JEFFERSON CITY — With less than 48 hours to go before the 6:00 p.m. Friday deadline, lawmakers have already “truly agreed to and finally passed” several Senate bills, sending them to the governor to become law.
Senate Bill 237, sponsored by Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, would require the September 1996 Supreme Court standards for representation by guardians ad litem (for the purpose of a lawsuit or legal action) be updated. The state’s highest court adopted statewide standards on Sept. 17, 1996, in order to ensure that Missouri children had a right to adequate and effective representation in child welfare cases.
Sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, SJR 2 would allow enabling legislation for advance voting and photo ID for voting. This constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would require a person to show a valid, government-issued photo ID to vote. The joint resolution would also allow advance voting. Final passage of this measure brings this issue straight to the ballot – it does not need the governor’s approval.
Senate Bill 3, also sponsored by Sen. Stouffer, is the enabling legislation mentioned in SJR 2. The bill would establish requirements for advance voting and voter photo IDs for elections. Senate Bill 3 details the proper forms of ID required by the legislation to cast a ballot, describes instances when individuals can vote using a provisional ballot, and requires the state to provide one free form of documentation (either a proper ID or a document to obtain the required ID). The legislation would also allow advance voting for certain elections and establishes the time frame for advance voting.
A measure that would create prostate cancer pilot programs was also approved by the Legislature and delivered to the governor this week. Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis, would establish two pilot programs in Missouri, one in St. Louis and the other in either Pemiscot, New Madrid or Dunklin counties. The program would be open to uninsured or economically challenged men (who meet certain requirements and fall between a certain age range) who are at a high risk of prostate cancer.
Senate Bill 187, sponsored Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, would specify what types of compensatory damages may be awarded in a lawsuit in which the alleged nuisance comes from property primarily used for crop or animal production. In addition, the legislation would address junkyards, specifically changing the penalty for failing to screen a junkyard within 200 feet of a state or county road.
Unless otherwise specified these bills will take effect Aug. 28, 2011, upon receiving the governor’s approval.
For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
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