JEFFERSON CITY — Recently, I was honored to speak to the Whiteman Air Force Base (WAFB) Community Council about some of the many measures that have passed the General Assembly in the last decade or so. It is important to strive to become a more military–friendly state and be great hosts while these heroic men and women are guests in Missouri. To help make this happen, legislation passed in 2005 was vital in creating a commission that has been responsible for many military-friendly bills reaching the legislative finish line.

My 2005 bill, House Bill 348, along with Senate Bill 252, created the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission (MMPEC), in order to advise the governor and the General Assembly on many different issues affecting the military. These measures also gave the responsibility of the 3,000 foot unincorporated area bordering WAFB to the Military Airport Zoning Commission in order to avoid any potential airport hazards and encroachment. It is overseen by the Johnson County Commission.

In 2007, House Bill 444 set up a six-year phase-in period for an income tax elimination on Social Security benefits and non-private retirement systems, which affected retired military pensions. Two sessions later, we improved upon that piece of legislation and allowed retirees to get the exemption immediately upon retirement, and not have to wait until the age of 62.

In 2010, I handled a House bill in the Senate, House Bill 1524 that required the Secretary of State to set up procedures that would enable overseas voters and military members to request voter registration and absentee ballot applications. A measure in 2013, Senate Bill 116, set up similar parameters, and took effect July 1. This will be used for the first time at the August 5 primary. As of this week, the portal created by the Secretary of State’s office can be found online at www.momilitaryvote.com.

Knowing that one day all our active duty, guard and reserve members will become veterans, one of the most important pieces of legislation passed in the last 10 years was 2012’s House Bill 1731, which created a dedicated source of funding for Missouri’s seven veterans’ homes and five veterans’ cemeteries. One of the greatest things we can do as a state is to make certain we support those who fought for this country, and this bill dedicates the resources to do just that.

The Missouri General Assembly has long recognized the importance of appreciating the work and dedication of both active and past members of the military to our state and its economy. A number of other bills help to solidify Missouri as a military-friendly state. Senate Bill 106 from 2013 contains provisions that allow certain military courses as higher education credit and also establishes child custody and visitation rights for deployed military parents. And, in the most recent session, we passed House Bill 1125, which allows a member of the Armed Forces on active duty to file for candidacy via certified mail or proxy.

As a lawmaker, it is my honor to continue to bring military-friendly legislation before my colleagues. I look forward to the future and to looking for more ways to offer beneficial legislation for the many military personnel both from and based in Missouri. Our work will never be finished as we continue to work toward making Missouri the most military-friendly state in the country.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.