Mo. lawmakers to begin floor debate this week

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After two weeks of committee hearings, Missouri lawmakers are poised to begin debating legislation on the House and Senate floor.

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey said the chamber this week will take up a bill barring temporary leaders of state agencies from remaining in office for more than 120 days.

Dempsey said the Senate could also consider legislation that would implement performance-based funding for Missouri's four-year public universities. The funding scheme would only apply in years when higher education receives a budget increase from state government.

In the House, the first bill on the debate calendar would allow people with disabilities or on active military duty to appoint someone to represent them when they file for elective office.