-->

First 2021 Missouri legislative session begins today

Missouri lawmakers will gather for the first session of the new year on Wednesday. The session will be conducted in person at the capitol with COVID-19 liability protection among the list of priorities.

Lawmakers are headed back to Jefferson City to begin the 2021 legislative session with protecting businesses from COVID-19 litigation at the top of the priorities list.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry laid out its priorities for the upcoming 2021 legislative session.

“COVID liability protection that employers have the certainty and the ability to reopen without fear of frivolous lawsuits related to the COVID virus,” said Dan Mehan, with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The chamber originally wanted a special session to address the issue and even drafted a letter to Governor Mike Parson.

“We have roughly 800 employers signed onto that letter,” said Mehan. “We’ve seen over a 1,000 complaints filed across the country and it’s by opportunistic trial lawyers that are trying to make money off this virus.”

The Missouri Chamber is also wanting lawmakers to increase funding for transportation as well as more legislation to help equip the workforce for opportunities that already exist.

There is already a bill pre-filed in the Missouri State Senate that focuses on COVID-19 liability.