We literally hit the ground running this week!

When I arrived at the Capitol Monday afternoon, I had the opportunity to present four of my bills to the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee. Several of the bills are legislative ideas from last year that did not end up making it through the full legislative process last session.  Senate Bill 53, the Iran Energy Divestment Act, is a piece of legislation that was brought to me by the American Jewish Committee in St. Louis.  The act would prohibit the state and other political subdivisions from entering into contracts with parties that have a significant investment in the Iran energy sector.  Nancy Lisker, the regional director of the AJC, provided testimony on the current nuclear situation in Iran and emphasized the cumulative effect it would have if Missouri were to join the 24 other states that have already enacted similar divestment policies. I am grateful for all the work Nancy and her colleagues have done to help move this legislation forward.

During the same committee hearing, I also had the opportunity to present several bills related to the election process in Missouri.  Senate Bill 54 and Senate Joint Resolution 4 would work in conjunction to require the governor and lieutenant governor to be elected jointly.  SJR 4 would put forth a constitutional amendment that would be submitted to a vote of the people, and SB 54 would put into place the corresponding statute changes.  I believe that electing the governor and Lt. governor on the same ticket would provide better cohesion among the two offices and would foster a more cooperative working relationship in our government. 

The fourth and final bill I presented on Monday was Senate Bill 79, which would move the primary election day from August to June.  It is my belief that this bill would allow a candidate for the general election more time to become better acquainted with the voters in his or her district.

On Tuesday, the Senate spent several hours perfecting bills in the morning, and then worked late into the evening on Senate Bill 1.  I was very pleased to see the Senate come together with a compromise on Senate Bill 1, which relates to the Second Injury Fund and the workers’ compensation system.  The perfected version of SB 1 would limit claims to the Second Injury Fund to those for a total disability where the second injury affects the first.  Claims for occupational disease will now follow a two-tier system based on the type of disease.  The bill also states that occupational diseases are exclusively covered under the workers’ compensation laws and imposes modest time limitations on the period for outstanding claims.

Also on Tuesday, my staff spent time in a House committee hearing to listen to testimony on a bill filed by Rep. Jeanie Lauer, R-Blue Springs, regarding adoption laws in Missouri.  The bill creates contact preference forms and medical history forms for parents who put their children up for adoption to complete.  Such forms allow parents to state whether or not they wish to be contacted and also allow parents to disclose information about their medical history to help the adopted child have a better understanding of what illnesses and disease may run in their families.  The bill also provides adoptees with access to birth certificates on a go-forward basis.  I applaud Rep. Lauer for her work in this very sensitive area of the law and look forward to hopefully having the opportunity to consider and debate similar adoption-related issues in the Missouri Senate this session.

Wednesday morning began with a hearing for the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  The committee voted “do pass” on Senate Bill 176, legislation that would name the new bridge in St. Louis the Stan Musial Memorial Bridge.  We also heard a bill sponsored by Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, that would increase the seat belt fine from $10 to $50 (SB 62).  Many parties testified to the positive impact this bill would have on the use of seatbelts, especially when it comes to teenage drivers.   In addition to the committee hearing, the Senate had a busy day on the floor where senators perfected several bills.  Throughout the day, I also had an opportunity to welcome constituents from the 24th District who were in town for the dental hygienist advocacy day at the Capitol and constituents with the Missouri Coalition of Community Health Centers.

Thursday morning brought another great hearing of the Senate Ways & Means Committee where senators discussed tax policy in Missouri.  Thereafter, the Senate third read more than 15 bills that were passed during debate throughout the week, which can be stated as nothing short of productive.

I look forward to returning to the Capitol next week where we will have an opportunity to discuss legislation pertaining to immigration and domestic violence in the Senate Seniors, Families & Pensions Committee in addition to all the legislation that will be brought forward on the Senate floor.

Best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful weekend!