Government Efficiency Measure Passes Senate Senate Bill 890, my bill repealing or consolidating more than a dozen defunct boards and commissions, passed this week by the Senate. This legislation requires state departments overseeing administrative entities to submit an annual report to the Missouri Legislature identifying any entity that has not met or conducted public business in the prior three years. Senate Bill 890 works to streamline state government operations by eliminating entities that are no longer active and strengthening reporting requirements to help prevent future inefficiencies. I believe Missouri taxpayers deserve a government that is efficient and affordable. By removing boards and commissions that no longer function and increasing oversight of administrative entities, we are ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and transparently. This Week’s Committee Activity Senate Bill 1060 was discussed in the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. This bill was introduced because of a dispute over water service for a proposed $400 million James Hardie Building Products plant in Jefferson County near Crystal City. The plant would bring about 240 full-time jobs to the area. However, the project has been delayed because it’s unclear which water provider will supply the large amount and specific quality of water the facility needs. This bill applies only to Jefferson County and establishes a new process that allows property owners who meet specific, limited criteria to separate from a public water supply district under defined conditions. Senate Bill 1239 was heard in the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee. The bill exempts groceries from sales taxes. Exempting groceries from sales taxes ensures we are not funding essential services by taxing necessities of life. Senate Bill 1058 was heard in the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee. The bill prevents local governments from prohibiting a person from planting sunflowers in their yard. Senate Sends Measures to the House The first bill third read and passed out the Senate this session was Senate Bill 937, which authorizes the state to sell several properties throughout the state. Other measures passed in the Senate include: - Senate Bill 1020, Modifies provisions relating to Department of Revenue fee offices, approved 30-0.
- Senate Bill 994, Modifies provisions relating to the filing of income tax returns, approved 28-2.
- Senate Bill 914, Modifies provisions relating to sewage regulation, approved 29-1.
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