As the 98th General Assembly reaches its halfway point, and lawmakers have an opportunity to return to their districts to recharge for a week, I’d like to update you on some of the measures that have been at the forefront of our legislative efforts this year. While the Legislature still has a long way to go, I believe we have made great strides to move our state forward and make Missouri a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Some of the legislative highlights passed in the Senate this week include:

• Senate Bill 12, also known as the Dairy Revitalization Act of 2015, modifies several provisions regarding agriculture, such as exempting weight limitations on highways for transporting milk, grain and livestock; offering an insurance program for dairy farmers: and creating the Missouri Dairy Scholars Program, which will provide college scholarships for agriculture-related degree programs.

Agriculture is vital to the state’s economy, and we need to assist our current farmers and encourage future agricultural enthusiasts as much as possible.

• Senate Bill 239, which I sponsored and wrote about in last week’s column, will limit frivolous lawsuits against healthcare professionals, which has been driving doctors away from Missouri due to the rising costs of malpractice insurance. Many small-town clinics no longer offer OB/GYN services because of the cost of insurance premiums.

We need to ensure that Missouri is poised to attract the best healthcare practitioners to ensure the highest quality medical services for our citizens.

• Senate Bill 5, also known as Macks Creek Law, addresses municipalities which excessively implement speed traps or other means to target motorists traveling through the area in order to generate revenue funds from court fines and fees.

This bill prohibits the practice of “taxation by citation,” and seeks to restore the public trust between the people and our municipal court systems.

I always encourage my constituents to feel free to contact me throughout the year with comments, questions or suggestions by calling my office at (573) 751-5713. To find more information about the bills I sponsor, or visit www.senate.mo.gov/brown.

Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.