Status of major issues of 2007 session

The Missouri Legislature is to reconvene Monday following its annual spring break. Here's a look at where some issues stand:n AGRICULTURE

The Senate Agriculture Committee approved a bill banning local health and zoning ordinances regulating concentrated animal feeding operations. It awaits Senate debate.

• BUDGET

The House Budget Committee approved its recommendations for the state's $21 billion budget. House leaders plan to bring the budget up for debate in the next two weeks. A final budget is due May 11.

• CABLE TV

During the legislative spring break, Gov. Matt Blunt signed into law a bill making it easier for telephone companies to start offering video service in competition with cable TV companies.

• EDUCATION

The House defeated a bill that would have given tax credits to donors for scholarships to allow some Kansas City and St. Louis students to attend private schools.

• HIGHER EDUCATION

Senate Democrats used a filibuster to prevent a vote on a bill allowing the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to give the state money for college buildings. That bill also would set tuition caps and create more needs-based college scholarships. Senate leaders plan more debate.

• IMMIGRATION

The House approved a proposed constitutional amendment requiring English in official proceedings and a bill prohibiting illegal immigrants from attending state colleges. A Senate bill requiring that businesses verify the immigration status of new hires and that police check the citizenship of everyone they arrest has been heard in a committee but not voted on.

• MEDICAID

A Senate committee has approved an overhauled Medicaid program, called MO HealthNet, touted as placing a greater emphasis on preventing illnesses. Senate leaders say it will be debated in the next few weeks.

• MENTAL HEALTH

A Senate committee endorsed a bill making public more facts about the abuse and neglect of mental health patients and raising penalties for employees who don't report suspected cases. The bill, awaiting Senate debate, also mandates sprinklers in residential care facilities -- a response to a fatal fire at a group home.

• PHONE CALLS

The Senate passed legislation restricting automated phone calls and expanding the state no-call list to include cell phones and fax machines. The bill is now in the House.

• SEAT BELTS

A House committee endorsed legislation allowing police to stop motorists solely because they are not wearing seat belts, but the bill has not been debated in either chamber.

• SHIELD LAW

The House passed legislation granting the media greater protection from having to divulge anonymous sources or provide notes and unaired recordings when sought in legal proceedings. The bill is now in the Senate.

• SLAVERY

A House Committee approved a resolution apologizing for the legislature's role in permitting slavery in Missouri. It has not yet been debated by the House.

• STEM CELLS

Some lawmakers proposed constitutional amendments that would ask voters to reverse last year's voter-approved measure that protects the ability to conduct human embryonic stem-cell research in Missouri. They have not been debated in either chamber.

• TAX CUTS

The House passed a bill to exempt Social Security benefits and some pension payments from state income tax, but legislative leaders acknowledge it's too costly. The House also passed a gradual repeal of the state franchise tax for businesses that provide health care for their full-time workers. Both bills are in the Senate.

-- AP