Senate Democrats Continue to Filibuster Gubernatorial Appointments:
This week, Senate Democrats continued to filibuster Governor Kehoe’s Gubernatorial Appointments. Democrats have insisted that they are attempting to return the Senate back to being a deliberative body. To read more on the filibuster, click here.
Committees of Interest
Several bills were heard and/or voted out of House and Senate Committees this week, including:
· Cannabis & Hemp Regulation: Legislation that would align Missouri law with federal limits on intoxicating hemp and related enforcement policies was voted out of both the House Crime & Public Safety Committee (HB2641) and Senate Judiciary & Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence Committee (SB904) this week.
· Medicaid Work Requirements: A bill (HJR154) that would ask Missourians to vote to add work requirements for Medicaid recipients to the state constitution was voted out of the House Legislative Review Committee this week.
· Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) Reform: Legislation aimed at protecting patients from predatory pharmaceutical pricing practices was heard in the Senate Families, Seniors & Health Committee this week (SB984, SB968). PBMs operate as middlemen between drug makers and pharmacies, determining rates that insurance carriers will reimburse pharmacies for certain drugs. The Senate hearing occurred just days after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a lawsuit against 19 PBMs and drug manufacturers over rising insulin prices.
Budget Hearings:
Next week, the House budget committee will conduct a review of the Governor’s budget proposals. Hearings are planned for:
· Higher Education (HB3)
· Social Services (HB11)
· Department of Agriculture (HB6)
· Department of Natural Resources (HB6) Hearing times and dates can be found here.
2026 Dates of Interest:
Wednesday, January 28: State of the Judiciary (10:30am)
Monday, February 16: President’s Day (No Session in the Senate, House will still convene)
Thursday, February 26: Last Day to File Bills in the House and Senate
March 12-22: Legislative Spring Break (No Session)
Monday, April 6: Easter Holiday (No Session)
Friday, May 8: Deadline to Pass a Balanced Budget for FY 2027
Friday, May 15: Last Day of Session
Wednesday, September 16: Veto Session
Reviewed 2026-02-03