Missouri lawmakers up against deadline to pass legislation, governor priorities

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Lawmakers are wrapping up final attempts to pass legislation this week as the legislative session ends Friday. While legislators have addressed many of Gov. Mike Kehoe's legislative priorities, lawmakers are still working on some.

Senate Bill 971 would allow public school students to attend a school outside their home district starting in the 2028 school year. The bill is currently waiting on the Senate's informal calendar for perfection on Monday.

Senate Bill 838, another legislative priority for the governor, would allow the maintenance of electric transmission facilities within highway rights-of-way. This bill is backed by Sen. Mike Cierpiot (R- Lee’s Summit). The bill would also update Missouri's Renewable Energy Standard. It is on the informal calendar for a third reading in the Senate.

Senators have almost 60 House bills that are on the informal calendar for third reading. One of those is House Bill 3146, which would give the Secretary of State three tries to rewrite ballot language. This bill is closely modeled after Senate Bill 22, which a Missouri Supreme Court judge knocked down earlier this year.

The Senate also has over 30 of its own bills on the informal perfection calendar, and two bills on the formal calendar for perfection. That includes Senate Joint Resolution 97, which would put a 16-year term limit on representatives and senators between each chamber.

Lawmakers have already passed a few of the governor's legislative priorities, like Senate Bill 863, which would add a governor-appointed appeals board to the Missouri State High School Activities Association. This bill is waiting for Kehoe's signature.

That's along with HJR 173 and 174, which would phase out the state's income tax. Missouri voters will have the final say on whether it truly passes this fall when it appears on the ballot.