The First Session of the 99th General Assembly is now well underway. The budget has had its first committee hearing and other bills have begun to make their way through the legislative process. With session underway, I wanted to give an update on where some of my bills are in the legislative process.
This session I have filed 21 pieces of legislation, 15 of which I filed before session began. The deadline for filing Senate Bills is March 1, and March 15 is the deadline for getting legislation on the Senate consent calendar, so there is still plenty of time in the process for bills to pass both the House and Senate and be sent to the governor and signed into law.
Several pieces of legislation I filed this year include measures aimed at making life easier for everyday Missourians like Senate Bill 65, which legalizes the already common practice of leaving boat railings off small fishing boats. This bill was passed out of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety, which I chair, on Jan. 19. I am hopeful Senate Bill 65 will be heard on the Senate floor soon.
I also filed, Senate Bill 231 the Narcotics Control Act, also known as the Prescription Drug Monitoring Database (PDMP). This legislation, which has support from health care professionals, addiction specialists and the majority of citizens from the 26th District, was heard in the Senate’s Health and Pensions Committee on Jan. 25. I expect there to be more passionate testimony at the bills next hearing.
I also filed Senate Bill 314, which is the same as Senate Bill 231 in that it will establish a PDMP. This bill was heard in the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee this week. I plan on fighting for passage of this legislation.
Senate Bill 64, would name a bridge for Lyndon Ebker, the Missouri Department of Transportation employee who was tragically killed in an accident while inspecting a bridge. Just this week this legislation was placed on the Senate consent calendar.
Senate Bill 265 would create the Blue Alert System in Missouri. This system would help with the identification, location, and apprehension of any individual or individuals suspected of killing or seriously injuring any law enforcement officer. The Department of Public Safety will coordinate with law enforcement agencies and public television and radio broadcasters to implement the system, which is similar to the Amber Alert System. Both before his inauguration and in his State of the State address the governor mentioned the need for a Blue Alert System in Missouri. There are 27 other states who have systems similar to this in place. The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee, which I chair.
Thank you for reading this weekly column. Please contact my office at (573) 751-3678 if you have any questions.