Looking at our Progress

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful start to spring. It is wonderful to see Missouri wildlife waking up after winter. Here in the Capitol, I’m preparing for the midpoint of Missouri’s legislative session. So far this session, the Senate has accomplished quite a few priorities.

First, Senate Joint Resolution 74 was passed out of the Senate. This initiative petition (IP) reform bill would require a majority of voters in a majority of the state’s congressional districts in addition to a majority of the total populace to vote to approve congressional amendments, including initiative petitions, in order for it to be added to our State Constitution. If approved by voters, I believe this priority legislation would protect the constitution and protect rural voices. 

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 754. This public safety bill establishes many different laws to help keep Missourians safe including Blair’s Law limiting celebratory gunfire and Max’s Law which increases the penalty for hurting or killing a K9 officer. Most importantly to me, it includes my own provision language from Senate Bill 746, which limits the parole of juveniles who committed second degree murder. This has been a priority of mine since last session and I am glad to see it moving to the Missouri House of Representatives in the first half of session this year.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 727. This education reform bill covers many topics but most importantly to me, it raises the minimum pay for our hardworking teachers. Minimum teacher salary would rise from $25,000 a year to $40,000 a year. This will allow Missouri to attract better teachers and keep them for the benefit of our students.

The Senate also discussed many other topics including the federal reimbursement allowance which I hope to finish addressing after we reconvene.

This week my Senate Bill 1281 was heard in the Committee on Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources. This bill would establish a system of regulation under the Department of Agriculture to label and deal with invasive plants in the state. It would create a watch list for invasive plants, as well as potentially invasive plants, and create penalties for those who plant or sell them. This will help to protect Missouri’s agriculture as well as our natural plants from invasive species that can be devastating to the natural ecosystem. 

In addition, my Senate Bill 1283 was heard in the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. This bill would remove a lot of the red tape around testing sewage and septic tanks, allowing for more of a focus on soil testing. This should create more swift and accurate sewage regulations.

Next week, the Senate will not meet, but I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the Senate when we reconvene on March 25.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.