Legislative roundup March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021 - There was a lot of legislative action in the Missouri House and Missouri Senate this week.

Bills addressing internet taxes passed both the House and Senate in final votes taken today. SB 153 (Koenig) passed the Senate by a vote of 28-4 and HB 554 (Eggleston) passed the House with a vote of 96-59. Both bills will now switch chambers: HB 554 will go to the Senate and SB 153 will go to the House.

The Senate transportation funding bill, SB 262 (Schatz) also received approval from the Senate today with a 21-13 vote to pass the bill and a vote of 29-5 on the emergency clause, which allows an early effective date.

Another tax bill that changes sales tax filing frequency passed the Senate today also on a 33-0 vote.

HB 138 (Pietzman), a bill requiring the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to assist permit applicants and HB 624 (Richey) that establish a "Show Me Success Diploma" in Missouri both passed the House and will move to the Senate.

In committee activity this week, the House Committee on Litigation Reform heard SB 51 (Luetkemeyer), the COVID liability protection bill. No vote was taken on the bill this week. A bill dubbed "Right to Repair" by supporters and "Right to Ripoff" by AIM and other opponents was heard this week in the House Agriculture Policy Committee. No vote was taken on that bill either.

The legislature is now on Spring Break and will return March 22, 2021.