The Missouri legislature adjourned at 6:00 pm on May 13th with a total of 44 bills passed by both the Senate and House and now awaiting the signature of Governor Parson.  Division within the Senate resulted in several pieces of legislation getting stalled and several of the pre-session priorities just ran out of time and will have to wait until next year.

Some of the top bills passed this session:

• $49 Billion state budget: The largest budget in state history was approved, fueled by federal coronavirus related funding from the federal government.  Education saw gains with $2 billion in stimulus funding and full funding of the transportation formula for public schools totaling $328 million.  Increasing teacher pay was also included within the budget and Missouri’s public colleges and universities received extra one-time funding.
• Congressional redistricting bill: Senate Republicans clashed with each other but eventually settled on a revised map proposed by the House which would likely include six Republican districts and two Democratic.  The Senate then adjourned on Thursday evening, a day early, after passing the bill and ended any chance of any other legislative items being approved.  Because of the delay in approving the redistricting map, local election authorities will be challenged to update boundaries prior to the August primary elections.
• Voter ID Bill: Missouri voters will now be required to show a photo ID at the polls.  Those without ID’s can cast provisional ballots and their vote would not be counted unless they return the same day with a proper ID or if an election worker can verify their signature.  Ballot drop boxes will be banned and no-excuse absentee voting will be allowed up to two weeks before the date of an election.
• Fast Track Workforce Development Incentive Program Expansion: The last bill passed this session would expand the state’s Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program to include apprenticeships and certain training programs. Missouri is a nationwide leader in the number of apprenticeships completed.  Fast Track covers college tuition for eligible Missourians 25 years or older seeking a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high-demand field. It is an effort championed by Gov. Mike Parson. This legislation was a priority of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.
• Charter School Funding Change:  While the expansion of charter schools was thwarted again this session, charter schools in Kansas City and St. Louis will receive additional state aid in lieu of diverting local money that traditionally goes to public schools.

Issues that failed included sports betting, an abortion ban, an effort to overturn Medicaid expansion, and legislation that would have revoked the motor fuel tax increase passed by the legislature in 2021.