House adopts committee substitute called 'transparency in sentencing'; members debate whether it raises minimum sentences
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Summary
The House perfected a committee substitute for HB 2637 and HB 3155 that moves sentencing minimums into statute (floors for parole eligibility), expands some 'dangerous felony' 85% rules and clarifies credit-for-time served certification; debate centered on whether the change actually raises time-served for lower-grade felonies and fiscal/equity effects.
The Missouri House on Feb. 17 perfected and printed a House committee substitute for House Bills 26-37 and 31-55 (the sponsor framed it as a "transparency in sentencing" measure). The sponsor, the gentleman from Webster, told colleagues the substitute moves baseline time-served percentages into statute so judges, victims and defendants can better understand the minimum time before parole eligibility.
Supporters said the change gives judges and litigants clearer information at sentencing and grew from work by the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission, which included prosecutors, defenders, courts, corrections and law enforcement. The sponsor said the substitute also adds certain offenses to the 85% "dangerous felony" category and includes trafficking-related provisions.
Opponents argued the bill's practical effect is to increase minimum effective time served on lower-grade felonies (D and E classes) — moving common practice from about a 15% floor toward a 25% statutory minimum — and that the label "transparency" obscures that result. Members urged carve-outs for low-level drug possession and raised concerns about fiscal uncertainty: the fiscal note cited the substitute could either save or cost the state money over a ten-year horizon depending on behavioral effects and implementation.
The sponsor said the substitute includes language to improve credit-for-time served calculations: sheriffs would certify a defendant's days in custody so judges can account for them at sentencing. Supporters added that better sentencing-assessment reports would help judges and juries weigh alternatives with better information.
The House adopted the committee substitute by voice vote after extended debate. Lawmakers repeatedly disagreed on whether the substitute increases sentencing overall; the transcript records both that the substitute "provides transparency" by setting statutory floors and that critics believe it effectively raises minimum time served for certain felonies. The substitute now proceeds per House scheduling.