Dive into the pressing political issues shaping Missouri with insights from Senator Karla May.
Legislative Summary for the Week of April 14, 2025
This week in the Missouri Legislature saw significant progress on a variety of bills and resolutions, as well as heated debates over controversial measures addressing voter-approved laws and constitutional protections. Here’s an overview of the major highlights:
Key Senate Discussions
The Senate floor featured debates on several critical bills, including Senate Bill 240, aimed at modifying the allocation of state funds to regional planning commissions. Another contentious topic was House Bill 567, which sought to repeal Proposition A’s measures, such as raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2026 and ensuring paid sick leave for workers in certain private sectors. After an intense overnight session, opponents of HB 567 successfully delayed further movement, emphasizing their support for upholding the voters’ mandate.
Additionally, the Senate granted first-round approval for Senate Joint Resolution 40, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish four-year terms for county sheriffs, excluding certain urban counties like St. Louis City and County.
The Senate also passed a range of legislation, such as:
Senate Bill 80, which moved provisions concerning student-athlete compensation rights to a different legal section.
Senate Joint Resolution 46, aiming to authorize property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.
Senate Bill 360, which introduced the “Education Freedom Act” while modifying statewide assessment systems and school accountability.
Committee Actions
Judiciary Committee
The Judiciary Committee considered several bills, including:
Senate Bill 706, which would provide liability protections for charitable organizations reporting instances of sexual abuse.
Senate Bill 778, which seeks to establish “drug-free homeless service zones” within 300 feet of facilities serving homeless populations.
Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions, and Ethics Committee
The committee reviewed Senate Bill 666, introducing flexibility in how campaign finance filing notifications are sent, and Senate Joint Resolution 64, which would align the qualifications for attorney general, treasurer, and secretary of state with those required for the governor.
Appropriations Committee
The committee began detailed reviews of all 13 appropriations bills for the FY26 state budget, which allocate funding across key state departments like education, healthcare, corrections, and social services.
Other Key Legislative Updates
Abortion and Reproductive Rights
On April 17, the Missouri House advanced House Joint Resolution 73, a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal protections for reproductive rights approved under Amendment 3 in 2024. HJR 73 seeks to ban abortions with limited exceptions while also targeting gender-affirming care for minors. Critics argue the resolution undermines existing constitutional provisions, and a Senate filibuster is expected during future debates. If HJR 73 passes the Senate, it will go before voters in November 2026 or an earlier date set by the governor.
Judicial Review Limits
The House approved Senate Bill 22, which restricts judicial authority to amend misleading ballot language written by lawmakers or the Secretary of State’s Office. Judges will now only be allowed to rewrite ballot language after three failed attempts by the secretary of state to provide fair language. Additional provisions in the bill permit the attorney general to immediately appeal injunctions against state laws.
Missouri lawmakers continue to address a diverse and controversial array of issues, with debates highlighting the divide between honoring voter mandates and advancing new political priorities. Looking ahead, several of these measures are set to spark further deliberation both in the chambers and among the electorate.
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