Senator Jill Carter's Capitol Report

Update on Bill Progress

Last week, I presented three of my bills before different committees. You can find brief summaries of my sponsored legislation and watch my committee presentations by clicking the links below.

Senate Bill 85 would allow school districts that are 60% locally funded more local control. You can watch my presentation on this legislation here.

Senate Bill 86 would allow the sale of Grade A retail raw milk in stores. This milk is processed with stainless steel equipment and inspected by the local health department. You can watch my presentation here.

Senate Bill 164 is the Save Women's Sports Act. This bill protects females at both high school and collegiate levels by limiting locker rooms to one gender and preventing biological males from competing on female sports teams. You can watch my committee presentation on this legislation here. 

Status of My Sponsored Legislation

Senate Bill 84: Freedom to Farm Act - Awaiting hearing in Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee
Senate Bill 85: Local control school districts - hearing conducted 1/31/2023 - Approved by the Education and Workforce Development Committee on 2/7/2023   
Senate Bill 86: Raw Milk - hearing conducted 1/31/2023 - Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee
Senate Bill 164: Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act - Second Read and Referred - Emerging Issues Committee
Senate Bill 165: Save Women's Sports Act - hearing conducted 01/31/2023 - Emerging Issues Committee
Senate Bill 166: Religious Liberty - Schools - Awaiting hearing in Education and Workforce Development Committee
Senate Bill 230: Home School Sports and Activities - First Read
Senate Bill 232: Immunizations - First Read
Senate Bill 364: Property Tax - Schools - First Read
Senate Bill 428: Religious Liberty – Human Rights Act - First Read
Senate Bill 429: Drag Queen - First Read
Senate Bill 430: Environmental, Social and Governance Contracts - First Read
Senate Bill 436: Environmental, Social and Governance Pensions - First Read
Senate Bill 454: Gas Tax Repeal - First Read
Senate Bill 518: CPL Ben Cooper Memorial Bridge - First Read
Senate Joint Resolution 28: Ratification Reform - Awaiting hearing in Local Government and Elections Committee
Senate Joint Resolution 29: Parental Rights - Awaiting hearing in Education and Workforce Development Committee

Physical Therapy Bill

On Thursday, Feb. 2, the Senate passed Senate Bill 51, which would allow direct access to physical therapists. Under this act, physical therapists with five years of clinical experience can treat patients without a physician’s referral. Physical therapists shall refer patients with conditions beyond the scope of practice of physical therapy, as well as patients who do not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement within ten visits or 30 days, to an approved health care provider.

Gubernatorial Appointments Committee Hearing

I had the privilege of sponsoring Tracy Gorman-White's appointment to the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund Board of Trustees. The governor appointed Tracy Gorman-White on Dec. 12, 2022, and the Senate confirmed her appointment last week. 

Downtown Joplin Alliance

I welcomed members of the Downtown Joplin Alliance, including the organization’s executive director, Lori Haun, to my office. They were joined by members of Missouri Main Street Connection. 

Visiting Carl Junction High School

As a state senator, I have enjoyed interacting with students in Neosho and Carl Junction. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do. I was blessed to speak with two American history classes at Carl Junction High School and share information about the duties of a state senator and the legislative process.

Protecting Second Amendment Rights

I recently visited Black Rain Ordinance, a state-of-the-art training facility in Newton County that teaches proper firearm safety and usage. Black Rain Ordinance is one of the largest gun manufacturers in Missouri and specializes in AR-15 rifles.  

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) recently finalized a new regulation regarding attached stabilizing braces for firearms. This new rule defines a rifle as a firearm with a barrel of 16 inches or longer and designed to be fired from the shoulder. This definition includes any attachments, parts or components that enhance the ability to fire the weapon from the shoulder, as long as it also meets the other criteria in the definition. 

The rule’s amended definitions allow the ATF to consider a firearm with a barrel shorter than 16 inches and equipped with a brace a short-barred rifle and subject to all regulations and restrictions that apply to pistols. This will impact millions of currently legal firearms with braces, and gun owners will be required to register these weapons with the ATF. Failure to do so would break a federal regulation and could result in criminal charges. This is an infringement on our right to keep and bear arms, and I will continue to do all I can to protect our second amendment rights. I was honored to co-sign a letter with several of my colleagues to Missouri’s attorney general, encouraging him to stand up to the current administration’s attack on law abiding gun owners. 

Weekly Podcast

I am doing a podcast every week to recap what is happening in Jefferson City. This week, I discuss my concerns with the push to expand Medicaid. Access this week's podcast here.

It is an honor to serve the 32nd Senatorial District. If my office can be of service to you, please feel free to contact us at 573-751-2173. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Carter.

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