On Monday (1-28), Senate Bill 226 was first read in the upper chamber. The measure modifies the standards for determining when a person is in need of mental health detention and evaluation. The same day, the Financial and Government Organizations and Elections Committee considered Senate Bill 82, which requires the governor to call a special election if the office of the lieutenant governor is vacated.

The Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee heard Senate Bill 13 on Tuesday (1-29). The bill eliminates solid waste management districts and reduces landfill tipping fees by the amount previously used on district overhead and administration. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 121, which repeals prohibitions on liquor wholesalers, distillers, winemakers, brewers, microbrewers and retailers having interests in one another and prohibitions on discounts. Meanwhile, the General Laws Committee heard Senate Bill 72, which designates the month of May as "Motorcycle Awareness Month.”

The Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Wednesday (1-30) conducted a hearing on Senate Bill 122, which modifies provisions regarding the state’s Sunshine Law. 

Senator Schaefer also met with Logboat Brewing Company, which received the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers and the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers award for being the first full-scale craft brewery in Columbia.

The Youth Ambassador Program, which is a statewide youth council that works to prevent underage drinking and other substance abuse among their peers, came to the Capitol on Wednesday. It was my pleasure to introduce them on the Senate floor.

Join MoDOT on Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Reynolds Alumni Center for a roundtable discussion where you can share your priorities for the future of transportation in Missouri. Engage with fellow Missourians, share your thoughts and help MoDOT identify and prioritize future projects as we update the state’s long-term transportation vision. We want to know what you want.

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.