February 19, 2024 Capitol Report
Last week was another short week—this time because of the Super Bowl Parade. What was a joyful celebration turned into tragedy. Much has been said in media outlets about the policy decisions that led to the shooting, but I would like to remember Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who tragically passed away, and the nearly two dozen other victims of the shooting. Kansas City—and all of Missouri—are in mourning now, and recovery takes time
The House and Senate each had only two days of floor time last week. The House passed one more bill to the Senate. The Senate spent its time filibustering. This week will be a more "typical" week. Monday, February 19, is a State Holiday, but the legislature will be in session.
Session Schedule
Committee Hearing Schedule
Find your Legislator
Last week I filed HB 2698, which creates a process to report government employees willfully providing false information as part of their government job.
Government is not government if it wantonly lies to people. I have seen too many instances of the Missouri government not being forthcoming with information, and at times, actively working to hide their poor acts. Under this bill, reports and investigations would be public information, and an employee could be fired for lying.
A system that lies to its constituents is not a first-world government.
Elections
Filing for office in Missouri begins on Tuesday, February 27, and runs through March 26. Candidates cannot be delinquent on taxes and must pay a filing fee to their political party.
More information on filing to run for office.
The people of Missouri have already decided four times that I am a Democrat. The Missouri Democratic Party has accepted my filing fee four times in the past. There is concern that current leadership of the Missouri Democratic Party may be considering refusing my filing fee for undisclosed reasons. However, I am in touch with the party at multiple levels and confident that they will make the right decision.
Voters should decide elections, not political parties.
Bills
I have filed the following bills this year:
HB 1839 - Renames Confederate Memorial State Historic Site
HB 1840 - Creates an Office of Inspector General within the Department of Social Services
HB 1841 - Allows the Department of Labor and the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute wage theft
HB 1842 - Replaces old statutory references to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act
HB 1843 - Adds tobacco products and vapor products to the "drug-free schools act"
HB 1844 - establishes protections for immigrants who are in rental housing
HB 1845 - Requires a Certificate of Value be filed when real property is transferred
HB 1846 - Abolishes the Death Penalty
HB 1994 - Establishes the Missouri Bureau of Investigation under the Office of Attorney General
HB 2698 - Establishes a system for reporting when a government official provides misleading information.
The deadline for filing bills this year is March 1. As of February 19, there have been 1,370 bills filed in the House; 6 have been sent to the Senate.
Administrative Rules
One often-overlooked part of state government is Administrative Rules, which lay out the nuts and bolts of how the government follows the rules.
The February 15, 2024 Missouri Register proposes rule changes for the following Departments:
Department of Agriculture
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Division of Learning Services (276)
Missouri Department of Transportation
Highway Safety and Traffic Division (276)
Department of Revenue
Department of Commerce and Insurance
Life, Annuities and Health (285)
Missouri Veterinary Medical Board (296)
Administrative rules govern much of the day-to-day workings of the state government. The legislature writes the laws - the basic framework. The administrative departments write the rules about how these laws are implemented.
Just like with the legislature, there is the opportunity for testimony on these rules. Usually, there is not a public hearing, but anyone can submit written testimony.
The Secretary of State’s Website has the Administrative Rules, as well as a listing of Emergency Rules and the Missouri Register, which contains proposed changes.
You can also sign up to be informed of administrative changes for specific issues.
Have a great week!
Sarah