Missouri lawmakers pre-filing bills in legislature

Missouri lawmakers are giving us a first look Tuesday at the state issues that could come to a vote in the next year.

Tuesday was the first day state lawmakers were able to pre-file bills in the legislature.More than 150 bills had already been pre-filed by noon Tuesday.

A lot of the bills touch on hot-button issues. Missourians have already seen some of the bills being pre-filed before.

A bill that would abolish the death penalty was pre-filed Tuesday and one that would establish stricter guidelines for buying guns. Also up for discussion is a two cent gas tax increase for the state.

A bill that would outlaw reading, writing or sending text messages while driving was also pre-filed Tuesday. In Missouri right now that’s only illegal if the driver is under 21 years old. The bill has been filed in the past and did not make it far.

ABC 17 News will continue to follow the bills filed Tuesday. We’ll break down some of them starting on ABC 17 News at 5:00.