Take Me Home, Country Roads
After months of processing legislation and a final week of robust conversations, conference committees and Senate debates, it sure felt good to have my pickup truck take me home one last time this session. As usual, the legislative session flew by, and I am pleased with the bills the General Assembly sent to the governor over the past few months. With the goals to improve lives, enhance infrastructure and ensure the state’s economy is robust, I am confident the Missourians who live on country roads and in urban expanses will benefit from these policies.
Sovereign Immunity Crosses Finish Line
The first bill I filed this session was Senate Bill 916. My colleagues passed this bill on May 14 to grant the same sovereign immunity to private contractors working with the Missouri Department of Transportation as public entities. This will help protect contractors from frivolous, unmerited lawsuits while doing work for the people of Missouri.
Purple Alert System and Mason’s Law Head to the Governor
On May 14, lawmakers passed House Bill 1840, which will enact a Purple Alert System to help law enforcement officers locate a person with developmental disabilities that has gone missing. Similar to my Senate Bill 1409, this bill requires the Department of Public Safety to collaborate with other statewide stakeholders to develop a training program and establish procedures to quickly and professionally respond to a reported missing disabled person emergency. If the governor signs HB 1840, Missouri will be the sixth state to implement this system. I believe the families who care for a nonverbal person will be relieved knowing that if an emergency arises, the state will be prepared to respond, quickly and appropriately.
I was also able to add Mason’s Law, or Senate Bill 1676, to HB 1840, which will allow residents with a health condition or disability that impairs their ability to communicate with law enforcement to apply for a designation that will be associated with their motor vehicle license plate number. This will help law enforcement better understand the situation and respond appropriately.
Offense of Masked Intimidation Passes
Provisions of my Senate Bill 1150, which establishes the offense of masked intimidation and corresponding penalties, were added to Senate Bill 1421 and sent to the governor on the final day of session. Under SB 1421, a person who intentionally harasses, intimidates or threatens any other person while concealing their identity with a mask or face covering will be charged with a felony. I am also glad portions of my Senate Bill 1008 are included in the bill, authorizing the Attorney General to appoint commissioned and noncommissioned investigators, have them take an oath of office to comply with peace officer standards and permit them to assist law enforcement agencies.
Speed Limit Increases to 75
I filed Senate Bill 1408 to increase the speed limit to 75 miles per hour on rural interstates so the small businesses and farmers in our community doing business in neighboring southern states can save time on traveling and transporting goods. This bill was sent to the governor on May 15. Many Missouri drivers already exceed 70 mph on a regular basis, so I think it’s common sense to slightly increase the limit.
Reducing Red Tape in the Workforce
A handful of bills I sponsored this year were designed to reduce red tape and permit qualified professionals to enter the workforce. House Bill 3231, which passed on May 14, establishes the Missouri Innovation, Public Safety, and Accountability Act.” I am pleased my proposal, Senate Bill 1443, was added to expand the Missouri Works program and incentives to create and retain jobs.
As Senate Bill 1083 progressed to streamline the process for respiratory care therapists to practice in other jurisdictions, it was added to Senate Bill 1233 alongside other licensed professions and changes to simplify the process. The General Assembly approved SB 1233 on May 7.
Professional compacts between states were also a big push this session. Passed by the Legislature on April 27, House Bill 2974 includes my Senate Bill 1149, which establishes the Athletic Trainers Compact to facilitate interstate practice. The compact bill also contains Senate Bill 1691 to allow licensed health care providers to provide telehealth services within the profession’s scope of practice.
Another professional licensure bill that passed was House Bill 2372. This bill includes my Senate Bill 1525, allowing the Department of Health and Senior Services to contract with a Missouri affiliate of a national public health association or institute. Also included in HB 2372 is language from my Senate Bill 1469, authorizing certain services to be covered by MO HealthNet.
Phasing out the State Income Tax
One of the proposals the Legislature put forth will appear on an upcoming ballot, most likely in November. House Joint Resolutions 173 & 174 allows voters to give the Legislature more autonomy to take actions that would phase out the state income tax over time, as long as certain revenue thresholds are met. The goal is to eliminate income tax and reduce personal property and other local taxes when local revenues increase, while protecting funding for public schools and other important services.
Protecting the Innocent
As a father and grandfather, it was easy to support House Bill 1839, requiring age verification before a person can enter an adult website. Too often, children are exposed to explicit images and language they are too young and immature to process. I think creating this extra barrier will help protect the innocent and prevent early exposure to adult content.
I am also pleased Senate Bill 982 has been signed into law to make improvements to the states’ sex offender registry. Currently, certain sexual offenses are listed on the registry, but after the law takes effect on Aug. 28, a person who has been adjudicated for these offenses after 1979 will be required to register as a sex offender.
Try, Try Again!
Overall, I’ve had a productive session, but I am disappointed several of my priority bills didn’t reach the governor. As I have learned over the course of my career in the Legislature, good policies are sometimes years in the making. Rest assured, I will refile legislation to establish a post-consumer paint recycling program and align Missouri’s admissibility of expert testimony evidence with the federal rules. If at first you don’t succeed…!
To read about the bills passed by the Legislature this session, click on the legislation tab of the Senate website and select “Truly Agreed Bills.”
It has been an honor serving our community in the Missouri Senate these past two years, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during the interim. My office is open year-round, so don’t hesitate to reach out!