Senator Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for March 14, 2024

Midterm Progress Report

The annual legislative spring break began with the pounding of the Senate gavel on March 14. As a retired teacher and coach who spent more than three decades in the classroom and traveling with swim teams, I can vouch for the power of rest and tell you this hiatus is a needed refresher for everyone involved. The break also signals the halfway point of the 2024 session, so I’ll provide a midterm progress report on a few bills moving closer to the governor’s desk.

I have received numerous call and emails from many of you regarding initiative petition (IP) reform and ensuring rural voices are heard when Missourians do something as important and lasting as amending the constitution. One of the first pieces of legislation the Senate sent to the House of Representatives for consideration, Senate Joint Resolution 74, was heard by the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee on March 12. If passed by the Legislature and voters, SJR 74 will require both a majority of votes cast statewide, as well as a majority of votes cast in five of eight congressional districts, to amend our founding document.

I was disappointed the Senate passed the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program legislation on March 14. The bill has grown to 167 pages in length with all the amendments and substitutions added during negotiations, making it even more problematic in my opinion. Without substantial data, accountability measures or oversight, I am very reluctant to shift an additional $25 million into a non-vetted program and away from the 900,000 plus students enrolled in community-supported public schools. 

I’m pleased to report two of my proposals saw action this week. My bill to exempt homeless children and unaccompanied youth from paying for identification was debated on the floor March 12. Several amendments were offered, but ultimately, I laid the bill over for future discussion to reach an agreement on the contents. I look forward to perfecting the legislation soon to give a little relief to these vulnerable children. 

My other bill, which creates “Bentley and Mason’s Law” was heard by the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on March 13. Under Senate Bill 1374, a person who is convicted of driving while intoxicated and getting into an accident that causes the death of a parent or guardian will be ordered to pay monthly restitution payments to the surviving child. During her touching testimony, Cecilia Williams shared the moving story of a crash caused by a drunk driver that resulted in the death of her son, daughter-in-law and grandson, but left her two surviving grandchildren, Bentley and Mason, with no support or caregivers. These situations are an extraordinary burden and expense for family members who are then forced to raise the innocent survivors of another person’s negligence. Missouri now joins 22 other states that have considered or taken action to enact this law and shift the burden from the family to the perpetrator.

Congratulations to Park Hills’ Central High School Rebels!

The highlight of my week was welcoming the Central High School Rebels championship football team to the chamber and presenting the captains, coaches and players with a resolution for their state title and season’s accomplishments. 

Senator Gannon congratulates the Central High School Rebels football team and coaches in the chamber.