Missouri lawmakers return to work amid coronavirus pandemic

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday will begin what's guaranteed to be an unusual legislative session as the state continues its battle with the coronavirus pandemic.

Precautions will be in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19 during the Republican-led Legislature's roughly five-month annual session, although rules primarily apply to staffers and not lawmakers.

House and Senate administrative staff must wear face masks, for example. The Senate is limiting staff seating in committee rooms, and the House is allowing employees to work from home when practical.

Lawmakers are strongly encouraged to wear masks, but that's not required.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, who himself tested positive for COVID-19 but has since recovered, said healthcare and other essential workers are on the frontlines daily. He said lawmakers are “going to have to do the same thing" and find a way to work safely.

“Maybe by the middle of summer we might have this thing a little bit further behind us," Schatz said. “But until then I plan on us moving forward and continuing business in the best way we can.”

The Capitol is still open to the public. On days when the Legislature is in session, entrants will have their temperatures taken and be questioned about possible illness or exposure.

Public seating will be spaced out in House and Senate committee hearings for social distancing. The Senate also provides live audio streaming of its committee hearings and sessions, and the House livestreams video of its public meetings.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said Democrats plan to propose additional COVID-19 safety restrictions for House members, including mandatory face masks in shared spaces.

“As far as I have been told, it's going to be business as usual, which is obviously very unacceptable to me," she said.

Lawmakers also will focus on pandemic-related policies in their work.

Schatz said a top goal for Republican lawmakers is to pass a bill shielding businesses and health care workers from being sued for alleged misconduct related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an influential business association, are both pushing lawmakers to pass the policy.

Parson had added passing the bill on lawsuits to lawmakers' to-do list during a special session on federal coronavirus aid last year. He later dropped his last-minute request, instead leaving it to lawmakers to address during their longer annual session this year.

Several lawmakers this year have proposed checks or limits on local officials' ability to close businesses, require masks or issue other health-related orders.

One bill would allow mayors or other local executives to shut down businesses, churches, schools and public gatherings for up to 15 days at a time. Any longer than that and shutdowns would need to be approved by the city or county governing board, state health department or the Legislature. Another proposal would exempt churches and places of worship from social-distancing requirements.

Schatz said he's not sure how successful those proposals will be.

The governor will outline his policy goals and budget recommendations during a State of the State speech Jan. 27.