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This week...

Senate Passes IP Reform After 20 Hour Democratic Filibuster

Senate Democrats filibustered for more than 20 hours beginning Monday afternoon and finally stood down when an amendment was offered to strip certain “ballot candy” provisions designed to entice voters to support the measure.

Nine Republicans ultimately joined nine Democrat Senators in voting to remove language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments, and foreign governments and political parties could not get involved in Missouri ballot measures.

Several Senate Republicans expressed a desire to see the House add those provisions back into the legislation. If passed, the legislation would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state’s eight congressional districts to pass a constitutional amendment via ballot initiative.

The Senate gave final first round approval of the bill Thursday by a party-line vote of 22-9.

House Passes Five Bills

The Missouri House of Representatives gave final approval to the following bills this week:

• - Tasks the Missouri veterans commission with expanding its efforts to prevent veteran suicide. .
• - Modifies provisions relating to criminal laws.
• - Modifies provisions for initiative petitions and referendums. .
• - Increases aggregate investment amount that the state treasurer may invest in linked deposits and changes disbursement criteria for eligible parties. .
• - Removes the requirement for county and city committee meetings to take place in the county seat.

Budget Bills Introduced in the House

A critical step in the annual state budget process occurred Tuesday when the appropriation bills to fund the state’s FY25 operating budget were officially introduced by House Budget Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage). 

No exact timeline has been set, but Rep. Smith will likely drop his committee substitute versions in the next week or so. The Budget Committee hopes to begin “mark-up” the following week beginning on March 4 and would like to debate and vote on the bills on the House floor before the legislative spring break, which begins on Thursday, March 14.

Candidate Filing Opens Next Week 

The candidate filing period for the 2024 elections officially opens Tuesday, February 27 and will run through Tuesday, March 26. Some of the notable candidates who announced their candidacy this week include:

• Senator Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), the Senate Appropriations Chairman, officially declared his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. .
• Representative Chris Dinkins (R-Lesterville) announced her campaign for the 27th Senatorial district. Right now, the district is represented by Senator Holly Thompson Rehder, who is vacating the seat to run for Lieutenant Governor. Representative Dinkins will face Representative Jamie Burger and local paramedic Jacob Turner in the Republican primary. .
• Representative Justin Hicks (R-Lake St. Louis) and former Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks (R) have entered the CD-3 race to replace retiring Congressman Blaine Leutkemeyer. The two gentlemen will face Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) and former Senator Bob Onder (R-St. Charles) in the Republican primary. .

��ҹӰԺ System Bills of Interest

• - Repeals provisions relating to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions of higher education. Heard in committee this week. UM System testified against the bill.
• - Modifies provisions relating to education assistance for members of the Missouri National Guard. Heard in committee this week. UM System testified in favor.
• - Modifies the "Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act". Will be heard in committee on Tuesday, February 27. UM System is opposed to this bill.

Dates of Interest

Tuesday, February 27: Candidate filing opens
Friday, March 1: Last day to file new bills in the House and Senate
Monday, March 18 - Friday, March 22: Spring Break
Tuesday, March 26: Candidate filing closes
Monday, April 1: Easter Break (no session)
Friday, May 10: Constitutional deadline to pass balanced budget for FY25
Friday, May 17: Last Day of Session
Wednesday, September 11: Veto Session