With just two weeks remaining in Missouri’s 2024 legislative session, several critical business priorities hang in the balance.
Election year dynamics and a small group of obstructionists in the Senate have hindered progress in the legislature since the session began in January. Only six bills have made it to the governor’s desk as the session nears its conclusion on May 17.
Despite these challenges, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s governmental affairs team has worked fervently at the Capitol for the past several months to protect Missouri businesses. After weathering the longest-ever Missouri Senate filibuster to ensure the perfection of the essential federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) program, the team will continue to spend long hours in the Capitol over the next two weeks fighting for employers. As we make this final legislative push before the end of session, we need your voice to amplify our message.
Please review the issues below and use our links to urge lawmakers to take action.
The Missouri Chamber is supporting an innovative legislative package which would increase the capacity of child care providers and help businesses offer child care benefits to support the retention and recruitment of employees. Nearly 90% of Missouri voters believe increasing access to child care will help more parents succeed in the workplace.
Key legislation: House Bill 1488 by Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) and Senate Bill 742 by Sen. Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City)
Help pass this bill: Sign our petition and ask your lawmakers to address this economic issue for the state by offering three types of tax credits to help child care providers and businesses.
In the Missouri Chamber’s most recent CEO Survey, 90% of business leaders said public safety was either a top concern or a growing concern. The Missouri Chamber supports a wide variety of crime reduction measures, including penalties for celebratory gunfire, tougher criminal penalties for repeat and violent offenders, and clarifying the process to expunge records for minor, non-violent offenses.
Key legislation: House Bill 1659 and House Bill 1652 by Rep. Lane Roberts (R-Joplin), Senate Bill 754 by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville)
Help pass this bill: Sign our petition urging legislators to take action to address rising crime.
The FRA program includes taxes on certain medical providers and hospitals in Missouri. The program contributes more than $4 billion in direct and matching Medicaid funding to the state budget, and it plays an essential role in Missouri’s economic health by keeping hospitals open in both rural and urban areas. Without the program’s extension, our state would face an insurmountable budget hole.
This legislation needs one final vote in the Senate before it goes to the House for approval.
Key legislation: Senate Bill 748 by Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield)
Help pass this bill: Don’t allow the FRA to fall victim to politics. Ask your legislators to renew the program and ensure access to quality health care and hospitals.
Missouri’s outdated statute of limitations is creating costly delays in our state’s legal system. Currently, plaintiffs are allowed to delay filing personal injury lawsuits for up to five years in Missouri, while 25 other states have a two-year statute of limitations, including neighboring states Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas and Kentucky.
Key legislation: House Bill 1964 by Rep. Alex Riley (R-Springfield) and Senate Bill 853 by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville)
Help pass this bill: Tell your lawmakers to support this reform to help improve our legal climate.
Contact our team:
Kara Corches, vice president of governmental affairs, kcorches@mochamber.com
Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland, director of legislative affairs, hsutherland@mochamber.com
Phillip Arnzen, director of legislative affairs, parnzen@mochamber.com
