Senator Mike Bernskoetter
6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release:
June 15, 2023

Capitol Building, Room 417
Jefferson City, MO 65101 

Contact:
Matt Morris ─ (573) 751-2076

Updates to the State Workers’ Pay Schedule

It was an exciting week here in Jefferson City as the governor signed several bills into law, including my Senate Bill 111.

Senate Bill 111 includes several provisions that will benefit our hard-working state workers. The law will enable state employees to receive their paychecks every two weeks, instead of twice per month. This moves our payment schedule in-line with a more common business practice, while providing more steady checks and predictable budgeting options for Missouri’s government workers. While this change will not be immediate, the Office of Administration is looking to implement the two-week pay schedule in the coming years.

This provision is identical to House Bill 131, which was also signed by the governor last week, and has been put forth several times over the last few years. I am excited to see the bill finally get across the finish line this year.

Senate Bill 111 also eliminates the state’s Personnel Advisory Board, with its current duties and responsibilities being given to the Director of Personnel Division and Commissioner of Administration, and makes the Director of Personnel Division an appointed position to be selected by the Commissioner of Administration.

The governor also signed two key pieces of legislation written with the intent to protect the children of Missouri and the sanctity of women’s athletics. Senate Bill 49, also known as the “Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act,” bans the use of puberty blockers, hormone treatments or surgeries to treat minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Senate Bill 39 requires athletes in K-12 and post-secondary school athletics, including public, private and charter schools, to participate in gender-assigned sports based on the gender on their birth certificate. Biological females will be allowed to participate in male sports if no separate competition is available for females.

It is always a proud moment to see legislation that I proposed and supported receive the governor’s signature. My colleagues and I spent many days, and often nights, working to identify, debate and pass changes that will be the most beneficial to the people and businesses of Missouri. I look forward to seeing more of our bills and resolutions reach this ultimate milestone.

Please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.