Greetings! The 2013 session began Wednesday, Jan. 9. I have already filed 12 bills in the Missouri Senate. If passed:

• Senate Bill 12 would provide immunity from civil liability for court appointed attorneys. Court appointed attorneys may be liable where they acted intentionally wrong or with malice or corruption.

• Senate Bill 72 would designate the month of May as “Motorcycle Awareness Month.”

• Senate Bill 73 would prohibit law enforcement agencies from establishing roadside checkpoint or road block patterns based upon a particular vehicle type, including the establishment of motorcycle-only checkpoints.

• Senate Bill 81 would give the courts discretion to award attorney’s fees to prevailing parties in civil actions where civil rights have been violated.

• Senate Bill 82 would require the governor to call a special election if the office of lieutenant governor is vacated.

• Senate Bill 98 would exempt an animal shelter from the payment of any licensing and other fees under the provisions of the Animal Care Facilities Act. The measure would also reduce the maximum amount a commercial breeder can be charged for a license from $2,500 to $1,000 per year.

• Senate Bill 122 would modify provisions relating to Missouri’s open records law, commonly known as the Sunshine Law. This bill ensures that most government meetings and decisions continue to be made accessible to the public.

• Senate Bill 130 would increase the penalty for anyone who fails to yield the right of way in certain instances.

• Senate Joint Resolution 3 would amend the Missouri Constitution to provide the authority for a Fifth State Building Bond issue. The bonds would provide funds for construction, renovation, and rebuilding of buildings for higher education institutions. At least 15 percent of the bond proceeds must be allocated to community colleges.

Inauguration will be held Monday, Jan. 14, and is open to the public. You can find the schedule of events at www.mo.gov/inauguration.

The Senate will not be in session Monday, Jan. 21, in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The governor will issue his State of the State address in the House chamber on Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m.

Thank you for your interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Cooper counties.  If you have any questions or concerns throughout this session or plan on coming by the office, please contact my office at (573) 751-3931.

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