JEFFERSON CITY — Members of the upper chamber today (5-8) were named to serve on several conference committees established to work out differences between the Senate and House on various legislation moving through the General Assembly.

Senate Bill 569, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, would change Missouri’s law relating to elections.  The bill was originally introduced in the Senate as a measure that would change the dates available for elections.  Now the legislation includes provisions that would modify how vacancies are filled by the governor in statewide offices and the office of U.S. Senator, and require election judges to swear that they will support and defend the U.S. and Missouri constitutions, among other provisions.

Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington; Sen. Kraus; Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City; Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville; and Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis, as well as five members from the Missouri House, were selected to serve on the conference committee on SB 569.

Senate Bill 611 would change various provisions relating to the regulation of transportation in the Show-Me State.  Introduced in the Senate as a measure aimed at addressing the interval times for yellow lights throughout the state, SB 611 now, among other provisions, includes language that would add Missouri Department of Transportation vehicles to emergency vehicles motorist should yield or move over for on the roadway, add new definitions to the Uniform Commercial Driver’s License Act and implement a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation known as “Medical Certification Requirements as part of the CDL.”

Five members from the House, in addition to Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City; Sen. Wright-Jones; Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City; Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton; and Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis, have been assigned to the conference committee on SB 611.

Another Senate measure with several House amendments is also under consideration by a conference committee.  Senate Bill 564, sponsored by Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla, would waive the motorcycle road skills test for members of the Armed Forces who have successfully completed certain military motorcycle rider training courses.  Members of the upper chamber named to the conference committee include Sen. Brown; Sen. McKenna; Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin; Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa; and Sen. Wright-Jones.  Five members from the House also serve on the panel.

Finally, Senate Bill 719, sponsored by Sen. Kehoe, was originally filed as a bill designed to authorize temporary boater safety ID cards, under certain circumstances, to individuals visiting Missouri.  Now the measure includes several provisions, including language that would allow a person 21 or older to operate a motorcycle without wearing a helmet, and prohibit individuals from selling or advertising merchandise or other goods in state parks without permission from the Department of Natural Resources, among other provisions.

Sen. Kehoe; Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale; Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon; Sen. McKenna; and Sen. Wright-Jones have all been named to sit on the conference committee on SB 719.  Five members from the Missouri House have also been named to serve on the panel.

To view the Senate and House hearing schedule, which includes the date, time and location of the meetings, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the respective chamber’s link under the Hearings tab.

For more information about these measures and other 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.