As of today, there are 92 new laws on the books in Missouri.
All of them were passed by the Missouri House and Senate during the 2015 regular session, and all but two were signed by Gov. Jay Nixon. Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 24 by overriding Nixon's veto. That law shortens the lifetime eligibility for welfare recipients in Missouri to three years and nine months from five years. Although most of the provisions in SB24 officially take effect today, the shorter eligibility period won't kick in until Jan. 1, 2016.
House Bill 137 also becomes law today, which Nixon allowed to take effect without his signature. It modifies provisions within the competitive bidding process.
The new law that's probably generated the most headlines is Senate Bill 5, which enacts numerous reforms within the municipal court system in Missouri and further limits the percentage of revenue from traffic fines local governments can use in their budgets. It was sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale.
Other new laws include House Bill 515, which makes changes to the police retirement systems in St. Louis and Kansas City. Specifically, it finishes the transfer of police control from state to city in St. Louis by dissolving the board of police commissioners and transferring its duties to the chief of police and to the board of trustees for the police retirement system. It was sponsored by Rep. Mike Leara, R-Sunset Hills.
House Bill 501requires sex education materials to include information on sexual predators, online predators and the "consequences of inappropriate text messaging." It was sponsored by Rep. Genise Montecillo, D-St. Louis.
Other new laws include:
SB12 Modifies provisions relating to agriculture
SB18 Requires the Department of Revenue to notify sellers if there is a change in sales tax law interpretation
SB93 Creates the Campus Free Expression Act to protect free expression on the campuses of public institutions of higher education
SB210 Extends the sunset on certain healthcare provider reimbursement allowance taxes and modifies provisions relating to MO HealthNet and DSH payments
SB321 Allows victims of sexual assault to receive protective orders and modifies the definitions of sexual assault and stalking as they relate to orders of protection
SB334 Modifies provisions relating to the boards of regents of state colleges and universities and broadens the degree-granting authority of Harris-Stowe State University
SB336 Modifies provisions relating to income tax withholding on employees' tips
HB259 Creates the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act of 2015
HB269 Modifies the type of fire extinguishers required for class two motorboats
HB514 Authorizes sites containing former automobile manufacturing plants in St. Louis County to qualify for State Supplemental Tax Increment Financing
Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport
