Weekly Column for Feb. 28, 2019
This week, the Missouri Senate wrapped up its second month of the legislative session. Since day one, we have been working on legislation spanning a wide array of subject areas intended to improve the quality of life of all Missourians. Over the course of the past week, we moved many important reforms forward. With that in mind, here is a list of some of the bills the Senate perfected this past week. These bills will need to receive another round of approval from the Missouri Senate before moving to the Missouri House of Representatives for consideration.
Senate Bill 7 aims to stop out-of-state plaintiffs from shopping around Missouri courts in search of more favorable verdicts. It also codifies the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling in State ex rel. Johnson & Johnson v. Burlison, in which the court ruled that simply joining a party to a case (joinder) is not sufficient to establish venue (where the case will be heard) and sets specific guidelines for determining venue. This bill is vital to cutting down on the number of frivolous lawsuits seen in our courts, and I believe it will go a long way in ditching our state’s reputation as the “Sue-Me State.”
Senate Bill 194 creates the crimes of unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft near a correctional center and unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft near a mental health hospital. This bill is intended to cut down on the amount of contraband entering our prisons and correctional facilities from unmanned drones.
Senate Bill 196 authorizes the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to award grants to preserve, protect or restore our state’s historic county courthouses. The department shall administer and act as the fiscal agent for the grant program and shall be responsible for receiving and reviewing grant applications and awarding grants. This bill will help local communities preserve and restore the many historic courthouses across our great state.
While it was a busy week in the State Capitol, I am proud of the work accomplished by my Senate colleagues. Through hard work and open and honest debate, I am confident that we can pass conservative, commonsense legislation that will make our great state a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (573) 751-3678 or by email at dave.schatz@senate.mo.gov if you have any questions.