Every year, it seems, legislative sessions go by faster. And this year is no different, as we have reached the halfway mark of the 2013 legislative session. We have advanced numerous measures over the last two months that will positively impact our state and its citizens, if enacted into law.

Some of this legislation, which I am sponsoring this session, has been debated in the Missouri Senate. Senate Bill 16 would exempt farm work performed by children under the age of 16 from certain child labor requirements. This measure is in the Missouri House. The same is true for Senate Bill 17, which would establish the Career and Technical Education Advisory Board Council, responsible for developing a statewide, long-range plan for career and technical education; identifying legislative recommendations to improve career and technical education; promoting coordination of existing career and technical programs; and directing disbursements and administering the Career and Technical Board Fund. Senate Bill 18 is also in the House, and would require agencies to track federal fund usage, political subdivisions and charter schools to disclose indebtedness, the governor to report withholdings, as well as remove the auditor from the Board of Fund Commissioners.

In addition, Senate Bill 41 would modify the laws regarding certain private nuisance actions; Senate Bill 42 would allow setoff of income tax refunds and lottery payouts for unpaid debts to county jails and bar debtors from holding a concealed carry endorsement or license to hunt or fish; Senate Bill 43 would increase the weight allowance for vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology from 400 pounds to 550 pounds to reflect change in federal law; and Senate Bill 51 would modify provisions of law relating to the regulation of motor vehicles. This would allow exemptions of certain regulations for farmers hauling their own products. All of these measures await House committee action.

Senate Bill 89 has been referred to the House General Laws Committee. This proposal would allow nursing home districts to establish and maintain senior housing in any third or fourth class county.

Among my higher priority pieces of legislation is Senate Bill 150, which would declare certain federal firearm laws unenforceable. The measure would also make it a crime for public officers, agents, and employees and licensed firearms dealers to enforce such laws. This measure has been voted by the Senate General Laws Committee and awaits possible debate by the full Missouri Senate, which I hope happens soon after we return to Jefferson City for the remainder of the legislative session.

You can see a complete list of legislation on my Senate Web page: www.senate.mo.gov/Munzlinger.

It is always nice to get a break during session, come back home and visit with people in the district. We still need more rain in northeast Missouri, because there are a lot of farmers who are still reeling from the weather extremes we have suffered through over the last three years.

As always, if you have any comments questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you.