In December, it was reported that Missouri lawmakers had pre-filed a record number of bills for the 2022 legislation session that was to get underway on Jan. 5.

So far, though, only a handful of them have come up for a vote.

By the time the General Assembly paused on Thursday, March 10, for a one-week spring break, the House had passed a whopping 36 bills, including 16 approved on Thursday alone. The Senate had passed just eight, including five on Thursday. Only one bill has passed both chambers, a supplemental spending plan that includes pay raises for state employees and funds Medicaid expansion. The Missouri Scout news service notes that’s “the least number of bills passed by spring break maybe ever in history.”

Despite the leaden pace, NFIB continues to advocate on behalf of our members on key issues such as tort reform and COVID-19 liability protections for small businesses.

NFIB State Director Brad Jones said, “We remain hopeful that the General Assembly can eventually agree on legislation that helps Missouri’s job creators emerge from the economic slowdown that began two years ago when businesses sent workers home or closed temporarily in hopes of slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“With owners now contending with rising fuel prices, inflation, and a lack of qualified job applicants, we need the General Assembly to come together and pass legislation that enables small businesses to grow and create jobs,” he said.