Missouri Legislative Session Opens Wednesday

Missouri state lawmakers are heading back to Jefferson City as the 2012 legislative session opens at noon Wednesday. Much like 2011, issues tied to job creation and managing a tight state budget figure to be front and center.

Lawmakers were able to prefile bills starting Dec. 1, 2011 for consideration in 2012. Below is a look at some of those filed by area state lawmakers:

State Senator Scott Rupp

• Senate Bill 448 — A bill which establishes "Sam Pratt's Law" and "Nathan's Law" and modifies provisions relating to child care providers
• Senate Bill 449 — A bill requiring the Department of Mental Health to develop a transition plan for services of residents of state developmental disabilities facilities to the most appropriate setting
• Senate Bill 450 — A bill which modifies the length of school board terms for certain school districts that became urban districts because of the 2010 census
• Senate Bill 483 — A bill which creates the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program for public high school students who graduate from high school early
• Senate Bill 484 — A bill which modifies the state do-not-call list and creates "paid for by" requirements for political phone calls

State Representative Chuck Gatschenberger

According to the Missouri House of Representatives, Rep. Gatschenberger has not prefiled any bills for the 2012 legislative session.