Only 3-Weeks of Session Left
April 26, 2024
My House Bill in the Senate
I am hopeful that my HB 1746 will be placed on the Senate calendar so that it can be debated and voted on as soon as next week. House Bill 1746 is a comprehensive utilities bill to foster economic growth and energy grid modernization. While it has traveled a long way through the process and is a lot further along than a lot of other bills, the bill still has a long way to go. Some sections continue to be negotiated in the Senate and the biggest challenge will come in seeing how it looks when it comes out of the Senate, if it even does.
My Bill Referred to Senate Committee
My House Bill 2087, modifies provisions relating to financial transactions referred to the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee this week.
My Bill Up for Senate Hearing Next Week
My House Bill 2756 has been referred to the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee this week. I have requested a hearing and have received word that it will be heard in the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee next Tuesday. HB 2756?modifies provisions of the "Property Assessment Clean Energy Act", effectively ending the residential PACE program that has been fraught with consumer fraud while expanding the commercial PACE program that has been widely praised.
My Bills on the House Calendar
I have 5 bills currently on the House Calendar, ready to make their way to the Senate. Here’s a list of the bills:
HB 1725?- Modifies standards regarding financial transactions in this state
HB 1726?- Changes the laws regarding bonds
HB 1728?- Modifies provisions relating to utilities
HB 2086?- Modifies caps, fees, and title requirements for certain real estate and agricultural loans
HB 2798 - Modifies the "Missouri Family Trust Company Act"
?Financial Institutions Committee
We heard a land bank bill in the Financial Institutions Committee this week and voted out 2 senate bills as listed below.
Public Hearing HB 2251 - LAND BANKS - Johnson(023) Senate Bill: Executive Session SS SCS SB 835 SB 736
As the 2024 legislative session in Missouri approaches its final three weeks, lawmakers are intensifying their efforts to tackle various concerns facing the state. The Senate is currently reviewing the House-approved state operating budget, aiming to finalize it before the May 10th deadline mandated by the constitution.
Missouri House Passes Increased Penalties for Sexual Offenses Involving Children
The Missouri House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation to put a measure before Missouri voters to ensure the safety of Missouri children and curb the heinous crime of sex trafficking by strengthening penalties for sexual offenses involving children.
HJR 132 proposes a crucial amendment to the Missouri Constitution to ensure stricter punishment for those convicted of sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree. Under the proposed amendment, individuals found guilty of sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree will face life imprisonment without the possibility of probation or parole.
This legislation was created to ensure that the punishment for these crimes is both just and effective. Our children deserve the highest level of protection, and this resolution underscores our unwavering dedication to their safety and well-being. With the passage of this legislation, we are sending a powerful message to traffickers: their actions will not be tolerated. Our children are not commodities; they are our most precious treasures, deserving of every safeguard we can provide. HJR 132 now waits in the Senate for further consideration.
Missouri House Passes Bill Furthering the Protection of Vulnerable Persons from Human TraffickingTop of Form
In an ongoing commitment to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals, the Missouri House of Representatives has approved HB 2688. This bill establishes a statute of limitations for sex and human trafficking offenses in Missouri and implements vital measures to address these issues, including the formation of the "Council on Human Trafficking" within the Department of Public Safety. Comprising diverse stakeholders, this council will convene regularly to coordinate prevention training, offer necessary services to victims, assess state data, and raise public awareness.
HB 2688 mandates that prosecution for certain human trafficking offenses must commence within 20 years. It also introduces a new offense: patronizing a victim of sexual servitude, punishable as a felony carrying a potential sentence of five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if the victim is 18 years or older. If the victim is under 18, the potential penalty includes life imprisonment without parole or a minimum of 25 years served. Convicted individuals must also pay restitution to their victims.
Moreover, the newly established offense of patronizing a victim of sexual servitude, along with the offense of enabling sexual exploitation of a minor, are now categorized under Tier III of the Sexual Offenders Registry.
The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration, where lawmakers are expected to continue their bipartisan efforts to combat trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals.
House Signs Off on Comprehensive Crime and Public Safety Legislation
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed extensive legislation aimed at safeguarding citizens, strengthening law enforcement, and providing opportunities for individuals involved in criminal activities to pursue rehabilitation. HB 2700 is targeted at combating crime in the state, with particular emphasis on human trafficking; sex crimes against children and other vulnerable persons; and alternatives to incarceration for individuals willing to do the work to deal with mental health issues and to stop driving while impaired.
One provision of the bill increases to a class B or A felony the sale of a schedule I or II controlled substance, if that sale results in great bodily harm or death. Those selling such substances are oftentimes not being held accountable for what happened to the people to whom they sold.? This provision, and the bill as a whole, are about making Missouri safer for those who live and work here, and for those who continue to protect and serve the residents of this state. This is a collaborative, bipartisan effort from numerous people with experience in various parts of our justice system who saw ways we could improve it.
The bill also includes measures such as the establishment of a violent offender registry, including individuals on probation or parole for serious offenses like 1st or 2nd-degree murder. Additionally, new laws such as Blair’s Law and Bentley and Mason’s Law aim to increase penalties for specific offenses, such as careless discharge of firearms and driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of a parent, respectively.
Other notable provisions include allowing recordings of statements made by children or vulnerable persons as evidence in criminal courts and increasing penalties for resisting arrest or interfering with law enforcement. The legislation also addresses issues related to prostitution, mental health disorders, and compensation for deaths in the line of duty. Furthermore, it introduces diversion programs for DUI cases and expands the definition of "emergency vehicle" to include vehicles used by state fire investigators and park rangers.
Moreover, the legislation enhances measures for witness protection, modifies jurisdictional aspects of legal proceedings, and introduces new offenses such as using a minor to commit a crime and tampering with electronic monitoring equipment. Additionally, it establishes a fund to receive funds intended for the state Office of the Public Defender from various sources, including government grants and private donations. These legislative changes collectively aim to improve public safety, enhance legal proceedings, and support the criminal justice system in Missouri.
Battling crime in Missouri and making this state safer are among our top priorities, and this legislation will save lives while giving people the chance to turn their lives around and correct their behaviors.
Missouri House Passes Resolution to Amend Legislative Term Limits
In an effort to reform the legislative term limits of Missouri’s state legislators, the Missouri House of Representatives voted to pass HJR 69, modifying the state’s existing cap on how long legislators may serve in their respective chambers. HJR 69 aims to address concerns regarding the loss of legislative experience and expertise due to existing term limits.
HJR 69 proposes the removal of the restriction on serving eight years only in one chamber of the legislature, allowing members of the General Assembly to serve up to 16 years in either the House or Senate. Additionally, the resolution imposes limits on leadership positions, preventing individuals from serving as Speaker of the House for more than three terms and as President Pro Tempore of the Senate for more than two terms.
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The restrictions in place regarding term limits in our state have created a situation that have made governance less effective. This resolution aims to keep experienced lawmakers around longer to serve Missourians better.
The resolution will now proceed to the Missouri Senate for consideration. If approved by the Senate, the resolution would go before the voters of Missouri, and with their approval, take effect on December 5, 2030.
Missouri House Passes HB 1564: Enhancing Local Taxation Laws for Community Development
This week, the Missouri House of Representatives also approved House Bill 1564, a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at empowering local communities through enhanced taxation laws.
HB 1564 encompasses a range of provisions designed to provide local governments with greater flexibility in generating revenue for essential purposes such as healthcare, tourism, public safety, and support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Key provisions of HB 1564 include:
This legislation will enable our communities to address critical needs and foster development in key areas. By empowering local governments with the authority to implement targeted taxation measures, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient Missouri and an environment conducive to prosperity and progress.
The passage of HB 1564 underscores the Missouri House's commitment to supporting local communities and generating revenue avenues to bolster healthcare, tourism promotion, public safety, and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.
Missouri House Passes HB 2797, Honoring Local Heroes with Memorial Highways and Bridges
In a unanimous 150-0 decision, the Missouri House has passed HB 2797, a bill that underscores the state's commitment to honoring its local heroes by designating various highways and bridges after them. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support and aims to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions and sacrifices made by individuals who have served their communities and country with valor and distinction.
The legislation began as an effort to honor fallen Police Officer Lane Burns, who was fatally shot while responding to a disturbance at a motel. Despite being wounded, Officer Burns and his partner returned fire, killing the assailant. Officer Burns, survived by his children and fiancée, served with the Bonne Terre Police Department for five years.
After some work, the bill now designates highways and bridges in memory of esteemed individuals such as Dr. Dan Brown, Police Chief Mason Griffith, Sheriff John Harlow, Sheriff Roy Patterson, and many others, spanning various counties including Phelps, Gasconade, Barton, Jasper, and more.
Among the highlights of HB 2797 are:
HB 2797 not only acknowledges the sacrifices of public servants and military personnel but also celebrates the legacies of families and individuals who have left an indelible mark on their communities. This includes the designation of the "Dillard Family Highway" in Dent County and the "Cotton Fitzsimmons Memorial Highway" in Pike County, among others.
The Department of Transportation will oversee the installation and maintenance of appropriate signage for these designated highways and bridges. While the costs for signage on some memorials will be covered by the Department of Transportation, others will be funded through private donations, exemplifying the community's involvement and support for these meaningful tributes.
In passing this legislation, we are showing our enduring gratitude and respect for those who have served and sacrificed for the betterment of their communities and the nation. By immortalizing their names on the roads and bridges they once traversed, we ensure that their memories and contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.
Battle of Exercise Tiger Memorial Held at the Capitol
On Monday, April 22 at 1 PM the nation’s first ever State Capitol Tribute to honor the Battle of Exercise Tiger was held in the state capitol in Jefferson City.
Exercise Tiger was a top-secret training exercise held in the last week of April 1944, that turned into real combat when a German Navy raiding force of “E” boats attacked the US Navy Convoy. The attack at 1:30 AM lasted for over an hour, but the results were 2 Landing Ship Tanks (LST) sunk, a third crippled, and over 749 soldiers and sailors killed. Ft. Leonard Wood is the home of Army Engineers and they still wear the blue patch from Exercise Tiger.
Veterans from WWII to Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan were honored during the event, which kicked off a week of Missouri ceremonies from Columbia to Audrain County. On Friday at the Missouri Army National Guard’s 175th MP Unit Armory, an afternoon flag-raising ceremony took place. On Sunday the 27th, the day that the Battle of Exercise Tiger took place, the National Ceremony at the Missouri Exercise Tiger Army & Navy Anchor Memorial will take place at 1 PM at the Courthouse in Mexico.
United States Coast Guard stations in St. Louis will lay wreaths to honor “Tiger” and all vets.
Monday's State Capitol tribute as well as others were coordinated by the Columbia-based United States Exercise Tiger Foundation (USTF) that is the organization that honors the military engagement annually and is recognized by the Department . of Defense and Navy to be the commemorating organization.
Lt Governor Mike Kehoe did a “State Declaration” to honor Exercise Tiger Day, the first time a sitting Lt Governor has done so. Kehoe was also presented with several awards.
Missouri Military Academy had its Corps Honors detail perform the historic “Sabre Arch” entry for VIP’s and officials.
A 10-by-20-foot US Navy Battle Flag, 48 stars that last flew on a US Navy warship in WWII was ceremonially unfolded, presented, then folded and presented to the 175th MP Unit to fly next Friday. The MMA Cadets and the Army Guard took part in this historic portion. (Below)
The battle, which came as a surprise during a rehearsal for the D-Day invasions, cost 201 Missouri Army Guardsmen their lives, and their sacrifice helped make the Normandy invasions' of 1944 a success.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at [email protected], 573-751-3762 or my office is located on the 4th floor of the Capitol in room 411A.
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Business Student
3 个月I wouldn't budget my state at all. It can create its own spread.