Senate unanimously approves garnishment, bankruptcy exemption changes

The Missouri Senate unanimously passed a Senate substitute for Senate Bills 835 and 1111 after the sponsor described the measure as a joint effort addressing garnishment procedures and increases to bankruptcy exemptions.

Senator from Dallas, who moved the bills to third reading, told the chamber the measure was discussed on the previous day and that it is a cooperative effort with the senator from the ninth. She summarized the bill succinctly as dealing with garnishments and increasing bankruptcy exemptions and invited questions; none were offered on the floor.

The secretary read the substitute and the roll call produced a tally announced in the chamber as 32 ayes and 0 nays. The presiding officer declared the bill passed by constitutional majority.

The floor explanation did not include the substitute’s full statutory text, specified exemption amounts, or the precise effective dates for affected sections beyond a general reference to "an effective date for certain sections." Those details are contained in the bill text and committee files and were not read into the record during this floor action.

The Senate then continued with messages from the House and other calendar business before adjourning to a later date.