This week the Missouri Senate hosted a Memorial Service for the distinguished former senators who have passed away since May 1987. It was the first time in nearly 30 years an event like this has been held in our chamber. Together, with the families of the former senators, we celebrated the lawmakers' lives and legacies and remembered their dedicated service. The memorial service recognized the contributions and sacrifices made by their families during the term of each senator. Each former senator was recognized by a roll call and a rose, and family members were invited to a reception immediately following the ceremony. I was privileged to honor James F. Patterson and Danny Staples by answering their name at roll call and placing a flower at the Dais in their memory.

To read more about each senator who was remembered this week during the Senate's Memorial Service, visit the Senate Memorial page at www.senate.mo.gov and click on the Senate Memorial link.

Legislation that would update Missouri’s aging criminal code, by creating a new classification for misdemeanors and increasing the fine for certain felonies, was approved by the Senate last week. Senate Bill 491 is a culmination of numerous years of bipartisan support to help bring Missouri's criminal code into the 21st Century. Among other important provisions, the bill would keep consistent with current state law regarding child molestation, sexual misconduct involving a child, sexual contact with a student and providing pornography to minors; ensure that crimes count toward repeat sex offenders and enhanced sentences. A similar House bill designed to update Missouri’s criminal code has also been passed out of the House and sent over to the Senate for debate.

After a week of negotiation, a conference committee designed to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2014 supplemental budget delivered their final draft of the bill to both chambers. House Bill 2014 received huge support in the House and Senate, sending the legislation to the governor for his signature. This supplemental measure will adjust funding for state department operations for the remainder of this fiscal year — which ends June 30. A major component of the bill was $22 million designated for Missouri's K-12 school foundation formula.

The Senate gave final approval this week for a bill that would change state law regarding who may lawfully occupy rental property and procedures to evict a tenant. The legislation would also allow courts to order the immediate removal of individuals who are not lawfully occupying a rental unit as either a tenant or a lessee. I offered an amendment to Senate Bill 655 which was adopted. The amendment states that the “Claim of Right” defense does not apply to tenants who willingly damage rental property. This will help allow law enforcement more aggressively investigate tenants who commit property crimes and help landlords recover damages.

The Senate also advanced legislation to the House that would stop obtrusive and unnecessary inspection of certain Missourians' fuel tanks. Currently, the Department of Revenue (DOR) may conduct inspections and remove samples of diesel fuel in order to determine the color of that fuel. Red-dyed fuel is allowed for certain uses, including off-road purposes for farming or construction. Citizens using this fuel type may apply for a refund of the Missouri fuel tax because they are not utilizing this fuel on our public roadways. Inspections allowed by DOR could be limited under Senate Bill 842, which would ban inspections from any individuals who are not holding the fuel for wholesale or retail sale and who is not located at certain places. However, DOR may inspect those fuel takes when it has reasonable suspicion to believe a violation is being committed.

Capitol Visitors

Aaron Burton and Justin Dobbins from the Neelyville School District meet with Sen. Libla in his office on April 16, 2014.

Lee Spilberg of Poplar Bluff stopped by representing Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA is a volunteer program through which juvenile court judges appoint individuals as advocates for children who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. This is a great opportunity for those who would like to serve and help children that are in great need. It is reported that over 60 percent of children in the foster system have no access to a CASA volunteer. You can make a big difference in a child’s life! Please call Lee at (573) 776-7830 or email casa36@semo.net for more information.  

If you would like to read more about the legislation or committees mentioned in this column, visit www.senate.mo.gov/libla. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.