Bills of interest introduced in the General Assembly
Abortion
This 2019 year in Missouri may mark extraordinary changes for the abortion question. There are 10 bills that relate to abortion so far this session. As you can well imagine, there is a wide range of bills from far left to so called far right. For example, the central idea of the “heartbeat bill”, HB 126 sponsored by Nick Schroder, states:
“Requires the use of a fetal heartbeat detection test prior to an abortion and prohibits an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected.”
Now, with Super Majorities in both chambers and the Governor office being Republican, this bill should have no problem being passed. The bill has been read for the second time but has not been placed on the house calendar for a hearing. Only three co-sponsors have signed on to this bill.
On the other side of the abortion debate is the HB 536 by Rep. Judy Morgan. The bill would “Establish the Respect Women’s Abortion Decision Act” This bill is self explanatory and has not been placed on the calendar for debate. Go to https://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB536&year=2019&code= for additional information.
Voting
Rep. Dan Stacy has several bills relating to changing how we vote. They are:
HB 26 – (0330H.02I)
Changes the law regarding primary elections
HB 27 – (0344H.02I)
Requires all state and federal offices to use an instant runoff voting method
HB 28 – (0345H.02I)
Requires all local elections to use an instant runoff voting method
HB 29 – (0334H.01I)
Modifies provisions relating to absentee voting
The summaries for these bills can be found at: https://www.house.mo.gov/
Education
Senator Cindy O’Laughlin has an exciting bill with SB 73 which requires local school districts and charter schools to identify students reading ability and provide interventions from K through 4th grades for those who fall behind. The bill also requires the authority to develop these plans will fall within the local schools rather than the State Board of Education. Find more about this bill at: https://www.senate.mo.gov/19info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=10
Procedures and Rules:
Rep Mike Moon Proposed the following:
*Form committees based upon member preferences (rather than appointments made by the Speaker or a staff member);
*Allow committees to elect chairs;