Love note from Jeff City

Greetings, My Fellow Missourians

I hope everyone is enjoying the many Fall festivals and activities. Last weekend, an issue came to light at the Walnut Festival Parade in Stockton. Horse riders who travelled to participate in the parade were informed they must show proof of liability insurance in order to participate. This has spurred a lot of discussion and debate.

I would like to share Missouri Statute 537.550: Limitation on liability for injury or death at fairs or festivals — signs to be posted, content. 1. No county, city or village with ten thousand or fewer inhabitants that organizes, sponsors, or conducts any fair, festival, or similar gathering shall be liable, except as provided in sections 537.600 to 537.650, for an injury or death of any person attending the event, and no person attending the event shall make any claim against, or recover from, any such county, city or village for injury, loss, damage, or death of the person attending the event. 2. Each county, city or village governed by this section shall post and maintain signs which contain the warning notice specified in this section. The signs shall be placed in a clearly visible location at major entrances to the event and throughout the event location as determined by the governing authority of the county, city or village. The signs described in this section shall be in black letters on a white background with each letter to be a minimum of one inch in height and contain substantially the following warning notice: Under Missouri law, (enter county, city or village name) is not liable for an injury to or the death of any person resulting from the inherent risks of participating in or observing any activities at this event pursuant to the Revised Statutes of Missouri. (L. 2004 H.B. 795, et al).

The above law states only a county, city or village; and this law applies only to a county, city or village with 10,000 or fewer citizens. What it does not refer to is an event sponsored by a club, chamber of commerce, school, church, etc., which is normally a not-for-profit entity with budgeted funds and limited resources to provide insurance coverage. I have visited with many people this week including horse riders, insurance experts, and staff with the Missouri House Research Department. There are many different situations, and the best advice I have to offer is be prepared and plan ahead. Contact the event organizer and register early to participate in the parade. Find out if a signed waiver or proof of liability insurance is required. Each event may have its own set of requirements. Public safety comes first, and we certainly want everyone to enjoy participating in fun activities throughout the district and across the state.

Real ID Extension through Aug. 1, 2019:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted Missouri another extension through Aug. 1, 2019, to satisfy requirements of the REAL ID Act and its regulations. During this extension, federal agencies will accept Missouri-issued driver licenses and identification cards for official purposes, including domestic air travel.

Full implementation by the Missouri Department of Revenue is expected by March of next year. At that time, Missouri citizens can begin applying for REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or ID cards. However, with the new additional extension through Aug. 1, 2019, everyone can rest assured that MO-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards will continue to be accepted for official purposes.

New Missouri budget explorer website:

The Missouri Office of Administration (OA) announced on Tuesday the launch of a new website that provides greater transparency to the State of Missouri budget. The website, budgetexplorer.mo.gov, gives users a comprehensive review of the state budget, along with links to more detailed information. OA created the Missouri Budget Explorer website to provide the public with an easy-to- use resource regarding the state’s budget. The website enables citizens to explore the details of the budget, including the sources of the state’s revenues and how these monies are allocated among the 16 executive departments, the elected officials, the legislature, and the judiciary. In addition to a better understanding of the overall state budgeting process, citizens will also be able to gain a clearer understanding of the role of each department and the services they provide.

“Imagine ag business” seminars:

The MO Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) will be holding several “Imagine Ag Business” sessions Oct. 9th-11th in Sikeston, St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City and Springfield. MDA and CAFNR want to listen to and get insight from farmers on specific opportunities and barriers that they may experience daily. MDA Director Chris Chinn and CAFNR Dean Christopher Daubert will begin each session, and Jared Spader, AgCall Inc., will moderate discussion. At the completion of the Imagine Ag Business sessions, MDA and CAFNR will form strategic task forces based upon the feedback received.

Registration is free, but required for attendance. Each session will be limited to 50 attendees to encourage in-depth, meaningful conversation. Those interested may register online at https://stateofmissouri.wufoo.com/forms/imagine-ag-business/.

Imagine Ag Business Sessions:

Oct. 9, 2018 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. at the Miner Convention Center in Sikeston

Oct. 9, 2018 from 2:30 – 5 p.m. at the Helix Center in St. Louis

Oct. 10, 2018 from 9 -11:30 a.m. at the Bradford Research Center in Columbia

Oct. 10, 2018 from 2:30 – 5 p.m. at the American Royal in Kansas City

Oct. 11, 2018 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. at the Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield

Upcoming events in district 125:

October 14 – Wheatland Fire Department Pig Roast from 11 am – 4 pm at the McCarty Senior Center, 3285 US 54, Wheatland. There will be a Silent Auction at 3 pm. Proceeds benefit the Fire Dept.

October 25 – MO Job Center Connection Site from 9 am – 12 noon at the St. Clair County Library, 115 Chestnut, Osceola. Learn about and access MO Job Center career services.