JEFFERSON CITY — With the recent close of the 2014 legislation session, the General Assembly delivered Senate Bill 575 to the governor for final action.

Sponsored by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, and handled in the House by Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, SB 575 eliminates or consolidates a number of state boards, commissions or committees, many of which were dormant, redundant or had complete their original purpose. If signed into law by the governor, SB 575 will eliminate over 250 positions.    

“I want to thank Rep. Haahr and recognize his great work in the House to advance Senate Bill 575,” stated Sen. Dixon. “SB 575 is part of an ongoing effort to promote good government. Wherever we can reduce bureaucracy and streamline government, while preserving those boards we truly need to serve the people of Missouri, we must work together to accomplish those goals.” 

SB 575 was a companion bill to the Executive Branch Accountability Act (Senate Joint Resolution 30 and Senate Bill 507), legislation filed by Sen. Dixon to increase accountability and clarity in the gubernatorial appointments process.  SJR 30 and SB 507 would have ensured timely appointments to fill vacancies on boards and commissions, and curtailed “temporary” appointments without Senate confirmation. Various estimates have indicated 1,200 or more board or commission positions are either vacant or filled by hold-over members whose terms have expired. A January report issued by the State Auditor highlighted the detrimental impact these vacancies have on the ability of these boards or commissions to function properly.   

“Boards and commissions provide a valuable source of citizen input and volunteer involvement,” pointed out Sen. Dixon, “but not when they are allowed to outlive their usefulness or their numbers multiply. We should seize every opportunity to streamline government operations, now and in the future. Next year, I will be working on additional means to track and monitor the performance and functions of boards and commissions and — where necessary — eliminate or consolidate them.”   

For more information on these or any other bills sponsored by Sen. Dixon, please visit www.senate.mo.gov/Dixon.