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The Final Week: Hourly update of the Missouri Senate

The Missouri Times is grateful for readers who followed our hourly updates during the final week of session. Please let us know if you have any feedback! Also, thank you John Combest who published links to both update pages each day this week.

If you have any feedback, email ashley@themissouritimes.com, or tweet us at @MissouriTimes. 

Friday, May 17

The Senate has adjourned for legislative session.

6 p.m. floor update

HB 76 — Sen. David Pearce pulled up his bill that would change the laws regarding the penalty for a school district that fails to meet the Missouri School Improvement Program in a fiscal here in which the school is underfunded.

  • –Sen. Eric Schmitt moved to add his education formula language to the bill, and was engaged in a back and forth with Pearce, who said the amendment would kill the bill. When Schmitt continued, Pearce pulled his bill.

HB 432 – By a 33-0 vote, the Senate passed legislation that would allow the Public Service Commission to intervene in federal cases regarding Missouri rate payers.

HB 320 — Legislation pushed by Senate Democrats that would institute protections against workplace discrimination and establish the Whistleblower Protection Act passed the body 19-11.

HB 382 —  By a 32-1 vote, the body passed this agriculture omnibus bill.

SB 282 — Legislation changing motor vehicle regulations passed the body 30-3.

  • Legislation that allows the state treasurer to maintain and protect lost military medals passed the body

 

5 p.m. floor update

House Bill 505 – The Senate sent legislation back to the House that would require mandatory reporters of child sexual abuse be reporter directly to the state. It also disallows people from blocking the reporting.

Senate Bill 114 — A point of order was raised on the conference committee report by Sen. Rob Schaaf that the report exceeded differences. Schmitt spoke against the point of order, stating he was told if he took out the retroactivity the bill that an agreement would be made. Schaefer, who leads the opposition of this in the Senate, spoke against it.

  • The point of order is under advisement while Dempsey takes the House and Senate versions of the bill and reevaluates. 

Senate Bill 51 — The Senate sent legislation back to the House that would modify rules governing local fee officers.  The bill would ban texting while driving for commercial drivers.

Senate Bill 210 – The body began to debate Sen. John Lamping’s Common Core standards bill.

  • Sen. Eric Schmitt stood to criticize the House for stripping language that would have established a panel to review the foundation formula. “I don’t know what anyone was thinking,” he said.
  • Sen. Holsman began to inquire Sen. David Pearce about the bill, at which point Lamping called to place the bill on the informal calendar.

4 p.m. floor update

House Bill 117 — Legislation reforming the initiative petition process passed the body 33-0. It is now headed to the governor’s desk.

House Bill 336 — By a vote of 32-0, the Senate sent legislation to the governor that would allow first responders to engage in political activity only if they are out of uniform.

House Bill 256 — This bill extending and modifying the Missouri Sunshine law was sent to the governor. It would open some gubernatorial flight records to more scrutiny.

House Bill 103 — By a 33-0 vote, the Senate sent Nixon legislation making a series of changes to transportation law. They already debated the bill earlier in the week.

3 p.m. floor update

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, held a press conference with reporters in the Senate lounge to discuss the accomplishments of the body and answer questions from reporters.

2 p.m. (late) floor update

House Bill 110 — The Senate passed legislation that would require a vacancy in the Lt. Governor’s office to be filled by a special election. The bill passes 24-8.

  • Sen. Kurt Schaefer passed an amendment that would require the election to take place within two years, not four, during the general election.

HB 1035 — Legislation relating to various criminal procedures passed the body 31-1. The bill modifies property tax rules, and would allow the City of St. Louis to deduct a percentage of property taxes collections for assessment costs.

House Bill 215 — This bill dealing with criminal procedure passed 31-1.

House Bill 152 — Legislation allowing schools to hire police officers (instead of relying in local police) to serve as resource officers was brought up by Sen. Will Kraus.

1 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

House Bill 301 — After Sen. Brad Lager completed his filibuster, the body began to debate HB 301, legislation which would make changes to the sex offender registry and modify electronic monitoring rules. The bill passed 28-4, with dissension from Sens. Kraus, Schaaf, Lager, Lamping,

  • Sen. Jamilah Nasheed offered an amendment that would establish a prisoner re-entry program for those who served time in prison. (Sen. Schaaf suggested the program be expanded past just St. Louis – proposal failed 16-14.)

12 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost and Eli Yokley)

Senate Bill 89 — A substitute was brought forward by Sen. Brian Munzlinger.

  • The substitute was adopted
  • The bill was third read and finally passed with a 34-0 vote.

Senate Bill 112 — A New Markets tax creed bill sponsored by Sen. Scott Rupp, R-St. Charles, who said the bill passed clean from the Senate from the beginning and came back from the House with “a whole slew of things.”

  • Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, inquired Rupp started by reading through the amendments, one at a time.
  • After a few minutes of animated discussion, Rupp withdrew his motion. He then sent it back to House for conference.

House Bill 698 — Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, brought up an almost identical tax credit bill immediately after, calling the moment “a critical point in this debate… Every year, someone is waiting for this fairy tale scenario to fall out of the sky”

  • Dempsey stood to quell some of the criticism of the House, calling them an “equal partner” in the debate.
  • Lager then stood to speak for a great deal of time about his “disappointment in the way that we govern.” In the House, he said it isn’t about members wanting to lead, “it’s about what they’re told to do.”

11 a.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

SJR16 — The one percent transportation tax increase was taken up by bill sponsor Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, who opened by discussing the history of the bill.

  • Kehoe inquired Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, discussed his family’s history with this issue, as his father and former senator Bill McKenna who served on the Highway Commission and now works for the Missouri Transportation Alliance.
    — McKenna addressed Sen. John Lamping, R-Creve Coeur, who has said he intends to filibuster this bill, saying he thinks it’s “sad,” and saying he thinks the importance to businesses and others is being ignored.
  • Kehoe inquired President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, who spoke in support of the transportation tax. He also took the opportunity to recognize Sen. Scott Rupp, R-St. Charles, for his work on Senate Bill 1, the Second Injury Fund.
  • Kehoe is getting in a few more remarks before he withdraws his motion to bring SJR16 to the body. Some senators — like Lamping and Sen. Ed Emery, R-Barton, were ready to filibuster.

HCR25 — The bill which establishes the Joint Interim Committee on St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area Governance and Taxation was brought in front of the body by sponsor Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Florissant.

  • The Senate Substitute was adopted by a voice vote.
  • The substitute for the HCR was third read and finally passed with a 32-1 vote. Nieves was the only no vote.

Thursday, May 16

9 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

After an hour of debate, the Senate passed HB307, which deals with fire protection district boards, by a vote of 31-0 and adjourned for the evening.

8 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

The Senate reconvened near 8 p.m. The body began to address HB 128, which would certain counties to send property tax statements electronically and modifies when penalties and interest will be imposed on delinquent taxes.

6 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Senate Bill 282 — Legislation failed the Senate Thursday afternoon that would

  • allow colleges to set some of their own traffic rules
  • remove some driver’s license suspensions if a fine is paid, and
  • strengthen laws protecting emergency workers while working on the roads.

Sen. Wasson moved that the bill be sent back to conference.



CCR Senate Bill 73 — Legislation passed the Senate Thursday evening that would make it illegal for law enforcement to set up checkpoints to specifically target motorcycle drivers. It passed the body 28-3.


The Senate refused to take the house position on the following bills and requested a conference:
  • HCS SB100
  • HCS SB24

Sen. Ron Richard moved than the body stand in recess until 7:00 p.m. for members to go to conference.

5 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

House Bill 116 — after nearly an hour of debate, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Bob Dixon that would modify the duties of the state auditor. The bill would be the biggest change in the office’s duties in 20 years, including removing the auditor from a commission he audits and modifying the rules relating to how the office audits the General Assembly. State Auditor Tom Schweich watched the bill pass from the visitor’s gallery.

Senate Bill 75 — the body sent legislation to the governor that modifies gun laws, including a provision that would require schools to teach a gun safe course to elementary school students and another than moves the duties of giving conceal carry weapons permits from the Department of Revenue to local sheriffs.

4 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Senate Bill 116 — The Senate spent a great deal of time considering legislation sponsored by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, that would revise the duties of the state auditor. Most notably, the bill would:

  • Require new financial
  • performance audits
  • Allow audits of the General Assembly only during the interim session
  • removes a requirement for the auditor’s office to get involved in campaign finance issues with the Missouri Ethics Commission
  • Includes the Senior Services Protection Fund language
  • included in a few different substitutes (it would be the second opportunity to move it to the House.)

1:20 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Senate Bill 251 — This legislation modifies provisions relating to child abuse and neglect including the Safe Place for Newborns. The bill passed 30-2, with opposition from Sen. Rob Schaaf and Sen. Brad Lager.

The Senate recessed and will reconvene at 3:00 p.m.

1 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Senate Bill 262 — The Senate passed what became a health insurance omnibus bill out of the body Thursday afternoon. The bill was carried by Democrat Kiki Curls. Her bill was originally a bill regarding telemedicine, but in conference, was loaded with a slew of amendments. It passed 28 to five.

Senate Bill 327 – The Senate passed legislation 33-0 that modified electronic monitoring for criminal offenders.

Senate Bill 118 — SB 118 establishes veterans treatment courts which would handle cases involving substance abuse or mental illness of current or former military personnel. The bill passed 32-0.

Senate Bill 42 — Legislation modifying rules governing law enforcement salaries and public jail debt passed the body 33-0.

Senate Bill 72 – Legislation that would designate May as Motorcycle Awareness Month passed the Senate 33-0. The bill now heads to the governor.

12 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Senate Bill 127 – The Senate passed Senate Bill 127, which makes changes to the MO Health Net program. Sen. Ed Emery stood for a while to criticize language that would extend coverage for individuals up to age 26, in line with the federal government. The bill passed 31-1.

House Bill 175 — The bill including various provisions related to collection of local governments funds passed the Senate 32-0.

Senate Bill 248 — The bill passed 33-0. It changes the rules governing Neighborhood Improvement Districts. It extends a rule to Jackson County to allow them to collect fees on the land and participate in foreclosures.

11 a.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Senate Bill 9 — SB 9, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, passed legislation similar to that passed by the House of Representatives last night that included many agriculture provisions, including land survey changes, changes to solid waste management districts, adjustments to the University of Missouri Extensions, and a career and technical education council.

  • The bill passed 31-1 and was sent to conference.

Senate Bill 17 — Senate bill 17, sponsored by Sen. Brian Munzlinger, would establish the Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council. It also includes provisions to change public retirement systems.

  • Sen. John Lamping used the bill to grandstand against common core standards for education. He spent the second half of the hour in an inquiry with Sen. Brian Nieves discussing core, as well as his hope for stronger public retirement plan reforms.
  • The clock is ticking, so every minute counts. 30 minutes or an hour is a real, measurable amount of time – at 11 a.m., the body had only 27 hours left.

Wednesday, May 15

Senate adjourned under the rules until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

8 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

Committee appointment:

Senate Bill 51 — Munzlinger, Kehoe, Libla, McKenna, LeVota

Senate Bill 256 — Silvey, Romine, Sater, Justus, Keaveny

Messages from the Governor (appointments)

House Bills on third readying

House Bill 117 — Wasson brings forward Senate Substitute regarding elections dealing with public hearings, online postings, ballot initiatives, disclosures, and more, according to Wasson. Those were issues voted on by the upper chamber already. Now the substitute changes punishments to misdemeanors from felonies. Wasson said the bill also includes two changes requested from the secretary of state.

House bill 986 — After ending abruptly last hour when a Medicaid expansion amendment was added, the bill was brought back up for third reading and final passage by Wasson.

  • Romine offering substitute amendment that, among many things, creates an interim committee that looks into Medicaid.
  • Nasheed thanks Romine for the amendment.
  • Senate approves HB 986 (32-0) – Extends sunset provision on the Ticket to Work Program to August 28, 2019 with emergency clause, according to the Senate Majority Caucus’ Twitter account

House Bill 428 — Wasson proposes the adoption of senate substitute for the bill which Allows an insurer that purchases motor vehicles, subject to liens, through the claims adjustment process to apply for salvage titles or junking certificates without obtaining lien releases, according to the bill summary.

  • Third read and finally passed with a 33-0 vote.

House Bill 103 — Munzlinger brought forward the bill which was third read and finally passed with a 33-0 vote.

— The emergency clause was passed 33-0.
Senate adjourned under the rules until 10 a.m. tomorrow.

7 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

House Bill 650 — The debate continued.

  • Debate on the amendment to the substitute amendment to senate amendment three — sponsored by McKenna —  ended 20 minutes into the hour and it was passed by a voice vote.
  • The substitute amendment (sponsored by Romine) to senate amendment three was also adopted by a voice vote.
  • Kraus offered Senate Amendment 4, which cuts administrative costs by 35 percent. Kraus said Schaefer isn’t happy and he sides with Schaefer.
    — Schaaf spoke on the amendment, noting 35 percent is a “middle ground” for the discussions being had.
    — Kraus said the amendment doesn’t set the tipping fee but allows the Department to promulgate the rules. Justus expresses concern the Department could potentially reduce the tipping fee on their own.
    — Kraus’ amendment failed with a voice vote.
  • Lager’s initial amendment passed with a voice vote.
  • Munzlinger motioned for the third read and final passage of the SS for HB650.
    — The bill was third read and finally passed — with an emergency clause — with a 22-10 vote. Many, if not all, Democrats voted no, plus some Republicans, including Kraus.
    — Emergency clause was adopted with a 24-9 vote.

Senate Bill 57 — Romine requests for the bill to be sent to the House for conference.

  • Motion carries with a voice vote

House Bills on third reading — Just less than 10 bills were brought up and all placed on the informal calendar before one was taken up.

House bill 986 — Wasson asked for substitute to be adopted. He explained the parts involved with the substitute, including a low-wage track portion that has a sunset dealing with “ticket to work.” Programs involved include First Steps.

  • Amendment was offered by Wasson that deals with in-home health care patients and HealthNet.
    — Chappelle-Nadal: “I don’t want to be in the situation we were in last week,” she said, referring to wanting to figure out where the $6 million that were needed would come from  in order to fund the programs discussed. She said she supports the bill but wants to further understand where the money will come from first.
    — Wasson said he would withdraw the amendment if Chappelle-Nadal was unable to receive the answer she needs.
    — Chappelle-Nadal inquired Schaefer, the Appropriations Chair, who said he would assume it could come from the General Revenue fund. Schaefer said things get passed “all the time” after the budget has been passed where, come August, they have to be funded, and they usually are by the GR fund.
    —Chappelle-Nadal rehashed her concerns with Wasson, who then withdrew the amendment
  • Nasheed puts a Medicaid expansion amendment forward.
    — Lamping inquired Nasheed, who said she “doesn’t give up a fight.” “The battle is not over until Friday.”
  • Wasson lays the bill over by placing it on the informal calendar.

6 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

House Bill 650 — The debate continued.

  • Schaaf continued the discussion.
  • Schaefer spoke against Lager’s amendment, saying “if you vote against the amendment as it stands, you’re voting against tax cuts.” He said before he spoke that he would be speaking while Sen. McKenna works on an amendment.
    — McKenna, who sides with Schaefer on the issue, was inquired by Schaefer shortly after 5  [You can see this provision is not so popular. If the solid waste districts are doing such a good job they should come & say so.]
  • McKenna proposes interim committee that would travel the state and further investigate the solid waste district operations. Dempsey semi-jokingly inquired of McKenna asking if he had any volunteers to do this without compensation/reimbursements. A few senators raised their hands. The committee would have 10 members — five senators and five representatives.
  • Lager inquired Schaefer while Kraus has an amendment drafted.
    — Lager discussed with Scahefer that McKenna’s committee is “the best compromise,” Schaefer said.
  • Wallingford requested standing division for the amendment, which was received. The amendment passed 33-0.

Sifton brought forward another amendment, which dealt with the Doe Run language that’s been on several other bills this session.

  • Romine offered a senate amendment substitute for Sifton’s amendment.
  • McKenna offered an amendment to the amendment substitute
  • Debate about the amendments and substitute amendments is ongoing.

5 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

House Bill 650 — The debate on Lager’s Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute continued with Schaefer being the first person inquiring of Lager.

  • Schaefer and Lager discussed their shared belief that the solid waste districts could be cut back. Schaefer said he received a copied email from someone involved in the solid waste districts that said to get rid of the cash on-hand as there’s talks of eliminating some districts in the legislature.
  • Senators Schaaf, Justus, Schaefer and others were involved in the discussion which is still ongoing.

4 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

*Apologies. Because of technological difficulties, the first 20 minutes worth of debate was lost. Will be sure to back up information during the future. 

3:25 p.m.

Senate Bill 161 — Pearce offered the Conference Committee Report for the bill which affects health insurance.

  • The Report was adopted.
  • The CCS was third read and finally passed.

House Bill 650 — Transfers the Land Survey Program to the Department of Agriculture and renames the headquarters of the Program as the “Robert E. Myers Building,” according to the summary language.

  • Munzlinger, the bill handler, moved for the Senate Committee Sponsor to be adopted.
  • Lager offering Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute which adds the Doe Run language, among other things, according to Lager, who read through a list of the changes.
    — Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, inquired of Lager, touting Lager’s work on the bill before he began to talk about the waste districts.
  • The debate is ongoing.

3 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

House Bill 184 — Allows Pettis County to use revenue from the county transient guest tax on salaries, according to the bill summary. Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, brought the Senate Substitute forward.

  • Senate adopts substitute by voice vote.
  • Dempsey asked for bill to be sent to the Committee of Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight

House Bill 611 — Federal mandate bill redefining “new hire employee” that could affect the state losing $200 million in TANF funds, according to the bill sponsor, Sen. Will Kraus.

  • Kraus moved for the adoption of an amendment to the Senate Committee Substitute, which Kraus said he’s worked with Sen. Scott Rupp, R-St. Charles, on. 
  • Senate Amendment 1 from Kraus was adopted by a voice vote.
  • Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, offered an amendment to allow Missourians who are unemployed that have to report to the unemployment office can do so through the internet.
  • Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Lewis County, offered an amendment regarding corrections employees.
    — Kraus expressed concern about the amendment jeopardizing his bill’s likelihood in getting signed.
    — Munzlinger withdrew the amendment.
  • The bill was sent to the committee of Government Oversight and Fiscal Accountability.

House Bill 142 — A utility bill involving ratemaking for water utilities and affecting energy efficiency programs. Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Florissant, offers the Senate Committee Substitute.

  • Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, offered an amendment that would phase out the solar rebate, alter the way the solar industry is taxed and changing the relationship between the solar industry and the utilities companies. 
  • Romine asks Lager, point-blank, if the initial SCS is a way to get water ISRS through, to which Lager said no.
  • Lager said all of the parties involved in this have touted their support of the bill.
  • The debate is still ongoing.

12 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

Senate Bill 330 —A professional license bill

  • Conference committee report was adopted with a 31-2 vote.
  • Bill was third read and finally passed with a 31-2 vote.

Senate Bill 33 — Lamping moved for the adoption of the committee report for the bill regarding service dogs for military veterans and and mentally-disabled children. Lamping notes this has been brought forward for the last four years.

  • Senator McKenna inquired of LeVota who didn’t sign the conference report. He said he had to leave the meeting earlier, but also was unhappy with things that were “stripped out” by the House, plus he said there are some additional complications placed on school districts
  • The committee report was adopted by a 32-0 vote.
  • The bill was third read and finally passed by a 33-0 vote.

Senate Bill 51 — Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Lewis, requested the transportation bill that had 16 amendments put on it in the House be sent to conference. He said he needed more time to sift through those amendments. The motion was approved by a voice vote.

Senate Bill 110 — Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla, requested the House Committee Substitute for the bill that deals with child custody issues.

  • Senator Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, asked about the House Amendment that was added to the bill, which Brown said rather than people involves with foster care having to get fingerprints redone every two years, the prints are saved by the Highway Patrol. 
  • Senate adopted House Committee Substitute with a 33-0 vote.
  • Senate third read and finally passed HCS for SB110 with a 33-0 vote.

    Click to enlarge the photo.
    Click to enlarge the photo.

Senate Bill 252 — Sen. Kraus brought forward House Committee Substitute that was previously passed out of the chamber with a 29-5 vote. Kraus said the House moved CCW permitting from the Department of Revenue to the county sheriff. The other changes are depicted in the photo, as they were handed out on a one-page document.

  • Chappelle-Nadal inquired of Kraus about a few additional changes during the process.
  • There was some stalling in order to figure out some details.
  • The HCS was adopted by a 26-7 vote.
  • Third read and finally passed by a 25-9 vote.
  • Emergency clause was adopted by a 25-6 vote.

Senate Bill 114 — Sen. Eric Schmitt moved to send the bill — with the “liquor war” bill attached as an amendment — to conference. The motion carried.

The Senate then moved to committee reports.

12:10 p.m. — Senate has recessed until 2 p.m

11 a.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

Senate Bill 125 — An education bill that has received some contention during the past, was “stripped of everything” that was confrontational in the House before it was passed in the lower chamber yesterday, bill sponsor Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis City, said.

  • There was a significant amount of clarification questions from senators Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Jolie Justus, Kiki Curls, Scott Sifton, Gina Walsh, Jason Holsman and Ed Emery. The majority of the questions were directed to senators  David Pearce and the bill sponsor, Nasheed.
  • Senate adopted the Senate Substitute with a 32-1 vote.
  • Senate third read and finally passed the bill with a 32-1 vote.

Tuesday, May 14

1 a.m. reporter availability update (By Ashley Jost)

Senate Bill 1 —Sen. Scott Rupp told reporters he has been working directly with Gov. Jay Nixon’s office and “they will sign it.” “They said we’re good,” he added.

SJR16 — Sen. Mike Kehoe said he hopes the bill comes back before adjournment Friday. “We need to let citizens decide what they want to do,” he said, adding that citizens elect them to “vet these issues.”

12:55 a.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)  

SJR16 — The filibuster continued.

  • Senators John Lamping and Will Kraus continued discussion at the top of the hour.
  • Lamping inquired Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Kansas City, who voted for the transportation tax originally but now he says he’s against it.
    — Lamping said there are many avenues to pursue a tax for the people who are wanting to pursue this.
  • Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, asked for the bill to be laid over at about 12:30 a.m.

Senate Bill 1 — The worker’s compensation and Second Injury Fund bill was brought forward around 12:30 a.m., and discussion began with the bill sponsor, Sen. Scott Rupp, R-St. Charles, discussing the conference report changes and the fact the report was signed by all conferees except Rep. Webber, who was out of town.

Click to enlarge the sheet.
Click to enlarge the sheet.

Minutes before the bill being brought forward, the committee report and a one-page sheet of changes to the bill were both passed out to the chamber and press. See the image for the one-page sheet of SB1 changes.

  • Sen. Scott Sifton spoke for the bill saying he thinks while there’s no such thing as a perfect compromise, this is a “fair deal.”
  • Conference Committee report was passed 32-1, with Sen. Kraus being the only “no.”
  • Rupp moves for SB1 to be third read and finally passed. “Before I close, thank you to the entire room… 32-1 is a pretty sound statement.” “I wanted to wait until Wednesday to pass this when no one would be wearing a seersucker suit,” he jokes.
  • The bill was third read and finally passed by a 33-1 vote.
  • Schmitt taking point of personal privilege to acknowledge Rupp’s work on SB1, especially with a recent loss in the family.

Senate adjourns under the rules.

12 a.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)  

SJR16 — The filibuster continued.

  • Senators John Lamping and Dan Brown continued the filibuster, starting the hour with Lamping reading a list of different taxes that Missourians pay.
  • Lamping inquired Schaaf.
    — Schaaf said he’d be ashamed to be part of a Senate who passed an $800 million tax.
  • Lamping inquired of Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, who was one of the other 10 “no” votes on the bill.
  • Lamping inquired Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, and begins by asking questions about the process of changing who is presiding over the body.
    — Lamping and Kraus discussed what other avenues there could be to get this issue on the ballot.
    — Lamping and Kraus transitioned to voter ID, citing past issue related to “Voter Protection Act” language, relating downfall to the current situation.

The debate is ongoing.

11 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

SJR16 — The filibuster continued.

  • Senators John Lamping and Ed Emery continued the filibuster, discussing their relationships with their colleagues and their shared concern for constituents at the top of the hour.
    — “It really bothered me that I had to look my friends in the face [and say I had to filibuster],” Lamping said.
    — Emery said while there can be an appropriate time for a tax to raise revenue, that doesn’t apply in this case. 
  • Lamping took the filibuster over for Emery, and immediately inquired of Sen. Dan Brown, R-Phelps. They began by talking about family, and continued to discuss different taxes and potential impacts on families.

10 p.m. two-hour floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Lawmakers continued debate on Sen. Mike Kehoe’s one-cent sales tax increase for transportation projects. Conservatives senators Ed Emery and Rob Schaaf stood up to filibuster for much of the hour, objecting to what they call a tax increase on most Missourians. Later during the second hour, Lamping helped carry the filibuster.

5 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

Senate Bill 114  — Debate about the home brewery bill, sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, with the liquor franchise language — or “liquor war” language — continued.

  • Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, continued his inquiry with Sen. Ed Emery, R-Barton, about the issue.
    — Emery is against, the bill, saying he is “on the side of the free market.”
    — “I know of no precedent of doing what we are asked to do.” Schaefer said.
  • Schaefer inquired Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, who said the micro-distillers in her district have expressed concerns as business owners and as consumers. Justus called this issue “one of the most difficult issues the Senate has faced this session.”
  • Schaefer inquired Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, who said, “I have zero sympathy for this issue,” adding he thinks one lobbyist is responsible for bringing it up.
  • Schaefer inquired Sen. Rob Schaaf, who began by saying “you’ve been talking for two and a half hours. Would you like me to take over for you?” to Schaefer, who took the opportunity.
  • Richard attempted to reject Schaaf’s motion to offer a substitute to have the House reconsider the amendment. Kraus, who’s presiding, denied the motion.
  • Schaaf began by acknowledging how many hours are left in the session, then continued by reading a letter from a winery owner including opponents of the legislation. He then read a list of federal cases that Major Brands had been involved in.
  • Schaaf continued the filibuster until Schmitt laid over the bill.

The Senate has recessed until 7 p.m.

4 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

Senate Bill 114  — Debate about the home brewery bill, sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, with the liquor franchise language — or “liquor war” language — continued.

  • Sen. Kurt Schaefer continued his inquiry of Schmitt against the bill. “Here’s what’s going to happen if we’re going to do this: we’re going to get sued,” Schaefer said.
    — “Here’s the other thing we haven’t gotten to yet,” Schaefer said. “Let’s talk about the competition. Let’s talk about the carve out.” Schaefer continued, asking how small retailers would make it to the shelf if they didn’t work with one of the two distributors in the state. Schmitt responded by saying Schaefer was making Schmitt’s argument for him. Continued to say explain the argument of being able to terminate if need be on ‘good cause.’
    — Schaefer said while he doesn’t agree with Gov. Jay Nixon often, “he got it right” with vetoing this bill the first time.
  • Schaefer inquired Sen. Dan Brown, who is also opposed to the bill.
    — “I guess I’m always going to ere on the side of less government regulation, fair market and more competition,” Brown said.
    — Schaefer said both Major Brands and Glazer’s, the state’s two distributors, are “good companies,” but “who really loses is the consumer.”
  • Schaefer inquired Sen. John Lamping, R-Creve Coeur.
    — Regarding last year’s liquor bill, SB837, Lamping said: “it didn’t pass the fair market smell test.”
    — Schaefer said he talked to Schmitt about taking the bill to conference to remove the “retroactive” portion, and Schmitt denied.
  • Schaefer now inquiring Sen. Ed Emery, R-Barton, who notes he thinks the judge “got it right.”

The debate is still in-progress.

3 p.m. floor update (By Ashley Jost)

Senate Bill 114  — The home brewery bill, sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, with the liquor franchise language — or “liquor war” language — added as an amendment, was brought forward when the Senate came back from recess at 2 p.m.

They first brought up the House Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield. The debate:

  • Schmitt began by telling other senators about the history of the franchise law dating back to the repeal of prohibition. “My plea for the Senate is if we want to change the franchise law in the the state, we ought to do it,” Schmitt said, referring to the most recent change coming from a federal court. 
  • Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis, asked and was allowed to be excused from the vote.
  • Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, spoke in favor of the bill. “It all started in Missouri, and there’s no reason it can’t end in Missouri.”
  • Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, inquired of Schmitt, saying the language turns back the clock on the issue. Schaefer said he doesn’t think the language is “clarifying anything.”

Debate is still in-progress.

12:30 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

HJR 7 & 11 (“Right to farm”) — The Senate passed the “right to farm” constitutional amendment. If approved by the House, the amendment would be put before a vote of the people. Six Democrats voted in opposition of the bill.

12 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

House Bill 533 —
Lawmakers stalled for a while to debate HB 533, legislation that would allow state workers to carry firearms in their vehicles while on the job. The legislation was carried by Sen. Brian Munzlinger. Sen. Maria Chapelle-Nadal attempted to add an amendment that would require gun owners to report the gun missing if it was stolen. The bill ultimately passed the Senate 26-7.

HJR 7 & 11 (“Right to farm”) — 
The body has taken up the so-called “right to farm” constitutional amendment. Sen. Paul Levota, D-Kansas City, said he was concerned the bill would become “puppy mills part two,” referring back to the drama surrounding the Prop B campaign in 2010.

11 a.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

HCR 16 — This bill, which passed the body 30-0, would honor the “Heroic service of women veterans.

Senate Bill 36 — The bill, which would allow juvenile offenders to remain in the juvenile justice system, passed 33-0.

Senate Bill 416 —  This legislation ,which would establish a two-tier system within the Kansas City retirement system, passed 32-0.

House Bill 510 — This bill that makes mild changes to LLC rules passed 32-0.

Senate Bill 221 — SB 221 would not allow individuals with certain drug offenses and those who “support terrorism” to hold a direct care position in the mental health system. It passed 31-0.

——-

Monday, May 13

12:30 a.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

The state Senate adjourned shortly after midnight, opting to layover Sen. Parson’s prevailing wage bill after more than three hours of debate. Parson said the bill was likely to come up again before lawmakers end session on Friday.

11 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Democrats continued their filibuster Monday night. Senators Brian McKenna and Jason Holsman took over for a while while Walsh slipped out to refresh. When asked how late the night would go, Senate aids simply said “late.”

10 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

House Bill 409 — Lawmakers moved to legislation that would modify prevailing wage rules. The legislation would weaken wage laws for some counties for projects relating to school maintenance. Democrats held up debate for much of the hour. Many of the Republicans had left the chamber, while Senate Democrats Gina Walsh and Scott Sifton engaged in an extended inquiry. The bill exempts Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, Cass, Clay, and Jackson and the city of St. Louis from its change.

9 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

The Missouri Senate resumed at 8 p.m. after attending the governor’s annual barbecue. For nearly an hour, the body went through a list of bills — including its Sunshine law language, HB 17, and Sen. John Lamping’s HB 99 — and sent them to conference committee.

Senate leaders expect to go till at least 10 p.m. tonight.

6 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

Senate recessed until 8 p.m.

Debate on SCS HB 103 stopped near 6 p.m. as lawmakers prepared to head to the governor’s annual legislative barbecue.

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Louis, said the body would come back later in the evening to discuss prevailing wage.

“We’re trying to help school districts with some of the maintenance work,” he said.

Dempsey said Sen. Scott Rupp’s changes to the Second Injury Fund for worker’s compensation would likely come up tomorrow. He said that Speaker Tim Jones’s bonding bill as well as reforms to the state’s criminal code and the institution of a photo ID requirement for voters would likely come up again next year, but would not get floor time this week.

Dempsey said there is a chance for some tax credit reform, but said the Senate and the House would have to come to an agreement on caps for low-income housing and historic redevelopment, as well as reforms to the land assemblage program if it were to move forward.

5 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

House Bill 339 — The Senate passed HB 339, legislation that would enact a “No Pay, No Play” law which would require uninsured motorists to forfeit recovery of noneconomic damages under certain conditions.” The legislation passed 32 to one, with Sen. Jamilah Nasheed being the lone dissenter.

House Bill 58 — HB 58, sponsored by Sen. Jay Wasson, requires vendors selling insurance for portable electronic devices to have specific brochures and actual policies or certificates of coverage available to prospective customers, deleting a requirement for vendors to provide them without request. The bill passed with no dissension.

HB 451: HB 451 would allow and establishes procedures for counties to decrease their annual budgets when faced with an unanticipated decline in funds.

  • Sen. Ryan Silvey attempted to attach an amendment to create the Senior Protection Fund, which would instruct the state treasurer to fund appropriate General Revenue funds for the First Steps program. Sen. Rob Schaaf called a point of order on the amendment, which was upheld by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who was serving as chair.

SCS HB 322 — The Senate passed legislation that would allow motorists to present proof of insurance on their mobile phone. The bill achieved no opposition from senators.

4 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

House Bill 116 — Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, spent much of the hour, leading debate on House Bill 116, legislation that would modify the duties of the state auditor. The bill would:

  • only allow the auditor to conduct financial audits of the General Assembly only with advanced notice between a first regular and second regular session of the General Assembly.
  • allow the auditor access to all “documents, files, property and facilities of any organization that pertain to money received or handled from the federal government, the state or any political subdivision.”

3 p.m. floor update (By Eli Yokley)

The Missouri Senate got off to a slow start on Monday, with just five legislative days left in the body’s first regular session.

Time has passed for Senators to introduce special guests, so when Sen. Brian McKenna wanted to introduce his son, Kellen, he had to do so through an inquiry from Sen. Jolie Justus. The Democrat, who has led the fight against the Wednesday “Seersucker Caucus,” interestingly dawned his son in a seersucker suit.

“I wanted to bring him on Wednesday so we could compare him to the some-17 senators who look ridiculous in seersucker,” he said.

House concurrent Resolution 28The body moved forward 33-0 on a resolution that would urge the Department of Defense to reconsider the reduction and realignment of Army forces at fort Leonard Wood which is proposed in the Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 The body also moved on sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, that would, in his words, “establish an interim committee to look at the foundation formula.”

The body began work on House bills for third reading, posting most of them on the informal calendar.

HB 116Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, then moved to adopt his legislation that would modify procedures relating to audits of political subdivisions and state agencies and allows counties to decrease their annual budgets when faced with a decline in funds.