Missouri Senate adopts COVID-19 liability bill, advances police/protester measure by John Haughey, The Center Square | February 24, 2021 01:00 PM Print this article (Onfokus.com Sebastien Cote/Getty Images/iStock)
The Missouri Senate Tuesday advanced two slates of priority Republican legislation with the adoption of a COVID-19 liability bill and preliminary approval of a measure enhancing protections for police and increasing penalties for unlawful protesters.
The COVID-19 liability bill, Senate Bill 51, sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, was approved Tuesday in a 20-13 vote, sending it to the House.
SB 26, filed by Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Springs, which includes a “law enforcement bill of rights” and increased penalties for traffic-blocking, monument-vandalizing protesters was “perfected” after lengthy debate and is ready for a Senate floor vote.
COVID-19 Liability Protection Clears Missouri Senate, Won't Take Effect Until August
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COVID-19 Liability Protection Clears Missouri Senate, Won't Take Effect Until August
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It is certain to be a session like no other.
Questions surrounding the state budget, funding for roads and bridges, education, local control and a myriad of other issues are on the agenda.
But the fate of each could ultimately be decided by COVID-19.
The virus already proved it can upend legislative proceedings in November, when positive cases among senators caused a special session to be postponed for weeks.
Now, with 197 lawmakers, hundreds of staff and a cadre of lobbyists, reporters and advocates descending on the statehouse for the next five months, legislative leadership understands the path forward is uncertain.