Tulip Time
April is my favorite month of session. The Capitol Complex is surrounded by multi-colored tulips, more legislation reaches the governor’s desk and multiple groups from our community travel to Jefferson City to learn about state government and update lawmakers about their schools and organizations. It won’t be long before dogwood trees bloom, morel hunters take to the woods and crappie start spawning across our beautiful state.
Before April began, I presented my water preservation legislation to the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. It was the first time I have presented a bill in the lower chamber since being elected into the Senate, and I sure appreciated seeing some friendly faces. This bill has been in the works for several years and stems from a conversation I had with a former director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), who informed me that no protections were in place for one of our greatest resources. Under Senate Bill 82, it shall be unlawful for any person to export water resources outside the state without a permit issued by DNR. Southeast Missouri has one of the most productive farmlands in the country, thanks to an unlimited water supply from the Mississippi River and neighboring tributaries. While Missouri hasn’t had to deal with water shortages or limitations like western states, this legislation will ensure that stays the norm.
I’m also pleased to report the Senate passed a bill I believe will benefit farmers and ranchers. Senate Bill 79, now being considered by the Missouri House of Representatives, will expand access to health care benefits through qualified membership organizations, like Farm Bureau. Hardworking farmers who feed our families often cannot afford expensive policies and premiums, so this will give them more affordable coverage options. The legislation also increases access to telehealth and telemedicine services, covers prenatal tests for pregnant women who choose additional screenings and requires MO HealthNet to cover hearing devices for children, pregnant women and the blind.
I have good news to share about champions for children, just as National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month is observed throughout the month of April. Now on the Senate perfection calendar for floor debate, Senate Bill 83 will expand the Champions for Children tax credit for contributions made to CASA or a child advocacy or crisis center. My legislation also permits homeless children to obtain a free state identification card and raises the age for a child’s testimony to be admissible in court from 14 to 18.
I also look forward to bringing my proposal to fund regional planning commissions before the body. Senate Bill 240 increases the amount of sums allotted for these commissions, removes obsolete organizations and adds Harry S. Truman, MO-Kan, Pioneer Trails and Southwest Missouri to the list.
Attention District 27!
