Agendas list

Lawsuit reform: Legislation seeks to restrict civil lawsuits by capping damages for pain and suffering and limiting so-called venue shopping by which lawsuits are filed in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions instead of where an injury or incident occurred. Status: Both chambers approved versions of the bill with the House proposal being the more restrictive. Neither chamber has taken up the other's measure.

Workers' compensation: The bill would tighten the definition of what constitutes a workplace injury eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Status: The House bill awaits action by a Senate committee.

Abortion: A House bill would impose a 24-hour waiting period on women seeking the procedure. A Senate bill would allow civil lawsuits to be brought against those who help girls circumvent Missouri's parental consent law by assisting them in getting an abortion in a state that has no such law. Status: Each measure cleared its chamber of origin and awaits action by the other body.

School funding distribution: Money generated by legalized gambling is currently distributed to schools through a formula designed to provide equity between rich and poor districts. This bill would remove that revenue from the formula, beginning with the 2005-06 school year, and divide it equally among districts on a per pupil basis. Status: While a top priority of House Republicans, the idea enjoys little support in the Senate, where it hasn't even been assigned to committee since the lower chamber passed it Feb. 20.

Fuel tax diversion: Constitutional amendment would ask voters to delete the existing provision that allows some fuel tax revenue to be used by state agencies other than MoDOT. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, which receives the bulk of the diverted funds, would be weaned off that revenue source over five years. Status: A proposed amendment cleared a House committee and awaits chamber debate.