Short Week, Long-Term Results
I was thankful to have an extra day for Easter break and the condensed schedule that followed may well provide long-term results for Missourians. The week started off with the governor signing a handful of bills into law in his Capitol office. These include the criminal and juvenile justice reforms in Senate Bill 888, allowing courts to dissolve marriages of pregnant women, House Bill 1908, and strengthening the penalties for child sex trafficking and other sexual offenses, House Bill 2273. The other bills may be viewed by clicking the Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed tab on the Senate website.
On April 8, I presented Senate Bill 1468 to the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, which deals with endowed care trust funds, no-contest clauses and the establishment of the Missouri Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act. This is a technical, multi-faceted bill that will modernize and improve the current codes on the income and principal of endowed care trust funds. If you want to learn more, please watch my presentation of SB 1468 under the “Current Media” section on my Senate web page.
Knocking on the Governor’s Door
The Senate calendar is full of bills that are scheduled to be perfected, third read or sent to the governor. One of these, House Bill 2061, defines antisemitism in statute and requires public school districts and higher learning institutions to integrate the definition into their codes of conduct. The bill, which was sent to the governor on April 9, also prohibits antisemitic behavior and treats the offense the same as discrimination motivated by race. Another, House Bill 2180, unanimously passed by a 146-0 vote in the Missouri House of Representatives and will allow the Department of Revenue to mail documents by first class mail in lieu of certified or registered mail and send notices of deficiency electronically upon request. If signed into law, this legislation lowers costs, improves efficiency and reduces red tape.
I’m grateful my bill to create a Purple Alert System in Missouri inched closer to the governor’s desk and was passed by the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 1409 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to create this alert system to aid in the identification and location of missing persons with developmental disabilities whose disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to themselves.
My Athletic Trainers Compact legislation, Senate Bill 1149, was approved by the Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee. This bill will facilitate this interstate practice, enable licensed trainers to practice in the states that join the compact, and create the Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact Commission for oversight.
Our Community’s Art Contest Winners
Congratulations to MacKenzie Simmons and Olivia Dabbs from the Scott City! Olivia’s artwork was selected to represent our district in the Senate Art Exhibit, and MacKenzie is the winner of the Children’s Art Festival Award, presented by the Art Council of Southeast Missouri.
Welcoming Guests from the 27th
As always, the highlight of my week is visiting with folks from back home. Thanks for taking the time to share your legislative goals.
Bollinger County Farm Bureau