Priority Bills Passed At Mid-Session - 2015

2015 Priority Bills Passed by the House to Date

Worker Freedom Legislation (HB 116 -- Burlison) - For the first time in Missouri's history a chamber of the General Assembly passed a Right-to-Work bill and sent it to the other side of the building. The bill simply gives workers the freedom to choose whether to join a union.

Voter ID Legislation (HJR 1 and HB 30 -- Dugger) - Two pieces of legislation - one a proposed constitutional amendment and the other a statutory change -- that would put in place a requirement designed to protect the integrity of the elections process by requiring voters to show photo identification before casting their ballots.

Medical Malpractice Reform (HB 118 -- Burlison) -- Would help keep doctors in our state and keep health care costs under control by restoring reasonable limits ($350,000) on medical malpractice non-economic damages.

Fiscal Year 2016 State Operating Budget -- $26.1 billion state operating budget that increases funding for K-12 education by $75 million to take total funding for public schools to the highest level in state history. Cuts governor's travel budget. Also five percent cut to most of OA.

Welfare Reform (SB 24 -- Franklin) - Adds new eligibility and work requirements for recipients of federal welfare benefits to help move them back to work so that they can become self-supporting and independent.

Education Reform (HB 42 - Wood) -- Addresses the school transfer issue to give the 62,000 children in failing schools the opportunity to receive a world class education. It would allow students in failing schools to move to better performing schools in their current district, or possibly attend a charter school or take advantage of a virtual school option.

Big Government Get off My Back Act (HB 32 -- Hoskins) -- Extends a program with a proven track record of success that has helped nearly 200 small businesses through the 2019 tax year. Legislation is already responsible for hundreds of good-paying jobs.

Unemployment Reform (HB 150 -- Fitzpatrick) - Strikes a balance to ensure Missourians have access to unemployment benefits when they are out of work while also protecting Missouri's job creators from excessive taxes and fees. Ties unemployment benefits to the unemployment rate and requires the unemployment fund to have more cash on hand

Dairy Revitalization Act (HB 259 -- Reiboldt) - Legislation designed to revitalize Missouri's struggling dairy industry that has seen more than 2,500 dairy farms close their doors in the past decade. Includes a dairy producer margin insurance premium assistance program to provide financial protection to dairy farmers when times get tough, and a scholarship program to encourage young people to pursue careers in agriculture.

Safety Standards for Clinics that Provide Abortions (HB 190 - Swan) -- Legislation designed to improve the safety at Missouri's only clinic that provides abortions -- the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis.

Pay Increase Rejection (HCR 3 and HCR 4) - One of the first actions of the session was to reject a proposed pay increase for elected officials.