JEFFERSON CITY — Recently, the governor signed into law three bills, sponsored or handled by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, to improve Missouri’s justice system:  Senate Bill 621, House Bill 1231, and House Bill 1238.   

“Improving judicial administration and providing greater access to justice at the state and local level have been top priorities for me as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman,” stated Sen. Dixon. “These bills reflect a commitment to fulfill this core constitutional function of state government — to keep courts open and accessible, and administer justice efficiently and effectively.” 

At the heart of the bills are two provisions with local impact to Greene County.  SB 621 includes statutory confirmation for a second additional associate circuit judge in Greene County.  Unfortunately, funding secured by Sen. Dixon in the FY 2015 state budget for the additional judge was cut by the governor when he signed the budget last month.  The bills also include a provision to better protect the public and improve local court infrastructure in Greene County through the collection of a surcharge in criminal proceedings.

In addition, these justice system bills include proposals from six other bills sponsored or handled by Sen. Dixon:

• A Joint Committee on the Justice System, to review periodically the state justice system and the new Revised Criminal Code (SB 575);
• Updates to statutes dealing with courts costs (SB 615);
• Provisions relating to criminal procedures (SB 793);
• Funding to preserve court facilities in Greene County (SB 915);
• Recommendations for changes to streamline and improve the garnishment process in Missouri, for the benefit of all parties involved (HB 1612); and
• Renewal of a state program providing grant funding to local law enforcement task forces investigating Internet crimes involving children (HB 1906).

For more information on these bills or other legislative work done by Sen. Dixon, visit his website at www.senate.mo.gov/dixon.