The Senate didn’t shy away from any challenges this year. We tackled a number of high profile measures. Some of the problems we dealt with have been brewing for decades. We came together and worked through our differences to do what’s best for the state and its citizens. The legislation we passed will go a long way towards improving our economy and helping the working families of Missouri.

One of the biggest priorities for our area is securing funding to help Joplin rebuild. A bulk of the funds we received after the 2011 tornado was used for citizens’ immediate needs, like food, water and shelter. There wasn’t a lot left over for actually rebuilding the city’s infrastructure.

We sent to the governor legislation with the Rebuild Damaged Infrastructure Program to provide money to repair and rebuild infrastructure damaged by a presidentially declared natural disaster, among many provisions. Joplin will be eligible for these funds.

One of the most pressing problems this year was the Second Injury Fund (SIF). In 2005, the Legislature capped the surcharge on workers’ compensation insurance premiums because the fund was running at a huge surplus. Then came 2008 and the economic downturn. As unemployment rose, workers’ compensation insurance premiums fell. The state brought in less and less money for the SIF. Today, the fund is broke.

Senate Bill 1 allows the surcharge rate that funds the SIF to be raised in instances of a shortfall. By removing the previous cap on the surcharge, the rate can be adjusted to meet the fund’s needs, ensuring its solvency in the future. The bill also addresses occupational disease within the workers’ compensation system.

We also passed legislation that limits how much money uninsured accident victims can win in lawsuits. Under House Bill 339, if an uninsured motorist is injured in an accident, that driver would not be allowed to receive noneconomic damages from the insured driver in an ensuing lawsuit. The bill is a common-sense measure reinforces the requirement that all drivers carry liability insurance on their vehicle.

The Legislature approved measures dealing with the ongoing investigation of the Department of Revenue. Senate Bill 252 prohibits the department from retaining copies of source documents used to obtain a driver’s or nondriver’s license. This measure will prevent DOR from continuing its illegal practice of saving citizens’ most sensitive documents.

Additionally, we passed legislation that removes the duty of issuing CCW permits from DOR and instead authorizes local sheriffs’ departments to grant concealed carry endorsements. Both of these measures address some of the most heinous actions by the department. However, we will continue investigating until we know exactly what happened and why.

These are just a handful of the more than 100 bills sent to the governor this year. He has the option of signing them into law or vetoing them. Lawmakers will have the chance to override those vetoes in September during the annual veto session.

It’s been an honor serving the citizens of the 32nd District in the State Capitol this year. I’ll continue working on important issues during the interim. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our state government, please contact my office. Thank you.