Missouri Senate

The Missouri Senate gave first-round approval to a pair of bills early Tuesday morning targeting transgender minors and athletes. It needs another vote in the Senate before moving on to the Missouri House.

The legislation, which includes blocking transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming health care like hormones or puberty blockers, had been held up with a filibuster over several days including more than 12 hours of debate from Monday afternoon to early Tuesday morning.

Before leaving for spring break, Missouri House Republicans called the first part of this year’s session successful. How much gets done during the second half, however, depends on how well both chambers navigate divisive bills.

Renewed bipartisan efforts to eliminate the sales tax on grocery food this legislative session have hit roadblocks.

A pair of bills were debated by the Senate education and workforce development committee aimed at expanding access to activities like sports and clubs to students who are homeschooled.

While the Chillicothe Republican believes politics played a part in renewing interest in who can own Missouri farmland, recent security concerns like the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the state may increase the bill’s chances of passing.

Members of the Missouri House adjourned for spring break on Thursday, while the Senate left the night before. The break marks the halfway point of the session.

Under the legislation, the governor would be able to appoint a special prosecutor for a period of up to five years in jurisdictions where homicide cases exceed a certain rate. Currently, only St. Louis falls under that requirement.

Missouri is one of just two states without a law that bans distracted driving for all motorists — but that could be changing.

A Missouri Senate committee heard two bills on Wednesday that would legalize sports betting. While one addresses only sports gambling, another also allows the establishment of video gaming terminals.