The Missouri General Assembly concluded its annual session yesterday.

BUDGET

The $20.8 billion budget for the 2007 fiscal year increases spending by 8.6 percent, with more money for education, roads and employee pay raises as well the restoration of a small portion of last year’s Medicaid cuts.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Starting Jan. 1, limits on what individuals can give to candidates are lifted, fundraising during the legislative session is barred and lawmakers must get approval before lobbyists can pay the tab for out-of-state travel or lodging.

CHILD SEATS

Vehicle booster seats, now required for children as old as 4, would now be required for children as old as 8, unless they reach either 80 pounds or 4 feet 9 inches before then, when they can switch to seat belts.

PREGNANCY CENTERS

Creates a tax credit for donations to centers that provide support to pregnant women.

DNA TESTING

Drug dealers would pay double the amount charged to other felons to extend the state’s DNA-testing program, and a few more people exonerated by DNA evidence would be eligible to receive compensation from the state.

EMINENT DOMAIN

In response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting the use of eminent domain to take private property solely to increase taxes or create jobs. The bill also requires a bonus payment, on top of the market value, to people whose properties are taken.

ETHANOL

Starting in January 2008, ethanol-blended gasoline is required whenever the price of the alternative fuel is equal to or drops below the price of regular gasoline.

FUNERALS

Gov. Matt Blunt signed legislation making it illegal to protest near a funeral an hour before or after the service - a response to a Kansas-based church group that has targeted military funerals in Missouri and elsewhere.

SEX OFFENDERS

People who commit sex offenses against children younger than 12 would face longer mandatory sentences, and more information about released sex offenders would be made known on public registries.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT

Made it easier to disqualify workers from jobless benefits along with other changes designed to overhaul an unemployment compensation system that has had financial trouble in recent years.

VIRTUAL SCHOOL

Starting with the 2007-2008 school year, the state would offer a virtual school allowing K-12 students to take courses over the Internet instead of in a traditional classroom.

VOTING

Voters must show a Missouri or federal government-issued photo identification before voting, starting this fall. Until 2008, people without a proper ID could vote a provisional ballot, which would count if their identity was verified.

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