Greetings from your Capitol city.
I mentioned last week that winter couldn’t let go and that we had snow showers. I traveled thru a snow storm Monday morning getting to the Capitol. It snowed all day Monday with about six inches of accumulation. Today, Thursday (3.17.11), temperatures are supposed to be in the 70′s. I do love Missouri weather.
The following are bills approved this week in the House:
HCS HB 213 will finally install into Missouri Statutes a true ban on late term abortions. We have a responsibility to protect those whom cannot protect themselves. The bill passed with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 120 to 37.
HJR 6 proposes amending the Missouri Constitution to include a 35th section in Article I which would guarantee the right to vote by secret ballot. This is a key in maintaining the integrity of our voting system.
HCS HB 29 establishes the Volunteer Heath Services Act which allows licensed health care providers to render volunteer professional health care services for a sponsoring organization.
HCS HB 89 changes the laws regarding deposits into the State Park Earnings Fund, notice requirements of the Clean Water Commission, and certain water pollution control fees. It eliminates the ability of the state legislature from sweeping the funds into general revenue. The funds are meant for the parks, not for general revenue.
HCS HB 431 creates the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund. It changes the laws regarding foster care case management contracts and foster care placement and sibling placement and establishes the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.
HB 252 establishes the Business Premises Safety Act which prohibits a business owner or operator from restricting any person from lawfully possessing a firearm in a motor vehicle.
HCS HB 294, 123, 125, 113, 271 and 215 includes the following provisions:
a) Prohibits the sales tax on any firearms or ammunition from being levied at a higher rate
b) Specifies that a person commits a crime of unlawful use of weapons if he or she knowingly possesses a firearm while also in possession of controlled substances
c) Allows a Missouri resident or a resident of another state to purchase any firearm if he or she conforms to federal laws and the laws of the state where they reside
d) Lowers the age at which a person can obtain a concealed carry endorsement from 23 to 21 years of age
e) No political subdivision can prohibit the use of pneumatic guns in certain areas
f) Allows the Attorney General to establish a website that lists counties or cities who do not allow the open carry of firearms.
HB 361 is called the “Missouri Firearms Freedom Act. It asserts the right of the State of Missouri to regulate the intrastate use and acquisition of certain firearms. It specifies that certain firearms, accessories or ammunition manufactured in Missouri and remain here are not subject to federal law and requires firearms manufactured in Missouri to bear the words “Made in Missouri” clearly stamped on a central metallic part.
HB 731 requires the State Highway Patrol to report the citizenship of any sexual offender for possible deportation.
I was asked at one of the meetings I attended about hunting and fishing licenses for our military. The following is information on this topic:
1) Honorably discharged resident disabled veterans can fish and hunt small game with a permit
2) Recently returning Guard and Reserve members can buy a steeply discounted permit for fishing and small game hunting ($5 instead of $19)
3) Active duty military, National Guard and Reserve deployed outside of Missouri and possess hunting or fishing license qualify for a free reinstatement of those permits upon returning.
The House will be on spring break next week.
It is a pleasure to serve as your Representative in state government.
