JEFFERSON CITY—With a constitutional deadline some three weeks away, the fiscal year 2010 budget was the primary order of business for the Missouri Senate this week.
The Senate altered 12 of the 13 budget bills, which will likely be sent to a conference committee consisting of both Senate and House members. The conference committee is charged with working out the differences between the two chambers, before it sends the negotiated version back to the House, and then to the Senate, for final approval.
The Senate’s version of the 13 budget bills in total account for an approximately $23.2 billion operating budget for the upcoming 2010 fiscal year, which runs July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.
Education funding was one of the Senate’s priorities, with a $63 million increase for the K–12 public school foundation formula, as well as a $60 million increase in one-time funding to Missouri ’s four-year colleges and universities. Health care coverage was another focus as the Senate set aside nearly $147 million to provide health insurance to the uninsured.
The General Assembly is constitutionally required to pass the budget this year by 6 p.m., Friday, May 8.
Listen to the Senate Minute’s report on the FY 2010 budget.
Also this week, the Senate gave a first-round vote of approval to SB 363 , sponsored by Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington). The measure allows Missouri auto dealers to title and register the vehicles and trailers they sell and lease. The dealers would also be able to collect and submit sales tax on vehicles.
Another provision of the bill puts into law the governor’s policy of awarding fee office contracts through a competitive bidding process. SB 363 needs one more Senate vote before moving to the House for approval.
The Senate also gave several final votes this week, sending Senate Bill 207 , sponsored by Sen. Scott T. Rupp (R-Wentzville), to the House. The legislation requires businesses to notify Missourians when their personal or financial information has been compromised. Businesses would be required to disclose the type of information that was violated, discuss the steps being taken to protect further breaches and provide them with advice and contact information.
Also receiving final approval was SB 376 , sponsored by Sen. Brad Lager (R-Savannah), which creates the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act. The bill requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to allow electric companies to implement and recover costs related to PSC-approved energy efficiency programs. It also allows eligible energy customers to opt out of their electric company's energy efficiency program and not be charged for the associated costs.
Additionally, the bill requires utilities to annually report on their energy efficiency activities and list separately the costs associated with these programs on their customers' bills.
Senate Bill 306 , sponsored by Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles), also moves to the House after a final passing Senate vote. The legislation establishes the Show-Me Health Coverage Plan, which provides health care coverage through the private insurance market to 35,000 low-income Missourians. Funding for the plan would come from federal funds and existing hospital tax dollars and participation would be capped at five years. Eligibility requirements for the plan could potentially expand down the road to include another 200,000 Missourians.
Senate Bill 453 , sponsored by Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter), earned a second Senate vote. The bill changes the school funding formula so that money received from the repeal of casino loss limits, passed last November by Missouri voters, will go to students in Missouri classrooms. The bill would allow the funds to be disbursed more effectively through the existing Classroom Trust Fund.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) also moves to the House. Senate Bill 542 expands eligibility for the state treasurer’s Linked Loan Deposit Program and removes the current cap on investment returns through community banks.
House committees held hearings this week on SB 141, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Smith (D-St. Louis), and SB 93 , sponsored by Sen. Tim Green (D-St. Louis). The House Special Standing Committee on General Laws Committee heard SB 141, which helps protect presumed fathers from false paternity. Senate Bill 93, which establishes a drunken driving risk reduction awareness program involving signs being placed at the scene of drunken driving accidents, was heard in the House Crime Prevention Committee.
The Missouri Senate will reconvene at 4 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2009. The First Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly will run through Friday, May 15, 2009.
The Missouri Senate General Column is written on a weekly basis. To follow these and other issues being addressed by the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov . Visitors can track legislation as it passes through the General Assembly, learn more about their Senate district, and listen to streaming audio of legislative debate as it happens.
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