SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 1054
90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CLAY.
Read 1st time February 28, 2000, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
4629S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 109, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the underground railroad.
Section A. Chapter 109, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 109.530, to read as follows:
109.530. 1. The secretary of state shall survey state records for information pertaining to the underground railroad and enter into agreements with surrounding states to identify records in Missouri pertaining to the underground railroad in those states and records in those states pertaining to the underground railroad in Missouri. The secretary shall also identify sites in Missouri that were important to the underground railroad.
2. There is hereby created "The Missouri Underground Railroad Advisory Commission", to consist of nine members appointed by the secretary of state. Members shall serve two terms of four years, except that four of those first appointed shall serve a term of two years. The members must be knowledgeable about nineteenth century African American history. Members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings of the commission.
3. The commission shall:
(1) Advise the secretary concerning nineteenth century African American history in Missouri;
(2) Recommend methods for gathering information about the underground railroad in Missouri and African American traditions and history, including the use of oral histories;
(3) Submit an annual report to the governor and the general assembly assessing the progress of the secretary and the commission toward documenting and making available to the public, information about the underground railroad and the history of African Americans in Missouri;
(4) Recommend the appropriations necessary to further the objectives of the commission; and
(5) Make such other recommendations as the commission deems appropriate.