Protecting Oregon County Land
This first week of February has been a positive one for the 33rd District here at the Capitol. I’m happy to announce that two of my proposed pieces of legislation received hearings and a large amount of support, and the Senate truly perfected and passed one of Sen. Sater’s bills that I support on to the House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, Feb. 10, my legislation dealing with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) property sales, SB 1011, was heard in the Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee hearing. This bill would require the director of the DNR to sell certain tracts of recently purchased land in Oregon County at public auction before the end of 2016. My Senate bill seeks to remove wrongfully claimed Oregon County land from government ownership and give it back to the public where it belongs, so the property can again be a generator of tax revenue for their schools.
I am happy to note that my bill received much support during its hearing from residents all over District 33 and Iron County. Only two representatives from the Sierra Club and State Parks Service testified in opposition at the hearing. I am hopeful that my bill will be voted out of committee and moved to the Senate floor where it will be opened for debate. As your state senator, I make it my responsibility to make sure your state government is working in your best interests, and this Senate bill is one of my efforts to do just that.
My second piece of legislation that received a hearing this week, SB 683, would do away with the property tax exemption currently in place on lands owned by the DNR. This legislation ensures that all wrongfully claimed lands held by the Department will still generate tax revenue for the area schools. This bill was heard during the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, Feb. 11, and if passed, will work together with SB 1011 to prevent the DNR from denying Missourians tax revenue through shady land grabs and back door dealings.
Finally, I have to congratulate Sen. Sater as his Senate Bill 677 , which will save lives, was successfully passed out of the Senate and moved to the House on Thursday, Feb. 11. This legislation seeks to increase the availability and ease of access to epinephrine auto-injectors (epi-pens) in places like restaurants, recreation camps and sports arenas in case of emergency. Often times in situations where severe allergic reactions occur, a life or death situation can be determined in a matter of minutes, or even seconds. Sen. Sater’s bill would promote the distribution and knowledge about epi-pens throughout the state, and could help save lives during emergency situations.
As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882.