As the Legislature prepares to start its Spring Break later this week, key Missouri REALTORS® bills are in good position for positive action when lawmakers come back to work starting Monday, March 24.
Also, March 1 was this session’s deadline for filing new bills. So from now through session adjournment at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16,, the legislative process involves actions on the bills now filed, including amendments. Your lobbying team will be watching closely and weighing in with lawmakers about REALTORS® support or opposition as various measures are considered.
- SECTION 8: A Senate General Laws Committee hearing was conducted this week on Senate Bill 507 sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer, R-St. Charles County, prohibiting local governments from mandating landlords must accept Section 8 vouchers. A committee vote on SB507 is expected this week, which could advance it toward Senate debate when lawmakers return from Spring Break. Meanwhile, a similar House-approved measure, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 595 and 343, sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City, received a hearing in the Senate Elections and General Laws Committee, and it is also in position for a committee vote this week. Missouri REALTORS® lobbyists have testified in strong support of both proposals.
- CONSUMER PROTECTION: Legislation backed by Missouri REALTORS® to protect consumers is also in good position as the legislative Spring Break approaches. Senate Bill 478 by Sen. Curtis Trent and House Bill 596 by Rep. Chris Brown have the same goal – requiring those acting as a single agent for a buyer or tenant to enter into a written agency agreement with the buyer or tenant before engaging in specified activities. Rep. Brown’s HB596 was placed on the House Consent Calendar, indicating broad support. It is expected to receive a floor vote this week, and if it remains on the Consent Calendar, it is not subject to floor amendment. If the bill is sent to the Senate by a House vote before Spring Break, it would be in position for the Senate to review once lawmakers return. Meanwhile, Sen. Trent’s SB478 is scheduled for a hearing this week in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee, so it is also in a good position at this point in session.
- CITIZEN INITIATIVE PETITION POWER: Missouri REALTORS® lobbyists testified this week in the Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee in opposition to several Senate proposals that would make it harder for Missourians to use the direct initiative petition process to change the law or the Constitution. The proposals are Senate Joint Resolution 10, SJR11, SJR30 and SJR47. The same committee has also been referred a similar proposal, SJR60, but no hearing has been scheduled. Missouri REALTORS® are long-time supporters of protecting the citizen initiative process, which gives citizens a greater voice in government.