Schaefer: Updates on Bills Concerning Access Missouri Scholarships, Tobacco Settlement Agreement, K2 Ban

With the end of session quickly approaching, and the budget complete, the legislators have spent the last week discussing many important items on the Senate floor.

On Monday (5-3), Senate Bill 733 was debated on the floor. This legislation, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, has similar provisions to my bill, Senate Bill 784, which deals with the Access Missouri Scholarship Program. This bill would equalize the state scholarships granted to Missouri students for both public and private universities. The bill is now in conference committee, and I, along with Sens. Pearce, Rupp, Days, and Shoemyer, will discuss the bill sometime this week.

Senate Bill 884, regarding the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, was also discussed last week. On Tuesday(5-4), the bill was passed in the Senate, and was sent to the House for similar consideration on Wednesday. It was referred to the House Special Standing Committee on General Laws and was heard on Monday, May 10.

House Bill 1472, sponsored by Rep. Franz, was passed in the Senate on Wednesday (5-5). This bill is similar to legislation that I am sponsoring — Senate Bill 887, regarding spice cannabinoids, commonly referred to as "K2". While the original bill made the possession of K2 a felony, an amendment was added to the bill that changed it to a misdemeanor.

The bill was reported back to the House with the amendment, and will be discussed this week. The bill will either be passed as it is with the new language by the House or go to a conference committee consisting of members from both chambers. If approved, the bill will then go to the governor to be signed.

Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns involving state government, please contact my office.