Missouri’s 2016 legislative session ended May 13th, with the General Assembly truly agreeing and finally passing 143 pieces of legislation. While crafting beneficial public policy by nature requires debate, disagreement and compromise, it is inspiring to work with my 31 Senate colleagues toward the goal of creating a better Missouri. Several important pieces of legislation that I both sponsored and handled were passed by the Legislature and have the opportunity to become law. As a whole, the General Assembly enacted legislation that will help grow Missouri’s economy and implemented governmental ethics reform.
Protecting the integrity of elections
House Joint Resolution 53, which I handled as well as sponsored the corresponding Senate legislation, puts a constitutional amendment allowing the Legislature to pass a law requiring voters to have a photo ID to a statewide vote. The resolution will be considered on either the August or November ballot. House Bill 1631, which I also carried, would implement the voter ID requirements if the constitutional amendment is approved by voters. These pieces of legislation are vital to preventing voter fraud that is currently extremely difficult to detect, and they are essential to preserving the integrity of our democratic process.
I also sponsored Senate Bill 786, allowing the Secretary of State’s office to investigate election offenses, write probable cause statements and be named as a special prosecutor on election offense cases. As Missouri’s chief election officer, the Secretary of State should have legal authority in conducting investigations of election offenses and the ability to help local prosecutors when they do not have the resources or expertise to prosecute these cases.
Fighting government overreach
A main priority of mine every year I’ve served in the Legislature has been to reduce citizens’ tax burdens and prevent government overreach into taxpayers’ pockets. Senate Bill 823 ensures access to the internet is never taxed.
A significant problem I’ve witnessed in my time as a legislator is overregulation by bureaucratic state departments. Senate Bill 1025, which is awaiting the governor’s signature, corrects a reinterpretation of a sales tax law by the Department of Revenue that required gyms, dance studios and other fitness facilities to collect sales tax on instructional lessons. This law restores these classes to their tax-exempt designation as educational.
Another example brought to my attention this year was a Department of Health and Senior Services rule requiring hospitals to build fences around helicopter landing pads despite the added danger these fences pose to pilots. I sponsored Senate Bill 988 to prohibit the department from requiring fences in order to let hospitals decide what is safest for their pilots and patients.
Creating a better business climate
The Legislature passed two bills making changes to Missouri’s tort law, which will help protect businesses and job creators from frivolous lawsuits, thereby encouraging economic growth. Senate Bill 591, sponsored by Sen. Parson, R-Bolivar, aligns Missouri’s outdated standards for admitting testimony by expert witnesses in civil cases with the federal standard. Senate Bill 847, sponsored by Sen. Emery, R-Lamar, allows awards in personal injury lawsuits to be based on the actual cost of medical services rendered instead of the estimated value. This will keep insurance lower for doctors and businesses. Both of these bills create a more attractive climate for businesses, bringing economic investments and jobs to our state.
Implementing ethics reform
Missouri lawmakers considered and passed several changes to ethics laws relating to government officials. House Bill 1979, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, prohibits public officials from registering to lobby until six months after their terms have expired, effectively creating a one-session ban. House Bill 1983, sponsored by Rep. Dogan, R-Ballwin, prohibits public officials from serving as paid political consultants. These laws will help bolster the public’s trust in elected officials. House Bill 2203, sponsored by Rep. Barnes, R-Jefferson City, requires any person registering as a lobbyist to dissolve any campaign fund or committee.
The governor has 30 days from when the passed bills are delivered to him to act on the bills, either signing them into law or vetoing them. If the governor takes no action on a bill, it becomes law without his signature at the end of the 30-day period.