JEFFERSON CITY — Before adjourning for the week, members of the Senate and House sent to the governor for his approval legislation that would “fix” provisions regarding communication between school district employees and students, and a measure that would help attract high-tech science and innovation industries to the state.
“Facebook Fix” Receives General Assembly’s
Final Approval
Shortly after lawmakers on the other side of the building gave their final approval to Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, the measure was signed by the Senate President Pro Tem and delivered to the governor for his consideration. With his signature, Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, fulfilled the final technical step for the legislation in the Senate.
Passed during the 2011 regular session, Senate Bill 54 required each school district to create a written policy addressing appropriate communication between public school students and employees by Jan. 1, 2012. These policies were to ensure that any online or electronic communications between teachers and students were transparent, allowing school administrators and parents to access exchanges between teachers and students.
However, just days before the legislation was supposed to take effect (Aug. 28), a Missouri judge granted an injunction (lasting 180 days) against this communication provision in SB 54. The remaining provisions of the legislation took effect as scheduled.
This action prompted the Legislature to address a way to fix the portion of the legislation regarding ways students, teachers, and other school district employees communicate with each other online. Senate Bill 1 repeals communication provisions and requirements found in SB 54, and pushes back the call for school districts to develop written policies, which must include the use of electronic and social media, to prevent improper communication between staff members and students. This deadline was moved to March 1, 2012.
In addition, SB 1 removes the provisions against teachers establishing and using a work- and nonwork-releated website, such as Facebook, that gives them exclusive access with a current or former student without the site open to availability to school administrators and children’s legal guardians.
Senate Bill 1, with the governor’s signature, would take effect 90 days after his approval.
Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act Passed by the Senate
The Senate President Pro Tem also lent his signature to Senate Bill 7 before it was delivered to the governor for his approval. This measure, sponsored by Sen. Mayer, would establish the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, also known as MOSIRA.
Designed to target economic growth and attract jobs for high-tech areas of science and innovation industries in Missouri, MOSIRA would create a funding source for these desired industries by capturing a small percentage of growth in state revenue over a base year from a designated group of science and innovation companies in the state. Money generated through this funding source would go into the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Fund, designed to attract more high-tech jobs to Missouri. Funding for this credit would be subject to appropriations.
Like the other special session measure delivered to the governor, SB 7 would take effect 90 days following the governor’s signature. However, the measure states that it would only take effect upon the approval of SB 8, still under consideration in the House.
Senate Interim Committee on Natural Disaster Recovery Releases Final Report
After conducting public hearings across the state and listening to citizens’ testimony, the Senate Interim Committee on Natural Disaster Recovery, chaired by Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, released its final report in mid-September. The report contains testimony heard at various public meetings held throughout the state, and contains recommendations from the subcommittees that make up the overarching panel.
The public meetings conducted throughout the summer were hosted by the panel’s three subcommittees: Subcommittee on Emergency Response, Subcommittee on Fiscal Response, and the Subcommittee on Insurance Response. Each panel was responsible for focusing on specific areas of disaster recovery, after a string of natural disasters struck the state.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Response held two meetings — the first in Springfield, and the second in Jefferson City. Testimony included emergency management and the economy, the importance of resource centers to help victims and volunteers, and how funding can be distributed more adequately. Lawmakers on this panel included Sen. Mike Kehoe (chair), R-Jefferson City; Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles; Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit; Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington; Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City; and Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City.
The Subcommittee on Fiscal Response met at the State Capitol in mid-August to consider how state departments and local officials responded to several natural disasters in Missouri, including the Joplin tornado. Guests spoke about costs they face that aren’t covered by insurance, the cost of debris cleanup, and other matters. Panel members included Sen. Kurt Schaefer (chair), R-Columbia; Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla; Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown; Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis; Sen. S. Kiki Curls, D-Kansas City; and Sen. Timothy Green, D-Spanish Lake.
Finally, the Subcommittee on Insurance Response concluded its meeting schedule by consulting with different state and local agencies during their investigations regarding citizens’ assistance with navigating the insurance process during natural disaster recovery. Committee members included Sen. Mike Parson (chair), R-Bolivar; Sen. Box Dixon, R-Springfield; Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville; Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa; Senate Minority Floor Leader Victor Callahan, D-Independence; and Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City.
To listen to “The Senate Minute” for Aug. 23, which highlights the full hearing conducted by the Senate Interim Committee on Natural Disaster Recovery, please click here.
The Missouri Senate has adjourned until Monday, Sept. 26, when it will convene at 10:30 a.m. for a technical session.
To follow these and other issues facing the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. Visitors can track legislation as it passes through the General Assembly, learn more about their district, or, when the Legislature is in session, listen to streaming audio of legislative debate as it happens. For more legislative news, please visit the Senate Newsroom. There you will find various audio and video programs and other services, such as:
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