2022 Legislative Session

The VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research (VIPER) Act introduced by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs could support medical advancements on prosthetics and mental health.

The bill signing Wednesday brings a conclusion to what’s likely the last legislative actions of 2022.

Lawmakers passed legislation last week that cuts Missouri’s income tax. Both bills now head to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk where he is expected to sign them.

The St. Louis Democrat also gave a preview of the 2023 legislative session – including whether the state’s abortion ban will become a big issue.

The most controversial of the bills that took effect Sunday put new restrictions on voting and voter registration, including a requirement to show a photo ID to cast a ballot.

The Creve Coeur Democrat is leaving the Missouri Senate due to term limits after the end of the year.

In addition to signing a record operating budget and nearly 40 other pieces of legislation, Gov. Mike Parson is calling for a special session to cut the state’s income tax.

Parson’s announcement comes after he vetoed a bill Friday authorizing a one-time, nonrefundable tax credit. On Thursday, he vetoed the $500 million allocated for the credit, foreshadowing a rejection of the credit itself.

Gov. Mike Parson also signed off on a record $47.5 billion budget but cut a $500 million income tax credit. And he signed a series of bills primarily focused on health care policy, including one that eases visitor limitations at health care facilities.

The elections bill was just one piece of legislation Parson signed into law on Wednesday. Others included funding charter schools, bills related to utilities and another barring homeless people from sleeping on state-owned land.