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Legislative Actions and Information for the Week of Feb. 26, 2018 George Washington Carver once said, “There’s no shortcut to achievement.” This is true not only in life, but also in the Missouri General Assembly. As we remember these words as Black History Month and the second month of the legislative session comes to a close, important legislation continues to follow its procedural path, hoping to cross the finish line and be signed into law. The legislative process is often long and difficult, but it is one that must be followed carefully and diligently to best serve the citizens of Missouri. On The Floor The Missouri Senate had a productive week with lawmakers discussing and debating numerous legislative proposals. Over a dozen bills covering a wide range of topics, including farmers’ markets, tax credits to help children and expecting mothers and expanding virtual education opportunities for Missouri students, was perfected this week. As the week came to a close, a priority for many took center stage. Senate Bill 793 raises the age of adulthood from 17 to 18 with regard to criminal offenses. This bill protects young people and ensures they receive the appropriate punishment for their crimes and offenses. Senator Nasheed believes it is unjust to punish a 17 year old by sentencing them to jail with adult offenders. Research has shown this is a costly policy that does little to reduce recidivism. Overall, Sen. Nasheed supported this legislative proposal because it protects children. While SB 793 was being debated on the Senate floor, Sen. Nasheed proposed an amendment to further protect children forced into sex trafficking against their will. Senator Nasheed was able to include her Senate Bill 792 as an amendment to SB 793. Her amendment allows children who were trafficked against their will and charged with prostitution to petition to have those criminal records expunged. Additionally, the amendment to Senate Bill 793 increases the penalties for soliciting an underage prostitute from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Class E Felony. Overall, Senate Bill 793 received broad support during debate and it is now one vote away from being sent to the Missouri House of Representatives. While it’s important that Senate proposals are moving through the legislative process, Sen. Nasheed takes pride in certain bills not moving through the General Assembly. Senate Bill 813 penalizes those who choose to exercise their First Amendment right to protest. Senator Nasheed strongly supports a citizen’s right to protest and believes it is one of the most important freedoms established in the Constitution. She will not allow for such an important freedom to be restricted, or those who exercise this constitutional right to be penalized. “I don’t think this bill is about safety,” said Sen. Nasheed. “I think it’s about people not liking what we do to make our voices heard. If protesting upsets some people or inconveniences them for a little bit, so be it. We have a constitutional right to protest and I will not let it be chipped away in order to appease others who are upset. We have to be able to raise awareness. We have to be able to take a stand. It’s our right to do that and I’m going to protect it.” After some intense debate with Sen. Nasheed, the bill was laid over and placed on the informal calendar. Bills and Committees Senator Nasheed’s legislative priorities continue to move through the legislative process. This week, two more of her bills were heard in committee. Senator Nasheed also introduced a new bill as well. Senate Bill 584 – This bill transfers Confederate monuments and plaques located across the state to the Confederate Memorial State Historical Site in Higginsville, MO. This bill also prohibits the state or its agencies from selling or displaying the Confederate Flag unless it is in a book, museum or historical park. This bill was heard in the Senate’s General Laws Committee this week. Senate Bill 801 – This legislation raises the state’s minimum wage to $8.60 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2019. Under the bill, the minimum wage will increase by $.85 each year for the next four years, reaching $12 an hour. Senator Nasheed believes increasing the state’s minimum wage will help many hardworking Missourians. Senate Bill 801 was heard in the Senate’s Small Business and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 802 – This bill allows certain nonprofit corporations with a majority of women or minorities sitting as members of its board of directors or as officers to apply for a “women’s business enterprise” and “minority business enterprise” status. It is now on the Senate calendar awaiting debate on the floor of the Missouri Senate. Senate Bill 804 – This proposal reauthorizes the Donated Food Tax Credit until December 31, 2026. This bill was heard in the Senate’s Economic Development Committee, however this provision has been amended onto House Bill 1288. The Missouri House of Representatives approved HB 1288 house bill and sent it over to the Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 925 – This legislation addresses urban and community gardens, and has been combined with Senate Bill 627. This proposal now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. Senate Bill 994 – This bill aims to make state government more efficient and effective through consolidating data storage and modernizing several of Missouri’s policies and procedures. Senate Bill 994 is scheduled for a hearing on Mar. 7 in the Senate’s Government Reform Committee. Senate Bill 1054 – The latest bill filed by Sen. Nasheed, SB 1054 deals with establishing guidelines and requirements for school districts that have returned to local governance after being under the authority of a different governing structure. The bill is currently awaiting to be assigned to a legislative committee for further consideration. Appropriations The Senate Appropriations Committee heard from several state organizations this week. Lawmakers discussed funding requests from elected officials, the General Assembly, the state’s judiciary and the public defender’s office. Senator Nasheed has a strong interest in the criminal justice system and understands the state must have a well-resourced, well-financed criminal justice system in order to properly administer justice. As the budget process moves forward, Sen. Nasheed will keep in mind the financial needs of these departments. Other News Missouri House Launches Investigation into the Governor The Missouri House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of a resolution authorizing a legislative committee to investigate charges against the governor, who has been indicted by a St. Louis grand jury on a felony charge of first degree invasion of privacy. The Special Investigative Committee on Oversight (SICO) is bipartisan, has subpoena power through the Speaker of the House and will report back the Missouri House within 40 days on its findings, unless an extension is needed. Right to Work Vote May Move to August A resolution filed in the Missouri House of Representatives intends to move up the date for a statewide vote on a ballot measure to overturn Right to Work, which was passed by the Missouri General Assembly and signed into law in 2017. Right to Work prohibits employees from being charged union dues as terms of their employment. House Concurrent Resolution 102 would reschedule the Right to Work vote to Aug. 7, 2018 instead of the November General Election. The General Assembly has until the end of the legislative session to decide on the resolution. Candidate Filing Now Open for 2018 Elections |
Candidate filing for the August and November elections opened Feb. 27 and runs until 5 p.m. on March 27. All 163 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives and half of the 34 seats in the Missouri Senate are up for election. The seats for Missouri’s eight U.S. House of Representatives are also up for election, as well as numerous local positions. For more information on Missouri elections or candidate filings, please visit https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections.