Since the First Regular Session of the 99th General Assembly adjourned in mid-May, the governor has called state lawmakers back to Jefferson City for two special sessions — the second of which is still ongoing. Also in the weeks since the 2017 regular session concluded, the governor has approved roughly 30 measures, as well as the budget for Fiscal Year 2018. The following are a few of the bills that have been signed into law and will soon take effect.

In mid-June, the governor signed House Bill 151, which will allow the Department of Revenue to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and IDs; however, rather than forcing Missourians to get a compliant ID, this legislation will give citizens the option of choosing if they want a compliant ID.

The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 set minimum standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. The Act requires states to scan and retain source documentation of Missouri citizens. Citing privacy concerns, many states, including Missouri, chose not to comply with the law. Then, in 2009, state lawmakers passed a bill to ban the DOR from complying with the Act. On Jan. 22, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security will implement the next phase of the Act, which requires passengers to present a REAL ID-compliant license before they’re allowed to board domestic flights. As such, passing a REAL-ID fix was a priority for many lawmakers this session.

Also in June, the governor signed a measure that will help strengthen Missouri laws relating to child protection. Among other provisions, Senate Bill 160 modifies the definitions of child abuse and child neglect to include victims of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking. Additionally, the definition of "those responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child" is modified to add any person who takes control of the child by deception, force or coercion. It also creates the Foster Care Bill of Rights, which states that the best interests of the child shall be the first priority of the Children’s Division in all circumstances.

On Thursday, the governor signed Senate Bill 34, which modifies and creates new provisions relating to criminal offenses. Among other provisions, it establishes the “Blue Alert System” to aid in the in the notification of the general public in instances where law enforcement officers are killed or injured. Under this act, knowingly making a false report that triggers an alert is a Class A misdemeanor unless the false report results in serious injury or death, in which case it’s a Class E felony.

Senate Bill 34 also adds children’s museums to the list of public places where individuals found guilty of certain offenses against minors can’t knowingly be present in or loiter within 500 feet.

In local news, the governor has vetoed a resolution that approved funding for the construction of a new Conservatory of Music and Dance on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus. Including furnishings and equipment, the projected cost is $96 million. Of that, lawmakers had agreed to pay 50 percent, or $48 million, on or before July 1, 2020, by revenue bonds, which would’ve been secured by a pledge of future appropriations. The remaining costs were to be funded by contributions, donations, grants and 30 other funds provided by the Curators of the University of Missouri. Shortly before the governor’s veto came down, the UM System said it wasn’t going to rely on state assistance and would find the other half of the funding on its own. More specific information about how the funding will be raised is expected this fall.

On June 30, the governor signed into law Senate Bill 43, a “pro-business” piece of legislation that will harm Missouri workers by making it more difficult for those who have been discriminated against to get justice.

Under current Missouri law, to win an employment discrimination case, an employee only has to prove a protected status, such as race or religion, was a contributing factor in their termination or mistreatment. Now, thanks to SB 43, an employee will have to prove bias was a motivating factor in their employer’s discrimination. Among several other harmful provisions, SB 43 also caps the amount of punitive damages an employee who has been discriminated against can receive.

There is no other way to put it, SB 43 will make it easier for employers to discriminate against their employees. As a woman and an African American, I find this legislation particularly egregious, troubling and hurtful, and I’m profoundly disappointed the governor has given it his endorsement.  

Also on June 30, the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. Along with his signature came the news that he’s withholding $251 million in spending, much of which will affect higher education and state health and social services. Here are just a few of the governor’s withholds:

• $60 million from the Department of Social Services’ supplemental need appropriation;
• $24 million in higher education core funding; and
• $15 million for public school transportation.

Perhaps most disappointingly, the governor also vetoed House Committee Bill 3, which would’ve allowed the Office of Administration to do a one-time sweep of $35.4 million in unused funds from Missouri’s various boards, commissions, agencies, etc. The money would then be deposited into the Missouri Senior Services Protection Fund to cover the costs of the circuit breaker program in its current form, as well as in-home and nursing care services for those at risk of losing their care. Without the funding HCB 3 would’ve provided, I fear we’re going to see many of our seniors end up in nursing homes much sooner than they would’ve if they still had access to the critical community-based services that allow them to stay in the comfort of their own homes.

Fiscal Year 2018 began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2018.

It continues to be an honor serving the men, women and children of Missouri’s 9th Senate District. Please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City. You may access my Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/mem09/.

To find a complete list of the governor’s actions on measures passed by the Legislature during the 2017 regular legislative session, please click here or visit the Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov.