JEFFERSON CITY — Legislation addressing intoxication-related traffic offenses, among other transportation provisions, and a measure that would require Missouri state agencies that receive federal grants to track and disclose the usage of these funds received final approval in the Missouri Senate Thursday (1-26). 

Senate Bill 467, sponsored by Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, would require state departments and divisions that accept federal grants over $1 million to post information relating to the grant on the Missouri Accountability Portal.  This portal allows individuals to do a comprehensive search of databases containing financial records based on real-time data.

Posted information to the portal would include the amount, origin, and purpose of the federal grant; and amount of the grant that’s transferred to another department or division, along with the purpose of the transfer; and how the secondary recipient used the funds from that grant, as well as the impact of that use.

Bonds issued by higher education public institutions and political subdivisions, obligations issued under a tax increment financing agreement, and the revenue stream pledged to repay the bond or obligation also make the list of required information for posting to the accountability portal.  In addition, the bill would require the governor to submit a daily report stating the amounts withheld from the state operating budget on the portal. 

Senate Bill 443, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, would change current state statute to comply with federal law, which allows courts and the Department of Revenue to issue limited driving privileges to repeat offenders for the purpose of driving to their place of employment, school, alcohol or drug treatment programs, and when seeking the services of a certified ignition interlock device provider.

The measure also addresses failure to appear in court regarding individuals holding commercial vehicle driver’s licenses, adds new definitions to the Uniform Commercial Driver’s License Act, makes changes to current compliance guidelines for Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations, supports the implementation of the “Medical Certification Requirements as part of the CDL” federal rule, and implements a Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulation known as “Medical Certification Requirements as part of the CDL.”

Final passage in the Senate sends the bills to the House of Representatives for similar consideration.  Senate Bill 467 contains an emergency clause, which means it would become law directly upon the governor’s signature; the effective date for Senate Bill 443 varies based on different provisions.

For other information about the Missouri Senate, including audio and video featuring Senate floor debate, committee hearings and other legislative events, visit the Senate Newsroom website at www.senate.mo.gov/newsroom.  You can contact the Senate Newsroom by calling (573) 751-3824 or by email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.