May Public Affairs Committee Report
By Heath Clarkston
Proposition A – Paid Sick Time Benefits becomes effective on May 1, 2025
Last November, Missouri voters approved a ballot initiative that increases the state minimum wage and establishes requirements on ALL employers regarding pad sick time benefits. Private retail and service businesses whose annual gross volume sales made, or business done is less than five hundred thousand dollars are also exempt.
Under Prop A, employees accrue one hour of “earned paid sick time” for every 30 hours worked. The hours do not need to be worked consecutively, nor do 30 hours need to be worked in one week. The employer is responsible for tracking the number of hours to which each employee is entitled. For employers with fewer than 15 employees, workers are entitled to use no more than 40 hours of paid sick time per year. For employers with 15 or more employees, workers are entitled to use no more than 56 hours of paid sick time per year.
The implementation deadline for this new law is May 1st. Per the new law, written notice of the “earned paid sick time” policy must be provided to employees by April 15, 2025 on a single piece of 8.5 x 11 paper in no less than 14-point font and include the following information: (1) employees accrue paid sick time at the rate of 1 hour earned for every 30 hours worked (2) employers are prohibited from taking retaliatory action against employees who request or use paid sick leave (3) employees have a right to bring a civil action if paid sick leave is denied (4) the contact information for the Department of Labor. A link to the mandatory notice can be found at: https://labor.mo.gov/media/pdf/earned-paid-sick-time-notice-ls-122
More information can be found on the Missouri Department of Labor website: https://labor.mo.gov/dls/proposition-a-paid-sick-time-benefits-faqs
Jefferson City Council Passes Affordable Housing Incentive Program
On Tuesday, April 22nd, the Jefferson City Council voted 8-2 to authorize a housing incentive program which will cost the city approximately $500,000. This program allows for a $5,000 reimbursement to housing developers for each new unit they build in Jefferson City. The program will be administered by the city and developments must be selected and approved by the city to be eligible for funding. The funding will not be provided until all construction is complete. The city has agreed to a first round of reimbursements for six developers to which they expect 112 housing units to be produced. The current round will require a certificate of occupancy to be completed by mid-2027. The council also created a “Residential Reimbursement Incentive Revolving Fund” in hopes of funding future housing incentive programs. This fund will receive monies from items such as permit fees, property taxes, and sewer connection fees. The HBA of Central Missouri submitted a letter in support of the program to the city council to help our community forward with affordable housing options in our city limits.
Results – Jefferson City Council Election on April 8th
On Tuesday, April 8th, Jefferson City voters elected one-half of their City Council in the municipal election. Only two of the five wards had a contested election. Shane Kampeter ran unopposed in ward 5 and is a new member of the council.
In ward three, Derek Thomas won his election by defeating Erica Choika. In ward four, Julie Allen won her election by defeating Kathi Harness. Thomas and Allen are both new to the council.
Jeff Ahlers (ward 1) and Aaron Mealy (ward 2) were both incumbents and were unopposed and will return to their posts in the new council.
First 100 Days of the Governor Mike Kehoe Administration
The week of April 21st marks the first 100 days of the Kehoe Administration. Highlights from Governor Kehoe’s first 100 days include:
Executive Actions: Governor Kehoe moved quickly to establish key priorities through executive action, reinforcing public safety and streamlining operations to better serve Missourians.
- Signed six executive orders on Day One, including efforts to combat illegal immigration and support law enforcement to officially launch his comprehensive Safer Missouri initiative and reaffirming the administration’s commitment to public safety.
- Eliminated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Missouri state agencies, ensuring compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law.
- Launched the forward-thinking School Funding Modernization Task Force and Workforce of the Future Challenge to align educational pathways with Missouri’s evolving workforce needs.
- Coordinated response and recovery efforts to ensure statewide readiness and support for communities affected by severe weather.
Legislative Achievements: Working in partnership with the General Assembly, the Kehoe Administration has already secured several legislative wins to enhance the lives of Missourians across the state.
- Signed House Bill 495, equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on crime and illegal immigration, while establishing a citizen board to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
- Signed Senate Bill 4, ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable power is generated right here in Missouri and supporting long-term economic development efforts.
- Approved the supplemental budget bill for Fiscal Year 2025, allowing current operations of state government to continue, while also strengthening education and special needs services and supporting law enforcement and senior care.
Gubernatorial Appointments: In his first 100 days, Governor Kehoe has made nearly 100 appointments to boards, commissions, the judiciary, and county-level positions— demonstrating a commitment to experienced leadership, efficient governance, and balanced representation.
- Appointed 74 Missourians to serve on various boards and commissions, including 12 appointments to university governing boards.
- Built out his administration’s Cabinet, with nine department leaders confirmed by the Missouri Senate.
- Filled eight vacant county offices.
- Six judicial positions have been appointed.
Workers Compensation Legislation Moves Forward
The Senate Committee on General Laws met Tuesday, April 15th to discuss House Bill 497, sponsored by Representative Brad Christ (R-St. Louis). The bill seeks to modify several provisions relating to workers’ compensation by clarifying the prevailing factors standards, to ensure injuries, medical conditions, and disabilities, and the need for treatment are truly the result of a work place accident and not preexisting conditions that may have been exacerbated. Also, adjusts how insurance savings are considered in awards, to prevent situations where employees receive compensation for medical expenses that were already covered by other sources. Third, the bill creates an early motion to dismiss mechanism for cases that are fundamentally deficient such as those filed untimely, employee was intoxicated, or the accident did not occur during the course of employment. MO Auto Dealers Association, MO Civil Justice Reform Coalition, MO Association of Counties, Associated Industries of MO, MO Insurance Coalition, MO Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MO Grocers Association, and the MO Retailers Association supported the bill. The MO Association of Trial Attorneys, and the MO AFL-CIO opposed the bill.
On Thursday, April 24th, the committee held an executive session and voted the bill “do pass” from committee on a 4-2 party line vote. The bill is now eligible to be placed on the Senate floor calendar.
Septic Tanks, Wastewater Treatment Systems Bill Passes House
On Tuesday, April 22nd the Missouri House voted 101-47 to third read and pass House Bill 200, sponsored by Rep. Bill Falkner (R-St. Joseph), a bill that originally dealt with sewage disposal, then its title was changed to environmental protections and took on numerous related amendments.
Currently, a Missouri standard for the location, size of sewage tanks, and length of lateral lines is based partially on the percolation or permeability rate of the soil, as well as other specified factors. The bill has new provisions for on-site septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems. The bill authorizes on-site evaluators, registered by the Department of Health and Senior Services, to conduct soil morphology tests or percolation tests under certain circumstances. Any person who intends to construct or make major modifications or repairs to an on-site sewage disposal system must submit a reasonable application fee and obtain a construction permit. The fee, currently $90 but the DHSS may now reasonably increase that fee, is to produce revenue not exceeding the cost and expense of administering the program. The bill has been sent to the Senate.