JEFFERSON CITY — This week, Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, selected Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, to serve as chair of the Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence. Sen. Dixon recently completed his second year as chairman of the committee, having taken on the position in 2013. In his role as Judiciary chair, Sen. Dixon also serves as chair of the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on the Justice System.
“I am honored to continue serving as Judiciary chair,” stated Sen. Dixon. “I remain focused on the same core priorities—improving the administration of justice, providing greater access to justice, and promoting public safety—all of which require a justice system equipped and prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Therefore, I’ve been an advocate for close examination of its structure, administration and resources, as well as the revision of outdated, obsolete or unnecessary statutes.”
Senator Dempsey said the chairmen of each committee will act as leaders to find solutions to move Missouri forward in a prudent, positive manner.
“I’m happy to put my support behind Sen. Dixon to continue his role as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Dixon was instrumental in passing last year’s criminal code revision, and I expect him to remain dedicated to protecting Missourians by promoting public safety once again this session. The work accomplished in these legislative committees is no small undertaking and carries many responsibilities. With new challenges this year, I have no doubt we will have a successful legislative session,” said Sen. Dempsey.
This year, the Judiciary Committee and the Joint Committee on the Justice System will move forward with a wide-ranging review of numerous aspects of the state’s justice system, including court costs and municipal court operations. Under Sen. Dixon’s leadership, the Senate Judiciary Committee achieved a number of accomplishments, including:
- The Revised Criminal Code, providing the first comprehensive update of the state’s criminal laws since the 1970s;
- A Joint Committee on the Justice System, to periodically review the state justice system and the new Revised Criminal Code;
- Changes to streamline and improve the garnishment process in Missouri, for the benefit of all parties involved;
- The renewal of a state program providing grant funding to local law enforcement task forces investigating Internet crimes involving children;
- A new process for reorganizing the state’s judicial circuits (last done in 1959) every 20 years, to reflect population shifts and caseload increases;
- Updates to strengthen Missouri laws dealing with sex crimes and the prosecution of child predators and sexually violent predators;
- Improvements in the collection of restitution for crime victims; and
- A constitutional amendment to permit the use of propensity evidence to prosecute sexual offenses involving children.
“I look forward to working with all committee members, new and returning, to maintain the reputation of the Judiciary Committee for thoughtful consideration of bills and as a workhorse of the Senate,” said Sen. Dixon.
Senator Dixon has been named to several key committees, where he is well-positioned to pursue all three of his central priorities: advancing justice, growing jobs and promoting good government. Fresh off his work on the Senate Interim Committee on Tax Administration Practices, Sen. Dixon now joins the important Ways and Means Committee, which deals with state tax policy. He retains his seats as a member of the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee and the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. In addition, Sen. Dempsey selected Sen. Dixon to serve on the Senate Committee on Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics.
In addition to his Senate committee positions, Sen. Dixon also serves on the following statutory committees or boards:
|
