The 2014 legislative session has come to an end and over the last four months 190 bills were passed. Most of those bills await the governor’s signature. Several bills that I sponsored or handled are likely to become law later this year and I want to highlight several of those for you.

Senate Joint Resolution 27 was one of my top priorities and passed on the session’s final day. This does not go to the governor, but instead requires voter approval and will be on the August 4th ballot.

SJR 27 proposes a change to the state constitution that a person's electronic communication and data are protected from unreasonable search and seizure by state and local government. It is essential to our liberties that the laws of our state have provisions in place protecting the privacy of its citizens. As technology continues to advance and concerns grow regarding government intrusion in the digital age, this proposed amendment would bring our state constitution into the 21st Century. I am proud this issue now goes before the voters and will improve the state constitution.

Another high priority for me this session can be found in House Bill 2004, which includes $2 million for construction and repairs of levees located near St. Joe to help protect Rosecrans Memorial Airport, the home of the National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing.

During the massive floods of 1993 and 2011, the levees did not fully protect the airport as they should have and put the guard base at risk. By securing this funding for our district, we can continue the maintenance process for the levees necessary to protect the airport and Air Guard unit from future devastating flood waters. The airport is an economic driver for our region and improves the long-term well-being of both our city and state.

Another measure, one that I have sponsored for several years, allows some of the non-resident entertainer and athlete income tax to be used by Missouri arts and humanities groups. Now passed, Senate Bill 612 allows this specific tax to be allocated to the Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund, the Missouri Humanities Council Trust Fund, the Missouri State Library Networking Fund, and the Missouri Historic Preservation Revolving Fund. Allocations can now continue to be made to these entities through Dec. 31, 2020. In recent years, these allocations have been placed in the general budget as revenue and used for other purposes.

I was also pleased when the current fourth grade class from St. Joseph’s Pershing Elementary School was on hand to see their legislation finally pass.  House Bill 1063, sponsored by Rep. Pat Conway, D-St Joseph, is similar to Senate Bill 669, which I sponsored.  Both name the jumping jack as the official state exercise. The fourth grade class that began pushing for this legislation in 2009 recently completed the ninth grade and closely followed the legislation this session. These students learned the rigors of the legislative process while pushing for a healthier Missouri and the recognition of one of its greatest citizens, General John J. Pershing.

If you have any questions about this year’s session, please visit the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov), where you can review legislation, keep track of important dates, and more. If I can be of assistance or can answer any questions, contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-2183.