JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – With the first half of the 2021 legislative session officially in the books, many bills are still working their way through the legislative process. Here is an update on a few widely watched bills. 

HB 349, sponsored by Rep. Phil Christofanelli:

• Establishes the “Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program”. 
• Allows students to draw scholarship funds in order to attend the school of their choice. 
• Approved by the House – awaiting action by the Senate.

HB 85, sponsored by Rep. Jered Taylor:

• Establish the “Second Amendment Preservation Act”.
• Declares any federal law or executive order to be invalid if it infringes upon Missourians right to keep and bear arms.
• If declared invalid, the law/executive order cannot be enforced by any public officer or employee of the state. 
• Approved by the House – awaiting action by the Senate

SB 458, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin:

• Establishes the “Missouri Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act”. 
• Declares it a Class E felony for any physician to perform or attempt a dismemberment abortion, except in cases of medical emergency. 
• Passed through committee and is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. 

HB 52, sponsored by Rep. Adam Schnelting:

• Allows concealed carrying of firearms on public transportation systems. 
• Allows the transporting of nonfunctional or unloaded firearms on public buses. 
• Approved by the House – awaiting action by the Senate 

SB 503, sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon:

• Establishes the “Save Women’s Sports Act”. 
• No athletic team or sport designated for females shall be open to students who were assigned the male sex at birth. 
• Will be heard in the Education Committee after the Senate resumes session. 

HB 738, sponsored by Rep. Don Rone:

• Allows the Secretary of State to audit the list of registered voters of any election authority.
• Makes it illegal to change election laws in the 26 weeks preceding a presidential election.
• Requires a photo ID to cast a regular ballot.
• Now awaiting final passage in the House before being sent to the Senate. 

SB 571, sponsored by Sen. Dave Schatz:

• Authorizes the Missouri General Assembly and Attorney General to review and prohibit implementation of any federal law deemed to be unconstitutional. 
• Will be heard in committee once the Senate resumes session. 

The General Assembly will resume session on Monday, so expect to see some movement with these bills soon.