Missouri Senate approves downtown tax credits, career‑tech certificate pathways and tuition aid for public safety personnel

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Senate on Wednesday advanced several bills on final reading, approving a downtown revitalization tax‑credit measure, a career‑technical certificate portability bill and a tuition aid measure for public‑safety personnel, and clearing two House bills on child protection.

The Senate passed Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 35, described on the floor as the “Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act,” on third reading by a vote of 20 ayes to 13 noes. The senator who moved the bill said it will “make a huge difference across our state for, fixing some of these vacant buildings,” and asked colleagues for support. The bill was read and recorded on the third‑reading calendar before the roll call that produced the 20–13 tally.

Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 150, which the sponsor said creates a career path for people who have qualified through “CTC” (career‑tech certificate) programs to use those credentials toward additional certifications, passed 33–1. The roll call on the bill recorded one no vote from Senator Green; the tally shown on the floor was 33 ayes and 1 no.

Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 71, described on the floor as an act relating to college tuition for public‑safety personnel, passed 33–1 after discussion on fiscal effects. Senators acknowledged the measure was supported on the floor; one senator noted that a possible fiscal note that prompted a fiscal‑oversight review could be “well over $3,000,000,” and the bill sponsor said she planned to dispute that fiscal estimate. Supporters praised the measure as an incentive for first responders, with one senator saying the bill would help “incentivize folks to stay in those tough jobs.” The final vote was recorded 33 ayes and 1 no.

On the House side, the Senate took up and passed Senate substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bills 737 and 486 — an act relating to the protection of children with penalty provisions — by a vote of 34 ayes and 0 noes.

Several other committee reports and lists of bills for second reading were read and placed on calendars, and the Senate handled gubernatorial appointment reports and a withdrawal as routine business before adjourning. The body recessed for a technical session over spring break and will reconvene for regular business on March 24; the earlier technical session is scheduled for March 18 at 10 a.m., and attendance for that session was announced as optional for members and staff.

Votes at a glance: Senate substitute for Senate Bill 35 — tax credits for downtown revitalization; outcome: passed, 20–13. Senate substitute for Senate Bill 150 — career‑tech certificate program portability; outcome: passed, 33–1 (Sen. Green recorded as the lone no). Senate substitute for Senate Bill 71 — college tuition for public safety personnel; outcome: passed, 33–1. Senate substitute for House Committee substitute for House Bills 737 and 486 — protection of children with penalty provisions; outcome: passed, 34–0.

The bills passed on final reading will move to the next statutory steps; the journal records titling and perfecting motions were made and carried for the measures that passed on the floor that day.