The First Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly officially ended at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15. This session, your Missouri lawmakers diligently worked to send more than 150 bills to the governor for his consideration. As of this report, roughly 24 of those measures are set to become law. For the remaining bills, the governor has the option of signing them, vetoing them or taking no action and allowing them to become law.

Several pieces of legislation I sponsored or co-sponsored this session were successfully passed by the Legislature and are among those currently waiting for the governor’s consideration.

Shown above, Sen. Walsh discusses legislation on the Senate floor during the 2015 session.

Senate Bill 435 conveys two acres of land from the State of Missouri to St. Louis County, so that St. Louis County Parks can build a standard shelter at the location. This location is near an existing county park where the Nature Conservatory and the Friends of Fort Belle Fontaine Park host an annual Eagle Watch Day and Harvest Hay Rides at the historic and natural site overlooking the Missouri River in North St. Louis County. The Division of Youth Services (DYS) has a facility nearby, the Missouri Hills Youth Center, and this bill recognizes the special relationship that exists between the Missouri Hills Home and the adjacent park. DYS will continue to use the park for the children, and I am very supportive of this relationship.

I filed several measures this session establishing public education days. One of those is Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, which recognizes every Sept. 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer most often caused by asbestos, which affects the smooth lining of the chest, lungs, heart and abdomen. The layer of tissue surrounding these organs is made up of mesothelial cells, hence the name mesothelioma. For over a decade now, the national Mesothelioma Awareness Day has been the driving force behind the movement to bring more attention and funding for a cure to this deadly cancer.

I also filed Senate Bill 277, legislation designating the month of November as "Epilepsy Awareness Month." Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, affecting more than 2 million Americans of all ages. It’s characterized by recurring, unpredictable seizures and can lead to other health problems. Epilepsy Awareness Month seeks to promote research for a cure, raise awareness about epilepsy, improve how people with epilepsy are perceived and ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all of life’s experiences. While SB 277 did not ultimately pass, an identical House version did and I was happy to carry the bill through the process in the Senate.

I also handled House Bill 88 in the Senate. The measure designates July 3 of each year as “Organ Donor Recognition Day.” According to organdonor.gov, more than 123,000 people are currently waiting for an organ, 21 people will die each day waiting for an organ and a person is added to the donor waiting list every 10 minutes. While these are very powerful statistics, I believe the most important one you’ll find is this: one organ donor can save up to eight lives. Choosing to register as an organ donor is quite possibly one of the easiest, most meaningful decisions a person can make. Not only does organ donation save lives and give hope to those facing serious illnesses, it can also provide a sense of healing and purpose to the friends and families of loved ones who have passed.

Also this session, the Legislature successfully passed House Bill 137, a measure ending the practice commonly known as “pay to play” in Missouri. I co-sponsored similar legislation in the Senate. In 2009, language was passed requiring state fee offices to institute a competitive bidding process, and language was added directing that special consideration would be given to nonprofit groups that would invest the money back into the community. In response, the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) created a system that awards points to a bidder if they agree to give a portion of their profits back to the state — essentially establishing a pay-to-play system within the bidding process.

Under HB 137, DOR must follow bidding procedures as defined in state law, and no points will be awarded for a return-to-the state bid offer. The measure also clarifies who is given special consideration in a fee office bid. It includes 501(c)(4) organizations, with the exception of dark money political action entities. Additionally, special consideration will be given to organizations and entities that reinvest a minimum of 75 percent of their net proceeds to charitable organizations in Missouri.

House Bill 137 accomplishes several goals: it clarifies the law’s original intent of removing politics from the bidding process; it reinforces the idea that we primarily want to see local, nonprofits running these offices and investing their profits back into the communities they serve; and it further prevents dark money political organizations from participating in the bidding process.

Putting an end to the practice of pay-to-play has been a priority of mine all session, and I’m proud we were able to get this measure to the governor’s desk. House Bill 137 contains an emergency clause, so the provisions of the bill will immediately go into effect upon receiving the governor’s signature.

In April, the General Assembly completed its work on the state's $26.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2016, fulfilling its only constitutionally required duty. The budget was crafted with a surplus to help keep spending under control and continue to provide adequate funding for the state’s vital programs. The Senate Appropriations Committee, of which I’m a member, focused on creating a budget that increases funding for education and ensures public money is spent wisely. I firmly believe government should be a constructive partner by investing in solving problems.

Funding for K–12 education will increase by $84 million, and higher education will see a $12 million increase — both areas receiving more than the governor recommended. The budget will also provide an additional $2 million for the A+ Schools Program and $5.4 million for equity funding for community colleges.

Specifically relating to state funding for North St. Louis County Schools:

• The Hazelwood School District will see a $1,844,524 increase, for a total of $57,718,600;
• The Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District will receive an additional $1,127,107, for a total of $41,305,496;
• The School District of Jennings will see an increase of $416,659, for a total of $15,270,007; and
• The Riverview Gardens School District will receive an additional $967,391, for a total of $35,453,150.

St. Louis Community College will receive $5,245,143 for repairs and renovations, including updating science labs and new finishes for ceilings, floors and walls.

The St. Louis Veterans Home has been allocated $17,370,768: a $265,009 (1.55 percent) increase over FY 2015 funding. The funds will go toward the design and construction of a new storage building; installation of electronic medical records; and repairs, replacements and improvements at state veterans’ homes and state veterans’ cemeteries.

The Bellefontaine Habilitation Center will receive $16,504,176, part of which will be used for HVAC work. The funding will be used to replace pneumatic HVAC controls with direct digital controls and replace variable air volume units. The facility is currently unable to maintain a stable indoor climate due to obsolete pneumatic controls.

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) is the state agency charged with the care and treatment of youth committed to its custody. Services include assessment, care and treatment, and education of all youth committed to its care. DYS operates treatment programs ranging from non-residential day treatment centers through secure residential institutions, including the Missouri Hills Youth Center in North St. Louis County. For FY 2016, the Missouri Hills Youth Center will receive $1,595,780 to be used for various renovations, HVAC system replacement and roof replacement.

The Legislature also committed $3 million in grants for the Waterways Program to provide planning assistance to port authorities, as well as $700,000 for the Amtrak operating expansion. $28 million more in funding will go toward the Victims of Crime Act and an additional $20 million will go to SEMA disaster funding.

The final status of my sponsored bills for the 2015 legislative session is as follows:

During the school year, public assistance provides students from low-income families with free or reduced-priced meals at school. For many of the thousands of children who depend on this support, these are the only hot, nutritious meals they’ll get all day.

Education experts say the public’s assistance program allows kids to become better learners and is an important part of providing a quality education. While I certainly agree, I also believe the main reason we provide these meals as a state and nation should be much simpler: in a modern 21st century nation such as the United States, with incredible amounts of wealth and excess, no child should ever go hungry.

Unfortunately, many children are faced with hunger when school releases for the summer. In an effort to ensure these students continue to have access to food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture funds summer nutrition programs to supplement the free meals students receive during the school year. Missouri’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is available to children ages 0 through 18 whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; and to income-eligible adults over 18 years of age who have been determined by a state educational agency to have a disability and who participate in a school-based program for the disabled during the year.

Summertime means school is out, swimming, barbecues, sunshine, the outdoors and so much more. Whether you’re planning a beach vacation or a camping trip, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers summer months can bring. Here are just a few tips to make sure you and your family have a fun and safe summer:

• Closely watch those who are at high risk of heat-related illness, including young children, older adults and individuals with physical or mental illnesses;
• Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty (check with your doctor if you are normally supposed to limit your fluids);

• The American Red Cross website provides detailed information to prepare your home and family in the event of a disaster or emergency, as well as great tips on a wide range of topics, such as water safety and pet safety.

  Never leave anyone or any pet in a parked vehicle as the temperature inside your vehicle can increase by almost 20 degrees in just 10 minutes;
• Summer weather can be unpredictable, with the chance of wildfires, tornadoes and more. It’s important to be aware of pending weather conditions. Visit the National Weather Service to subscribe to weather and emergency alerts;
• Using the correct insect repellent, along with other preventive actions, can discourage ticks, mosquitoes and other insects from biting you;
• When starting a campfire or grill in a woodland area, never build a campfire under overhanging branches or trees, clear a 10-foot area of grass and pine needles, and keep plenty of water available and have a shovel ready;
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone; and
• Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

For a more complete list, click here or visit the Missouri Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.mo.gov.