ST. LOUIS–The Missouri Senate took up debate Tuesday on an omnibus public safety bill most widely known for its provision allowing the Governor to appoint a special prosecutor for violent crime in the city of St. Louis. A Senate substitute introduced Tuesday also included a measure that would return control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to a state-controlled board.

What You Need To Know

  • The Senate is debating an amended House bill that would authorize a special prosecutor for violent crimes in St. Louis and would place the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under a state-appointed board of St. Louis residents, including the Mayor.

  • If the amended bill passes the Senate, it would have to return to the House

  • SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy has said he would remain on the job, if asked, in the event of a return to state control of the department

  • The legislative session ends May 12

Both concepts have already passed the House in separate pieces of legislation. 

GOP lawmakers in both chambers have eyed the special prosecutor provision for months as criticism of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has grown. The legislation was introduced before Attorney General Andrew Bailey began removal proceedings against Gardner in St. Louis Circuit Court in February.  

The removal proceeding could go to trial in late September. A judge late Tuesday afternoon dismissed portions of the case against Gardner,  who is also asking for a new judge to hear the case.

House Bill 301 passed the House before Gardner came under fire for her office's handling of a robbery case that ultimately led to a defendant, out on bail, who was later charged in connection with a traffic crash in the city that cost a Tennessee high school volleyball player the use of her legs. 

The bill’s Senate handler, State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, introduced a substitute Tuesday that also included control of the police department. Some GOP sources in the Senate suggested in recent weeks that police control could face a tougher sell than the special prosecutor component. Luetkemeyer argued on the floor that the legislation is necessary to protect the economic engine of the state.

Both of the police unions representing SLMPD officers have endorsed the return to state control. While St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has criticized the potential return to state control, Chief Robert Tracy has said he would stay on the job if asked, in the event the bill passes and becomes law.

Tuesday afternoon, Democrats introduced an amendment seeking to mimic federal gun possession statutes that call for a gun owner to be 18 years old or order. The amendment fell on a party-line vote.

“It’s politically popular to attack St. Louis,” State Sen. Steven Roberts, Jr., D-St. Louis, the amendment’s sponsor said.

Debate on the bill continued Tuesday, with the clock ticking toward the end of session May 12. If the Senate were to pass the substitute legislation, it would need to return to the House. 

At some point, lawmakers will need to move to address the state budget, which will need to be approved by May 5.