Republicans maintain supermajority margins in both legislative chambers and the Governor’s office. As of December 13th, the legislature has already pre-fled 874 bills and resolutions for the 2022 session.
In the Missouri House of Representatives, Rep. Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold) is serving his final year of his final term in the legislature and thus is in his final session as the Speaker of the House. This September, the House Republican Caucus voted unanimously to name House Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher (R-Town and Country) as the Speaker-Elect for ’23. As Speaker-Elect, Plocher is set to ascend to the Speaker’s role in January of 2023. Plocher is a lawyer and currently manages a small firm in Clayton.
In the Missouri Senate, Senator Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan) will remain as President Pro-Tem and Senator Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) will remain as the Senate Majority Floor Leader. The Missouri Senate has become toxic as of late as three caucuses have formed that include the Republican Caucus (16 members), Democrat Caucus (10 members) and Conservative Caucus (8 members). Not a lot is expected for the ’22 session due to the upcoming election year politics and due to several members of the Senate running for federal offices. This is yet to be seen.
For 2022, the legislature will likely address several major issues and here is a list of legislation that is likely to take “center stage” when lawmakers return in January:
- Funding of Medicaid Expansion (HB 11)
- Spending authority for the $2.6 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
- Election Integrity and Voter ID requirements
- Medicaid cost transparency
- Congressional Redistricting (2020 US Census data)
- K-12 Education: Charter Schools, Scholarships, Parent Rights
2022 Likely Legislative Issues For MBA
- Property Tax Reforms on Residential (caps on increases)
- Foreign Ownership of Agriculture Property prohibitions
- Recording Fee Increases for Missouri Housing Trust Fund (currently $3)
- PACE lending reforms – County Collector fee and opt-out
- Foreclosure Issues, Data breach and Credit reporting restrictions
2022 Legislative Session Dates of Interest
December 1, 2021 – Pre-filing of bills
January 5, 2022 – First Day of Legislative Session
January 17, 2022 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No Session
February 21, 2022 – President’s Day, No Session
March 14-18, 2022 – Legislative Spring Break, No Session
April 18, 2022 – Easter Break, No Session
May 13, 2022 – Last Day of Legislative Session