Legislative Actions and Information for the Week of March 25, 2019
| On The Floor
The Missouri Senate debated Senate Bill 19 on March 25. This bill increases penalties for certain crimes committed against emergency service providers and reduces the opportunity for individuals found guilty of these crimes from receiving bail, probation or parole. Senator Nasheed strongly supports emergency service providers like law enforcement officers, but was deeply concerned by the harsh penalties included in this bill. For example, by denying probation and parole for someone who was resisting arrest, Sen. Nasheed worries that these offenders could spend more time in prison than those who have committed rape or other serious crimes. Senator Nasheed led the effort to defeat this bill, and ultimately, the bill was laid over. On the floor, Senate Bill 65 was also discussed. This bill deals with punitive damages. Senate Bill 65 states that punitive damages shall only be awarded if the plaintiff proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others. Senator Nasheed does not support this bill, believing it will only make it harder for people to sue and receive the payment they are owed for being harmed. This bill was discussed at length by several members of the Missouri Senate and was laid over as well. Bills and Committees Senate Bill 22 – This bill has heard in the Senate’s Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on March 25. It requires the discovery phase of a trial to begin only after the defendant has been taken into custody and has been arraigned. After arraignment, this legislation allows certain disclosed documents that contain personal identifying information to be redacted from public view. Senate Bill 22 also allows the last known addresses of individuals the state plans to call as witnesses to go undisclosed. Senate Bill 203 – This bill allows for action to be taken against a property owner whose property is a nuisance after 45 days of inaction, rather than the current 60 days. It was approved by the Senate’s Progress and Development Committee and is now on the Senate calendar for bills for perfection. Senate Joint Resolution 22 – This proposed constitutional amendment requires any changes to the Missouri Constitution regarding the form of government for one or more counties, cities or towns to be approved by a majority of voters in the affected area in order to go into effect. Practically speaking, if this proposed constitutional amendment is approved by voters, any merger between the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County that modifies the state constitution would have to be approved by a majority of city and county voters in order to be implemented. A hearing is scheduled for SJR 22 for April 3 at noon. Appropriations The Missouri House of Representatives has approved its version of the state’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year. As the 13 budget bills make their way to the Missouri Senate, the Senate’s Appropriations Committee will spend the coming weeks analyzing this budget and making changes to it. Other News Missouri House Approves $29.23 Billion State Budget The Missouri House of Representatives approved its version of the state’s operating budget for the upcoming 2020 fiscal year. One of the notable aspects of the House budget is that it calls for $100 million in general revenue for road and bridge construction. Historically, funding for road and bridge projects has come exclusively from dedicated state revenue sources, such as the fuel tax and vehicle licensing fees, as well as federal transportation dollars. With uncertainty about the state’s revenue collection, the Missouri Senate may have to scale back spending in the upcoming budget. Missouri House Grants Initiative Approval to Closed Party Primary Bill The Missouri House of Representatives gave initial approval to House Bills 26 & 922. These combined bills would close the primary system in Missouri, requiring voters to register in advance as a member of a particular political party in order to participate in that party’s primary. Missouri currently has an open primary system and does not require party registration to vote in primaries. House Gives Green Light to Eliminating Some Vehicle Inspections The Missouri House of Representatives sent to the Missouri Senate House Bill 451. This bill would eliminate vehicle safety inspections for cars and trucks less than 10 years old or that have fewer than 150,000 miles on them in order to be licensed. Under existing law, vehicles more than five years old must undergo a safety inspection before its owner can obtain or renew license plates for it. Minimum Wage Legislation Moves to the Senate Legislation that exempts private schools from paying employees the current statewide minimum wage was approved by the Missouri House on March 27. House Bill 763 would allow private schools to pay employees the state’s previous minimum wage of $7.85 per hour instead of the current $8.60 hourly wage approved by voters in November of 2018. House Bill 763 now heads to the Missouri Senate for further consideration. |