JEFFERSON CITY — Lawmakers in the Missouri Senate today (2-22) gave their initial approval to Senate Bill 719, sponsored by Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City.  His legislation would allow out-of-state residents to purchase a temporary boating safety identification card to operate a rented watercraft in Missouri.  The temporary license would be available for up to seven days and would cost $9.  Those applying for the license would have to sign an affidavit stating they have reviewed the Missouri State Highway Patrol Handbook regarding Missouri Boating Laws and Responsibilities.

During floor debate, Sen. Kehoe explained that 47 other states currently offer these temporary boater licenses and that this one-time exemption would allow non-Missouri residents to rent watercraft.  The $9 would be used to develop a database for customers to enter their information into an online terminal linked to a site maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol to track these temporary licenses and take money for these permits.  Currently, out-of-state visitors cannot rent watercraft in Missouri because they haven’t taken the state’s water safety course.  This act does not apply to Missouri residents.

Senators also gave their first-round approval to a measure that would change Missouri’s do-not-call list and create “paid for by” requirements for political phone calls.  Senate Bill 484, sponsored by Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville, would expand the no-call list to include personal cell phone numbers; add automated phone calls, with the exception of certain calls, to the types of calls prohibited to individuals who sign up on the list; and create an exception to making telemarketing calls to people on the no-call list for communication that is in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission.

Sen. Rupp says individuals deserve to know on behalf of whom the call is made and have the option to decline hearing the message.

The upper chamber also considered Senate Bill 492, sponsored by Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau.  His legislation would change the retirement benefits formula for members of the General Assembly and statewide elected officials who first take office on or after Jan. 1, 2013.  The bill sponsor says there are currently special retirement systems for different types of state workers, and states there should be one universal pension system offered to all state workers.  Sen. Crowell says his legislation only addresses state employees.  The act was tabled for further consideration.

The Senate previously gave its first-round approval to a measure that would create term limits for all statewide elected officials on Monday (2-20).  Senate Joint Resolution 26, sponsored by Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, proposes a constitutional amendment that, if approved by Missouri voters, would impose term limits (two four-year terms) for the elected positions of lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general and state auditor.  Final approval in the Senate moves the resolution over to the House for similar consideration.  A joint resolution requires the same treatment as a bill in its passage through both chambers and has the force of law.  However, it does not require the governor’s signature.

For more information about bills moving through the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov.  To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.