Weekly Column for May 30, 2019
Friday, May 17, marked the constitutionally-mandated end of the 2019 legislative session. Since then, non-partisan staff in the Missouri General Assembly have been working hard to prepare for bill signing day, which took place this week. During the final days of every legislative session, bills are often passed with numerous amendments and additions. Before these bills can be signed, staff must take these bills and review them to make sure that what is sent to the governor’s desk is what was actually passed.
On bill signing day, the president pro tem of the Missouri Senate and the speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives gather to sign each bill and resolution that was passed by the General Assembly. After receiving both signatures, the legislation heads to the governor’s desk for final consideration. If a bill includes an “emergency clause,” this process is completed during the legislative session, so the bill can immediately become law upon receiving the governor’s approval.
This year, lawmakers worked hard to truly agree to and finally pass more than 100 pieces of legislation. Each of these measures were approved by both the Missouri Senate and the Missouri House. Below is information on some of the bills and resolutions that received final approval from the General Assembly.
- Passed a plan to repair and replace hundreds of failing bridges across Missouri. $300 million in bonds, coupled with an aggressive repayment schedule, will accelerate $1 billion in road and infrastructure projects while minimizing interest payments (Senate Concurrent Resolution 14);
- Approved a comprehensive workforce development package to reinforce our state’s commitment to working families and job creators. Newly created Fast-Track grants will provide advanced career training and new skills to existing workers. The reorganization of existing economic development incentives into the Missouri One Start program will focus on training workers and partnering with employers who make long-term investments in Missouri (Senate Bill 68); and
- Implemented much-needed lawsuit and tort reform to streamline judicial proceedings and lower costs to Missouri businesses and consumers. Through these reforms, Missouri’s courts will no longer be considered a “judicial hellhole,” dominated by out-of-state trial attorneys looking for generous settlements (Senate Bill 224, Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 36).
This was my first session serving as the Senate’s president pro tem and it has truly been an honor to serve my colleagues in this leadership role. I’m proud of the work we were able to accomplish this session, and I look forward to continue serving in this position as we continue working to move our great state forward.
It is an honor to serve you in the Missouri Senate. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (573) 751-3678 or by email at dave.schatz@senate.mo.gov if you have any questions.