Parson announces special legislative session, likely focused on crime, COVID lawsuits

Missouri lawmakers will reconvene for a special legislative session before they are scheduled to return next January, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday.

“I’m sure there will be a special session, without a doubt, between now and the first of the year,” Parson said at his afternoon press briefing in response to a reporter’s question.

Lawmakers can reconvene to pass bills, if called by the governor, though legislation must relate to the governor’s instructions. For example, Parson called a special session last year so lawmakers could pass a bill that reversed a Missouri Supreme Court decision on how sales tax on used cars should be collected.

Since the regular legislative session ended mid-May, several groups have asked Parson for a special session to focus on issues ranging from police reform to taxes on online sales.

Business interests, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, have requested Parson to ask lawmakers for a bill that would reduce the public’s ability to sue employers over COVID-related issues.

Meanwhile, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare-related interests have asked for immunity from COVID-related liability while Missouri is in a state of emergency. A bill that would have accomplished that died during the last legislative session.

“I’m sure that (business liability for COVID) will be part of the special session when that day comes,” Parson said. “We are still in the process of discussing those things.”

Parson said lawmakers “still had work to do on the crime bill.”

There was only one major piece of crime legislation passed during the truncated legislative session. Last year, Missouri’s largest cities saw a spike in homicides.

The legislation did not include the creation of a witness protection and relocation program, one of the major requests by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and other city executives. The funding is intended to encourage witness cooperation in solving homicides and violent crime.

Parson noted that several groups - mayors, police officers, the African-American community and clergy -- were disappointed when the program did not pass and noted it most likely would be addressed in a special session.

“That really addresses violent crime more than anything else,” Parson said.

Parson said that “all options” are on the table for the timing of the special session. It can run concurrently with the regularly scheduled veto session lawmakers hold in September.