JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, began his tenure as chairman of the Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, Jan. 28, as the committee held its first hearing of the 100th General Assembly. The committee, which considers legislation relating to courts and Missouri criminal and civil law, heard testimony on two bills and one resolution.
Senate Bill 1 expands the list of convictions that could be eligible for expungement from an individual’s criminal record. Removing convictions for non-violent offenses would eliminate one barrier to employment and could allow Missourians to again exercise 2nd Amendment rights, proponents said. Several witnesses testified in support of the measure. No witnesses appeared in opposition. No action was taken on the bill, as its sponsor requested more time to draft final language of the legislation.
The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 9 and the related Senate Joint Resolution 2. Together, the two measures would amend Missouri’s constitution and rewrite state law to transfer the hearing of impeachment trials from the Missouri Supreme Court to the Senate. No action was taken by the committee on these measures.
“The committee had an engaging first hearing as we considered very different, but equally compelling areas of Missouri law,” said Sen. Luetkemeyer. “Both topics brought serious discussion on the part of dedicated legal professionals who demonstrated their interest in making Missouri law more just and fair, either for individuals or for the institutions of state government.”
As one of only four licensed attorneys serving in Missouri’s upper legislative chamber, and the only republican senator currently practicing law, Sen. Luetkemeyer was named chair of the committee by Senate leadership at the start of the 2019 legislative session. He is one of only three newly elected senators selected to chair a standing committee this term.
For more information about Sen. Luetkemeyer, visit www.senate.mo.gov/luetkemeyer.
###