The money is part of a federal appropriation from the Department of Health and Human Services. The HHS must approve Missouri's plans for spending the funds.

Tim Daniel, Missouri's special advisor on homeland security, says that the funds will be used towards improving planning, public health infrastructure, laboratory capabilities, and communication between health officials and hospitals.

The governor's special advisor for homeland security told a House appropriations committee Missouri may receive between $60 and $65 million for first responders.

Senate committees also heard testimony on bills that would create a joint committee on terrorism and give the governor power in declaring a public health emergency.

While the bill's sponsor said the universities could absorb costs more easily than families financing their children's education, opponents said the bill would limit universities' flexibility in the face of budget cuts.

The bill's sponsor suspended further debate on the measure after the Senate adopted an amendment restricting the ban only in cars where drivers already had exceeded the legal limit for blood-alcohol.

Senators complained the proposal would prevent passengers from drinking, even if the driver abstained.

Dougherty's bill would fine retailers who raise the price of thier goods more than 10 percent in a declared state of emergency.

Opposition to the bill called its terms vague, and said less than one percent of Missouri gas stations were charged with price gouging following the attacks on September 11th.

Senator Chuck Gross proposed a bill which would require hospitals to develop a preparedness plan and create an expert epidemic response team. The bill would also make it a felony to participate in terroristic acts.

Opposition to the plan stems from an amendment which would allow the "closure of meetings and records related to terrorism readiness," keeping the press and public from attending such meetings.

The legislation would require an HMO to accept any health-provider willing to work within the HMO's rules.

A couple of Senate members said they feared that would drive up the cost of health care.

Missouri's Economic Development Department projects that tax breaks would cost the state $277 million next year and would balloon to more than $400 million annually by 2005.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

The statute of limitations sets a deadline of three years for charges to be filed after a crime is discovered.

The bill is in response to a state appeals court decision which held that rape was not exempt from the time limit.

The Missouri Motor Carriers Association opposes speed limit reductions and tax increases that don't include all vehicles.

Among others, Yeckel's senate bill prohibits voting without a photo ID, and allows provisional voting for those who cannot be immediately validated as registered to vote.

The corresponding house bill does not have those specific provisions, but is otherwise very similar to the senate bill.