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This week...

Candidate Filing for 2024 Elections Now Open

More than 400 candidates vying for public office in 2024 traveled to Jefferson City on Tuesday, the first day individuals could officially file to run with the Missouri Secretary of State's office.

The candidate filing period for the 2024 elections will remain open through Tuesday, March 26. See the .

Budget Update

The original timeline for the House to approve their version of the FY 2025 state operating budget appears to be slipping. House Budget Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) hopes to drop his committee substitute versions of the FY25 budget bills the week of March 11. The House intends to debate the budget bills on the House floor the week of March 25 (the week after spring break).

Senate Gives First-Round Approval to Six Bills

The Senate perfected six bills this past week, the most productive week they've had since session began. The bills still need one more vote before they can move to the House chamber:

• - Modifies provisions relating to the State Treasurer.
• - Modifies provisions relating to Public Safety.
• - Establishes the Missouri Rural Access to Capital Act.
• - Creates the Missouri Geospatial Advisory Council.
• - Modifies provisions relating to Cotton Trailers.
• - Provides for the levying of certain costs and fees to support the salaries and benefits of sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys, and circuit attorneys.

House Passes Five Bills

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

• - Modifies provisions relating to school bus endorsements. .
• - Modifies provisions relating to the taxation of pass-through entities.
• - Modifies provisions relating to video service providers.
• - Modifies permit requirements and exemptions in relation to Missouri fertilizer and clean water laws.
• - Modifies provisions relating to personal property tax valuations. .

The lower chamber also gave first round approval to , which would prohibit state Medicaid dollars from going towards Planned Parenthood, despite the fact abortion remains illegal in Missouri and a recent Supreme Court this sort of restriction. The bill needs one more vote before it goes to the Senate. .

Hearings of Interest

Both chambers held hearings on a number of bills this past week, including:

• Electric Utilities Deregulation: A bill to deregulate electrical utilities and give Missouri residents the option to choose their electricity provider was heard in the House Emerging Issues Committee on Thursday. ()
• Sales Tax: Legislation that would increase the amount of sales tax a county can levy by .5% was heard in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on Tuesday. ()
• Workers Compensation and Marijuana Usage: Legislation that would reduce access workers compensation if an employee's injury was sustained while on marijuana was heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Wednesday. ()
• 340B Federal Drug Pricing Program: Legislation that would prohibit insurance carriers from discriminating against hospitals who participate in the federal 340B drug pricing program was heard in the House Special Committee on Public Policy on Wednesday. ()

Dates of Interest

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