[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6324939,"mediaKeyId","2335254-5cb45a496d5828cdf3fc3bedebf5abc9","parentId",2335254,"title","House votes to shorten personal-injury statute of limitations for future claims, adopts extension for child-abuse filing window","audioSeconds",695,"startMs",6473000,"endMs",7168000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335254-5cb45a496d5828cdf3fc3bedebf5abc9&start=6473&end=7168","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335254-5cb45a496d5828cdf3fc3bedebf5abc9/thumbnail_6473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324939/Missouri/House-votes-to-shorten-personal-injury-statute-of-limitations-for-future-claims-adopts-extension-for-child-abuse-filing-window","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324939-04c7b0f378efa8536cef69341291ab84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770429939&Signature=MQ0pnBxRnh~qPCfsm7mXCTbLAI0x1PFbkP~Kd5uCazHC8HL41E-tNLMRCf7LEKHo47W1YdqD~WR6jYXdY~lSOBgbFx4-RUk2I553u7vzWIJLMn06duULgHTljcO~4erGCiVFEVRUzmi9ZIigYFxIzX8xWdbNKwQlYyQA7I3R7VO0owGG1V2wPg-0awJ6-Ozu1TTTuraOxHuCH-bYOeMrVEeYZX6~YxAx7iOHJuGN~k4Oa~~vpeDTpKhlwuPuOYJ4QbLsqdfOH4Z1bcVPoIpnq7nu0dDvmt0nnantUeaqshwegZ-2320TOGqb0N782FSmaPSVI-oIf6N-J2NjQbbviA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Missouri State Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Missouri House on Tuesday voted to shorten the statute of limitations for personal-injury suits filed after the bill’s effective date and adopted an amendment that extends the window for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil claims.

Representative from Douglas, the bill sponsor, said House Bill 68 reduces the limitations period for new personal-injury claims from five years to two years and emphasized that 45 other states use shorter limitations periods. He said the bill will prompt quicker resolution while preserving discovery standards that allow claims to accrue only after an injury is, or should reasonably be, discoverable.

During floor consideration the House adopted a separate amendment introduced by Representative from Taney that changes the filing rule for adult survivors of child sexual abuse: the amendment extends the statutory window so victims can sue until age 41 (20 years after the current age-21 cutoff). Representative from Taney said the change will provide additional time while he prepares a more comprehensive bill on non-disclosure agreements and other barriers faced by survivors.

Opponents cautioned that cutting general personal-injury deadlines from five to two years will not reduce litigation but instead could drive earlier filings by plaintiffs or create rushed claims filed before injuries are fully developed. Several members who practice law or represent plaintiffs said shorter limits would increase litigation and add malpractice pressure on attorneys who must file quickly to preserve clients’ claims.

Votes and next steps

- Motion: Order House Bill 68 perfected and printed (as amended).
- Mover: Representative from Douglas.
- Recorded votes: House Amendment 2 (extension for adult survivors of child sexual abuse) adopted by recorded roll call 49 yes, 0 no. The House later ordered H.B. 68 perfected and printed as amended (voice votes used for perfection and printing steps).

Why it matters

The change narrows the timeframe for most personal-injury suits filed in Missouri after the bill’s effective date while creating an exception that lengthens the time available to adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Supporters say aligning with the majority of states promotes quicker fact-finding and fairer outcomes; opponents say the shortened deadline may force premature filings and make settlements and early resolution more difficult.

Speakers

- Representative from Douglas — bill sponsor (government)
- Representative from Taney — sponsor of the child-abuse amendment (government)
- Several members (plaintiff and defense attorneys) and lawmakers representing both urban and rural districts participated in debate (government)

Authorities and legal references

- legal_concept: discovery rule / \"capable of ascertainment\" standard (referenced_by:[\"HB68 debate\"]) — sponsors said accrual would depend on discoverability

Clarifying details

- amendment_detail: {\"category\":\"child-abuse amendment\",\"detail\":\"House Amendment 2 extends adult survivors' filing window to age 41 (20 years after age 21)\",\"source_speaker\":\"Representative from Taney\"}
- vote_detail: {\"category\":\"roll_call\",\"detail\":\"House Amendment 2 adopted by recorded vote 49-0\",\"source_speaker\":\"clerk\"}

Proper_names

[{\"name\":\"House Bill 68\",\"type\":\"other\"},{\"name\":\"House Amendment 2 (child abuse window extension)\",\"type\":\"other\"}]

Community_relevance

- geographies:[\"statewide\"]
- impact_groups:[\"injured plaintiffs\",\"adult survivors of child sexual abuse\",\"defense insurers\"]

Meeting_context

- engagement_level:{\"speakers_count\":18,\"duration_minutes\":160,\"items_count\":1}
- implementation_risk:\"low to medium\" (statutory change; litigation effects will unfold)
- history:[{\"date\":\"prior sessions\",\"note\":\"Similar limitations discussions have surfaced in previous sessions; child-abuse amendment draws on earlier bipartisan bills\"}]

Searchable_tags:[\"HB68\",\"statute_of_limitations\",\"child_abuse_amendment\"]

Provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"10013.325\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":84,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"I move that House Bill 68 be ordered, perfected, and printed.\",\"global_start\":10013,\"global_end\":10023,\"tc_start\":\"01:47:53\",\"tc_end\":\"01:48:13\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"11561.681\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":96,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"The gentleman from Douglas has renewed his motion for the perfection printing of house bill 68 as amended.\",\"global_start\":11561,\"global_end\":11564,\"tc_start\":\"01:59:25\",\"tc_end\":\"01:59:28\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},

salience:{\"overall\":0.64,\"overall_justification\":\"Statutory change that affects civil filings statewide; includes a survivor-focused amendment that extends filing window\",\"impact_scope\":\"state\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Modifies limitations rules for state courts\",\"attention_level\":\"medium\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Significant to legal community and survivors; less visible to general public\",\"novelty\":0.5,\"novelty_justification\":\"Most states use shorter limits but pairing a general shortening with a survivor extension is notable\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.45,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Changes take effect for future claims; survivors' amendment was prioritized in session\",\"legal_significance\":0.72,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Directly alters accrual timing of civil claims; discovery doctrine retained\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.02,\"budgetary_significance_justification\":\"No direct budgetary impact on the floor","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Four - Tuesday, February 18 (Chamber)","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers voted to reduce the statute of limitations for future personal-injury claims and adopted a separate amendment extending the filing window for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Supporters said the change modernizes Missouri law; critics said shortening the limit will increase early, unvetted litigation and harm plaintiffs.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MO, Missouri","taxId",77693,"location","Missouri","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324943,"Missouri House advances bill shielding pesticide makers from certain \"failure to warn\" claims; emotional floor debate",2880,3416000,6296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335254-5cb45a496d5828cdf3fc3bedebf5abc9&start=3416&end=6296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335254-5cb45a496d5828cdf3fc3bedebf5abc9/thumbnail_3416000.jpg","/articles/6324943/Missouri/Missouri-House-advances-bill-shielding-pesticide-makers-from-certain-failure-to-warn-claims-emotional-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324943-5bbbf1143bd98e40fdb049499c087d35/orig.mp4?Expires=1770429939&Signature=eA6YnKHUhcN6~c81n57FjNT2r8Zytddqumbx8Oz8e-zMvniglSWOLBNgSoXl9E8ZjA7oLP~skzfg7CeqKfvHrn6Ozmj0WcQJxfXjnz0MBdVORKPeu0rPYrWYj7kE2s~Y~bBYALlK6LOSSXFdWgYmtX5d2esF~DuYWVD-TbGLfB1P-uJHo-JdSFf60mfaUndxI0pPyrHAYDsjiLAPDNDpGW4165Ng3dWg4dXNqSrfWN7PhdumqtIOBIdUUuSXzpL9Jja5YnKGYo4JodGA-Uacn~BcwCsE~GAL7WoJ4DNM~AX6rPlhKAAJgHCGmu8eZrozLNDOqt~nh3i08uRiaf4g5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missouri House moved forward Tuesday with legislation that would restrict some state-level liability claims against makers of registered pesticides and other agricultural products, focusing debate on the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s registration process and recent litigation involving glyphosate-based products.

Representative from Bates, the bill sponsor, framed House Bill 544 as a measure to protect agricultural supply chains and sustained investment in crop-chemical research. He said the bill “promotes a process that we rely on” and pointed to the federal registration and re-registration framework under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which he described as the global ‘‘gold standard’’ for pesticide review.

Opponents stressed the human and medical stories behind litigation against large manufacturers. Several members and witnesses described cancer diagnoses and family medical hardship, and Representative from Jackson warned the measure “takes away that debate” for people harmed and urged caution before making Missouri the first state to enact comparable limits. Members raised the 2018 Cole County civil jury finding mentioned in committee testimony and asked whether removing a path to a failure-to-warn claim would deny victims a meaningful day in court.

Floor exchanges also covered technical legal matters and regulatory precedents. Lawmakers debated the relevance of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifications, California’s Proposition 65 rulings and the EPA’s re-registration and labeling process; the sponsor and other proponents said EPA findings and label approvals provide a national baseline and that states should not create conflicting private-law standards that would curtail product availability.

Floor action and votes

- Motion: Order House Bill 544 perfected and printed; agree to bill title.
- Mover: Representative from Bates.
- Votes: Members recorded a previous-question vote while considering the bill earlier in the sequence (previous question: 103 yes, 50 no). The House later agreed to order House Bill 544 perfected and printed by voice vote.

Why it matters

The bill would change how certain product-liability claims are treated in state court by recognizing EPA registration and labeling as a central regulatory standard. Supporters say the change preserves farmers’ access to crop protection tools and encourages R&D investment in the United States; opponents argue it diminishes accountability for manufacturers and removes a remedy for people who say they developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or other illnesses after exposure.

Speakers and testimony

- Representative from Bates — bill sponsor (government)
- Representative from Boone — opponent and plaintiff-attorney (government)
- Representative from Buchanan — testified about personal health impacts (government)
- Multiple producers, scientists and farm-industry witnesses appeared in committee and were referenced on the floor (nonprofit/business/citizens)

Authorities and references

- statute: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (referenced_by:[\"HB544 debate\"]) — sponsor cited EPA registration and re-registration authority
- other: IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classification reports (referenced_by:[\"HB544 debate\"]) — discussed in committee and on floor
- other: California Proposition 65 litigation and rulings (referenced_by:[\"HB544 debate\"]) — cited in floor exchanges

Clarifying details

- product_focus: {\"category\":\"products discussed\",\"detail\":\"Debate repeatedly referenced glyphosate-based herbicides and broader pesticide classes; exact product names are referenced in committee but the bill text applies to registered pesticides generally\",\"source_speaker\":\"Representative from Bates\"}
- litigation_volume: {\"category\":\"litigation\",\"detail\":\"Sponsor referenced a high volume of pending cases (the sponsor cited roughly 50,000 cases in Missouri during debate)\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Representative from Bates\"}

Proper_names

[{\"name\":\"Environmental Protection Agency\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act\",\"type\":\"statute\"},{\"name\":\"IARC\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Bayer\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Cole County case\",\"type\":\"court_case\"}]

Community_relevance

- geographies:[\"statewide\",\"rural farming districts\"]
- impact_groups:[\"farmers and agricultural workers\",\"residential users of herbicides\",\"people diagnosed with cancers alleging exposure\"]

Meeting_context

- engagement_level:{\"speakers_count\":30,\"duration_minutes\":280,\"items_count\":1}
- implementation_risk:\"medium\"
- history:[{\"date\":\"2024\",\"note\":\"Bill topic echoed litigation and committee hearings from prior sessions\"}]

Searchable_tags:[\"HB544\",\"pesticides\",\"glyphosate\",\"FIFRA\",\"product liability\"]

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salience:{\"overall\":0.71,\"overall_justification\":\"State-level product-liability change affecting agriculture and major manufacturers; lengthy debate and committee testimony\",\"impact_scope\":\"state\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Potentially affects state tort claims and agriculture supply chains\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Emotional personal testimony and technical regulatory discussion\",\"novelty\":0.6,\"novelty_justification\":\"Sponsor said no other state has enacted identical language; committee and floor testimony examined that claim\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.55,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Legislative session timing and pending litigation make timing relevant\",\"legal_significance\":0.78,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Would alter availability of a common tort claim (failure to warn) where EPA registration exists\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.12,\"budgetary_significance_justification\":\"No direct budget line on the floor; potential indirect effects on farm costs\" ,\"public_safety_risk\":0.22,\"public_safety_risk_justification\":\"Debate about exposure and health but primarily civil-law effect\",\"affected_population_estimate\":500000,\"affected_population_estimate_justification\":\"Broad statewide agricultural and residential exposure; approximate\",\"affected_population_confidence\":0.4,\"affected_population_confidence_justification\":\"Estimate based on statewide agricultural employment and pesticide users\",\"budget_total_usd\":0.0,\"budget_total_usd_justification\":\"No explicit fiscal note discussed on floor\",\"decision_deadline\":\"not specified\",\"decision_deadline_justification\":\"Legislative schedule governs next steps\",\"policy_stage\":\"perfection\",\"policy_stage_justification\":\"House ordered bill perfected and printed\"},

engagement_forecast:{\"newsworthiness\":{\"national\":0.18,\"regional\":0.55,\"local\":0.65,\"justification\":\"Regulatory and liability change could interest regional agricultural press; national attention possible because of major manufacturers\"},\"notify_recommendation\":{\"audience\":\"state\",\"reason\":\"Statewide implications for agriculture, manufacturer liability and health claims\"},\"predicted_interest\":{\"national\":0.18,\"regional\":0.55,\"local\":0.65,\"justification\":\"Regional agricultural stakeholders will be most engaged\"},\"predicted_click_through\":0.14,\"predicted_click_through_justification\":\"Readers with agricultural ties will click to learn legal changes\"},

graph_signals:{\"jurisdictions\":[\"US-MO\"],\"jurisdictions_justification\":\"State action with national-company relevance\",\"ontology_topics\":[\"agriculture\",\"product_liability\",\"regulatory_law\"],\"ontology_topics_justification\":\"Bill references pesticide regulation and civil claims\",\"entities\":[{\"id\":\"epa\",\"name\":\"Environmental Protection Agency\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"id\":\"bayer\",\"name\":\"Bayer\",\"type\":\"business\"}],\"entities_justification\":\"Referenced in testimony and debate\"}","After extended floor debate the House ordered House Bill 544 perfected and printed. Sponsors said the measure protects agricultural supply chains and manufacturing investment by deferring to EPA registration; opponents and several lawmakers testified it would limit accountability for people who say they were harmed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324948,"Missouri House approves bill to place St. Louis police under locally appointed commission amid heated debate",4218,1278000,5496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335254-5cb45a496d5828cdf3fc3bedebf5abc9&start=1278&end=5496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335254-5cb45a496d5828cdf3fc3bedebf5abc9/thumbnail_1278000.jpg","/articles/6324948/Missouri/Missouri-House-approves-bill-to-place-St-Louis-police-under-locally-appointed-commission-amid-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324948-1c13d0be8f088971d1f0087ee29a0371/orig.mp4?Expires=1770429939&Signature=EXygOsinMTjjxGbTCII-Gkq9vJDudfJ5XgK9Fb0ocDMpykRFrBtOJB818npPYHf05Tw5X4Wpbicl3ig8SD0mOez~DSTq01bek-EDf-liHbkvzWVIMfoqA5u1nBfnife4gNZMjYY6EfL~Toq-neWLlFyVc8otMszd2-UM3xl3hLpeng9xe8LbAT37RKgI358YG256DwlWCQE6DwgHcaF6~pHJBkFfHBVx~EgCN-approccEHVOLmXEtQGVP2F20E1DJDz1IRRP2Dz~N1mXg6ird-L0prA3-KZf8cxQ2YeAoHh3OFFwIKcfAO~IplGhVnLby-7j1xbcJieCqDirmogUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missouri House on Tuesday approved a public-safety omnibus bill that includes a provision to create a five-member board to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, replacing the current mayor-led arrangement. Representative from Saint Louis County moved the House Committee Substitute and said the measure is intended to “take politics out of policing” and restore morale in the department.

Supporters told the chamber the change would recreate post-150-year local oversight and provide stability for the department. Representative from Saint Louis County said the measure also contains other public-safety provisions — adding fentanyl to child-endangerment offenses, increasing penalties for child trafficking, renewing an ankle-bracelet alert requirement and creating a school-safety committee under the Department of Public Safety — and argued the package would “create a foundation for a safer Missouri.”

Opponents, including multiple lawmakers who represent St. Louis, said the takeover provision removes the authority the city chose in a 2012 vote and transfers control to officials effectively appointed under state law. Representative from Jackson argued the bill combines a politically charged takeover with other public-safety items and urged sending the measure back to committee so local leaders and citizens could weigh in on additions made in legislative review. Representative from Saint Louis City argued the city has restored morale and improved public safety under its current mayor and police chief and that returning control to outsiders would be unfair to voters.

Lawmakers sparred over crime data and police morale throughout the debate. Sponsors cited a decline in sworn ranks, a drop in patrol funding and more than 500 businesses leaving the city since 2019, while opponents emphasized recent reductions in homicide and other major crimes reported by police and national associations. Several members described conversations with rank-and-file officers and police unions; proponents said the Fraternal Order of Police and the Ethical Society of Police had strongly supported the bill in committee, while critics said many city residents and local officials opposed state intervention.

Representative from Jackson proposed a house amendment to submit the question to a public vote; the amendment was defeated on a voice vote. Later in floor action, the chamber adopted House Committee Substitute number 2 for House Bill 495 and ordered it perfected and printed. A recorded vote taken earlier in the sequence showed 104 yes and 48 no on a related question (recorded during floor consideration). The House then agreed to the committee substitute and moved the bill forward.

The debate repeatedly separated discussion from formal action: members raised procedural concerns about the timing and notice for legislative-review amendments and whether all additions had been subject to committee hearings; others described directions they expected the bill to produce, such as increased morale and possible funding changes under the Kansas City-style statute referenced by sponsors. No implementation dates or specific funding commitments were included on the floor; supporters said some changes would align the department with statutes used in other Missouri cities, while opponents said those changes could impose new state responsibilities on local budgets.

What happened on the floor

- Motion: Adopt House Committee Substitute number 2 for House Bill 495 (motion to adopt the committee substitute and send the substitute to perfection and printing).
- Mover: Representative from Saint Louis County.
- Vote: Recorded vote during floor consideration showed 104 yes, 48 no on a question related to the substitute; the chamber adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed (voice votes were also used during successive steps).
- Outcome: approved

Why it matters

The provision would change how the St. Louis Police Department is governed by replacing the mayoral oversight model with a locally appointed commission structure defined in the bill text. Supporters say the change will improve recruitment, morale and steady funding; opponents say it would override a city referendum and reduce local democratic control over policing policy.

Speakers

- Representative from Saint Louis County — bill sponsor/handler (government)
- Representative from Jackson — floor opponent (government)
- Representative from Saint Louis City — floor opponent (government)
- Representative from Saint Louis County (second speaker/defender) — supporter (government)
- Representative from Warren — supporter (government)
- Representative from Saint Charles County — supporter (government)
- Representative from Saint Louis City District 79 — sponsor of an amendment (government)
- Representative from other Missouri districts who spoke for or against the bill (government)

Authorities

- statute: Kansas City statute Amendment 4 (referenced_by:[\"house bill 495 debate\"]) (NOTE: referenced on the floor as a funding/structure precedent)
- other: quo warranto language (referenced_by:[\"house bill 495 debate\"]) (floor discussion referenced quo warranto removal language added in legislative review)

Clarifying details

- population_change: {\"category\":\"population change\",\"detail\":\"Sponsor cited a decline of about 40,000 residents since Feb. 2019 (about 13% decline)\",\"approximate\":true}
- businesses_left: {\"category\":\"business departures\",\"detail\":\"Sponsor said over 500 businesses have left the city since Feb. 2019\",\"approximate\":true}
- officers_left: {\"category\":\"police staffing\",\"detail\":\"Sponsor said over 1,000 uniformed officers have left the police force\",\"approximate\":true}
- patrol_budget: {\"category\":\"patrol budget\",\"detail\":\"Sponsor said the 'patrol budget' has been decreased by 'tens of millions'\",\"approximate\":true}
- provisions_list: {\"category\":\"bill provisions\",\"detail\":\"Adds fentanyl to child endangerment statute; increases child trafficking penalties; renewal of ankle-bracelet alert provision to 2034; creates school safety committee; organized retail theft changes; juvenile point system changes\",\"source_speaker\":\"Representative from Saint Louis County\"}

Proper_names

[{\"name\":\"St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Department of Public Safety\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Fraternal Order of Police\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Ethical Society of Police\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Kansas City\",\"type\":\"location\"},{\"name\":\"Saint Louis City\",\"type\":\"location\"}]

Community_relevance

- geographies:[\"City of St. Louis\",\"St. Louis County\",\"Kansas City\"]
- impact_groups:[\"residents of St. Louis\",\"rank-and-file police officers\",\"business owners\"]

Meeting_context

- engagement_level:{\"speakers_count\":25,\"duration_minutes\":210,\"items_count\":1}
- implementation_risk:\"medium\"
- history:[{\"date\":\"2012-02\",\"note\":\"City of St. Louis voted to shift police oversight to mayoral control; floor debate referenced that vote\"}]

Searchable_tags:[\"police governance\",\"St. Louis\",\"public safety\",\"HB495\",\"local control\"]

Provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"1278.865\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":60,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"I move that house bill 4 95 be ordered, perfected, and printed.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:21:18\",\"tc_end\":\"00:22:38\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"5488.21\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"The house committee substitute as adopted. Gentleman from Saint Louis County.\",\"tc_start\":\"01:31:28\",\"tc_end\":\"01:31:36\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},

salience:{\"overall\":0.78,\"overall_justification\":\"Large-city governance change with statewide attention; extended debate and roll-call votes; funding and public-safety consequences\",\"impact_scope\":\"state\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Directly changes governance of a major city police department and affects statewide public-safety statute references\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Heated floor debate, roll-call and division of members\",\"novelty\":0.45,\"novelty_justification\":\"Similar takeover proposals have been introduced previously but remain politically contentious\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.65,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Immediate effect if enacted and likely local political response\",\"legal_significance\":0.70,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Changes governance structure and cites quo warranto language and statutory precedents\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.55,\"budgetary_significance_justification\":\"Sponsors mentioned possible changes to patrol budgets and state funding implications\",\"public_safety_risk\":0.62,\"public_safety_risk_justification\":\"Debate centers on staffing, morale, and crime statistics\",\"environmental_impact\":0.01,\"environmental_impact_justification\":\"Not applicable\",\"affected_population_estimate\":300000,\"affected_population_estimate_justification\":\"City of St. Louis population-scale impact\",\"affected_population_confidence\":0.6,\"affected_population_confidence_justification\":\"Estimate based on city population; bill affects city-level governance\",\"budget_total_usd\":0.0,\"budget_total_usd_justification\":\"No explicit funding line items specified on floor\",\"decision_deadline\":\"not specified\",\"decision_deadline_justification\":\"Floor action advanced bill; legislative calendar governs next steps\",\"policy_stage\":\"first_reading\",\"policy_stage_justification\":\"House committee substitute was adopted and printed; further steps remain\"},

engagement_forecast:{\"newsworthiness\":{\"national\":0.12,\"regional\":0.45,\"local\":0.92,\"justification\":\"Highest relevance is local (St. Louis) with regional interest in policing policy; limited national attention expected\"},\"notify_recommendation\":{\"audience\":\"city\",\"reason\":\"High local salience due to direct governance change in St. Louis\",\"audience_regions\":[\"US-MO-STL\"],\"justification\":\"Directly affects St. Louis residents and municipal governance\"},\"predicted_interest\":{\"national\":0.10,\"regional\":0.48,\"local\":0.95,\"justification\":\"Strong local readership and civic interest\"},\"predicted_click_through\":0.12,\"predicted_click_through_justification\":\"Local audiences more likely to click and read\"},

graph_signals:{\"jurisdictions\":[\"US-MO\",\"US-MO-STL\"],\"jurisdictions_justification\":\"State-level action affecting St. Louis\",\"ontology_topics\":[\"policing\",\"local_government\",\"public_safety\"],\"ontology_topics_justification\":\"Bill text and debate center on police governance and public-safety statutes\",\"entities\":[{\"id\":\"stl-police\",\"name\":\"St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department\",\"type\":\"agency\"}],\"entities_justification\":\"Primary affected agency\"}
","Lawmakers approved a broad public-safety omnibus, including a provision to create a five-member local commission to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Supporters said the change will improve morale and public safety; opponents said it removes locally elected control and short-changed public input.","actionData","errors"]

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