As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it is only natural to take a moment to reflect on the journey we have traveled over the past twelve months. The year 2023 has been filled with its share of challenges and triumphs, lessons learned, and moments of growth. Each experience has shaped us in unique ways, contributing to the tapestry of memories that define this chapter in our lives.

In looking back, let us celebrate the achievements, big and small, that have marked 2023.

In 2023, the Missouri House managed to pass a number of great bills. Here is a look back at some of the major legislative accomplishments from 2023:

Record Funding for K-12 Schools:

• Over $9.8 billion allocated for K-12 public schools

• $3.6 billion to fully fund the school foundation formula

• Additional $233 million for a total of $347 million to fully fund school transportation

• $29 million to raise the minimum public school teacher salary to $38,000

• $50 million for Close the Gap grants to address pandemic-related learning loss

Increased Support for Higher Education:

• More than $1.4 billion allocated for higher education and workforce development.

• 7 percent funding increase for state public colleges and universities.

• Full funding for scholarship programs such as Bright Flight, Access Missouri, and A+

• $38.3 million for MoExcels workforce development projects on college campuses

Strong Support for Law Enforcement and Public Safety

• $50 million for school safety grants.

• $2 million for the Missouri National Guard for recruitment.

• Improved Care for Missouri’s Vulnerable Population:

• $33.3 million funding increase for the Children’s Division, addressing foster care and child abuse.

• $78 million to expand childcare access and improve facilities.

Additional Budget Items:

• Funding for veterans’ homes, nursing home rate increases, and home and community-based services

• Investments in childcare access, employer staff wages, and healthcare staffing

• Support for broadband expansion, libraries, drug addiction treatment & autism research 

In addition to the budget, several strong pieces of legislation became law in 2023. Here is a look at some of the bills of interest passed this session.

• SAFE Act for Youth Protection - SBs 49, 236 & 164, collectively known as the SAFE Act, are designed to shield Missouri’s children from potentially harmful sex change drugs and surgeries. The legislation prohibits healthcare providers from performing gender transition surgery on individuals under 18 and restricts the prescription of cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs for gender transition in minors..

• Advancing Fairness in Female Athletics – SB 39 is aimed at promoting fairness and equal opportunities for female student athletes. This bill prohibits students from participating in athletic competitions designated for the opposite sex, as determined by their official birth certificates.

• Fostering Workforce Development - HB 417 is geared towards assisting employers in developing and retaining skilled workers. It establishes a competitive grant program to reimburse employers supporting their employees in obtaining short-term certificates or credentials essential to Missouri’s economy.

• Expanding Access to Physical Therapy - HBs 115 & 99 and SB 51 aim to promote individual choice in healthcare decisions by eliminating unnecessary regulations. These bills enable qualified physical therapists to evaluate and initiate treatment on patients without a prescription or referral in certain cases.

• Transitioning People off State Assistance - SB 106 and SBs 45 & 90 authorize a transitional program to help individuals gradually transition off state assistance as their income increases.

• Empowering Missourians with Disabilities - SB 106 and SBs 45 & 90 propose changes to the state’s Ticket to Work health insurance program, allowing individuals with disabilities to advance in their careers without fear of losing benefits.

• Protecting Against Unauthorized Medical Exams - SB 106, HB 402, and SBs 45 and 90 aim to prevent invasive medical exams on unconscious patients without their consent.

• Removing Adoption Tax Credit Cap - SB 24 proposes to expand Missouri’s adoption tax credit by removing the cap, making it refundable, and adjusting the per-child limit with inflation.

• Addressing Opioid Epidemic – SB 189, SB 186, SB 24, and HB 402 seek to make fentanyl test strips legally available in Missouri to help prevent contamination of medications with this dangerous opioid.

• Enhancing Cyberstalking Protections - SB 189 proposes the creation of a Cyber Crimes Task Force to strengthen state laws protecting individuals from online stalking.