Missouri House of Representatives

A Missouri House interim committee met last week and will hold four hearings around the state to listen to concerns and hear ideas for overhauling the system.

One lawmaker said Missouri runs the risk of becoming a "sanctuary state for pedophiles" if the General Assembly doesn't pass a bill that would give victims of child sex abuse more time to press civil charges against their abusers.

A bill that would have insulated Bayer and other chemical companies from lawsuits over cancer risks failed in the Missouri Senate, after bipartisan opposition arose. But there's little doubt that the legislation will return next session.

The Missouri General Assembly is beginning a special session today, with the primary mission of passing an incentive package for the two Kansas City teams. But after years of drama over new stadiums, and a looming deadline on the Kansas side, the stakes are high.

A big incentive package from Kansas is expiring soon, the Royals are investing in properties across the metro and lawmakers are already fighting among themselves. Will Missouri's General Assembly be able to reach an agreement and end the drama over stadium funding?

Revenue from marijuana sales has gone up, but fewer people are going to casinos in Missouri. That means funding that goes toward operational needs of the state’s seven veterans homes is still 'year to year to year,' according to lawmakers.

It's the first time in more than 70 years that the House has adjourned early. The session had been scheduled to end on Friday.

Bipartisan supporters of the bill say that nondisclosure agreements are often used to silence underage victims and prevent them from speaking out. The bill is named for Trey Carlock, who was assaulted at a Christian summer camp in Branson and later died by suicide.

The amendment, if passed by the Senate and then voters, would repeal the abortion rights amendment currently in Missouri's constitution, which voters just approved in November. Abortions would be illegal again in Missouri, with limited exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies.

Currently, it’s illegal to bring guns on public transit even with a concealed carry permit. Supporters of the bill say it would allow passengers to protect themselves and safeguard Second Amendment rights, but opponents say it will endanger passengers.

Video gambling machines already proliferate throughout Missouri despite formal gambling bans due to a legal loophole. Supporters of the bill say it would be more harmful to leave them unregulated.

The House's budget bill is $3 billion less than last year's budget, and includes raises for state employees and $375 million for school transportation. It now goes to the Senate, where changes are likely.