2023 Legislative Session Ends

Thinking back to January, I began the 2023 legislative session with a few goals in mind. I wanted to pass legislation to protect girls from unfair competition in school sports and create incentives to help Missouri businesses grow and prosper. As we bring this year’s session to a close this week, I’m happy to report we made progress on both of these goals.

In the final week of the session, the General Assembly passed and sent to the governor two bills relating to transgender youth. Senate Bill 39 prohibits transgender girls (who were born male) from competing in sports intended for biological females. Student athletes will only be allowed to participate in sports that correspond to the gender on their birth certificates. An exception is allowed for biological girls participating in boys’ sports when no program for girls is available. Also passed this week is Senate Bill 49, which prohibits gender-altering treatments or surgeries on children under the age of 18. The “Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act” mirrors legislation I introduced as Senate Bill 236. The transgender sports bill, SB 39, is similar to Senate Bill 2, which I sponsored as the “Save Women’s Sports Act.”

Also passing this week is my Senate Bill 94, which includes two measures I sponsored to spur economic development in Missouri. If you’ve ever wondered why movies are not filmed in Missouri, it’s because our state does not offer the kinds of incentives that lure filmmakers to other states. That will change with the passage of the “Show MO Act,” which is included in SB 94. Missouri’s previous tax credit for film production expenses lapsed in 2013, and began Hollywood’s exodus from our state. The incentives in SB 94 will create jobs and economic opportunities for Missourians by giving filmmakers a reason to base projects in the Show Me State. Also included in SB 94 is the “Entertainment Industry Jobs Act.” This measure is intended to attract touring musical groups and bands to a new facility being built near St. Louis. Expected to open in 2024, the 32-acre Gateway Studios campus will feature rehearsal studios, full-size sound stages, video production capability and stage construction facilities to meet the needs of world-class touring acts. The incentives included in SB 94 will go directly to artists who develop their touring act here in our state, employ local workers and perform at least two shows in Missouri. Not one dime of the incentives is available until the projects materialize.

Holders of commercial drivers’ licenses will no longer need to travel to Jefferson City to provide copies of their medical certificates now that Senate Bill 167 and 171 have passed the Legislature. The combined bill includes language I introduced as SB 171.

With one week to look over the numbers since the passage of Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget, I’ve had an opportunity to tally up the impact for the 21st Senatorial District. Including funding for education, correctional institutions and capital improvement projects, the state of Missouri will spend in excess of $273 million in the district next year. This does not include the money budgeted for Interstate 70 improvements.

I always strive to keep a tight rein on the state budget, but when money is available, I work to make sure my district gets its share. Highlights of District 21 spending include $166 million to fund K-12 classrooms and $8 million for State Fair Community College locations. The City of Marshall will receive $3.9 million for water infrastructure improvements and $1 million will go to improvements to the Cooper/Howard County Port. The veterans’ cemetery at Higginsville will receive $6.3 million for a new columbarium wall, while $1.6 million will be spent on campground improvements at Arrow Rock State Park. All told, state parks and historic sites in District 21 are budgeted to receive about $2.5 million. I’m happy to report next year’s budget includes $1.1 million for the Recovery Lighthouse substance abuse recovery program.

The 21st Senatorial District fared well in the budget. Between the capital improvements planned for our district and a $2.8 billion Interstate 70 improvement project passing through three of our counties, we should see tremendous economic activity for some time to come.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-4302. You may also email me at Denny.Hoskins@senate.mo.gov.