Citizens of the 125th District,

Another busy week in the House of Representatives! As we near the end of session, lots of bills are trying to make it across the finish line to get to the Senate side and get their approval. We did have a little break this week as the freshman class of representatives were invited to the Governor’s Mansion for drinks and hors d’oeuvres and talk with the Governor and first lady! The mansion is beautiful and our Governor is a great leader and common man from our area.

House Members Support Bill to Protect Against Federal Overreach (HB 1212)

Lawmakers gave approval this week to legislation meant to protect Missourians against potential overreach by the federal government. The bill would establish the Joint Committee on Federal Government Oversight.

The committee, which would be made up of five state representatives and five state senators, would review any executive orders issued by the President of the United States. It would then make recommendations to the Attorney General and the Governor whether further examination is needed to determine the constitutionality of the executive orders, or whether the state should seek an exemption from the application of the orders.

Missouri Hits Vaccination Milestone

Gov. Mike Parson recently announced an important milestone for Missouri as one-third of all Missourians have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

HB 1030 establishes the “Personal Privacy Protection Act”, prohibiting public agencies from disclosing or requiring the disclosure of personal information, as defined in the bill. Supporters say first amendment rights must be protected and this bill will protect against disclosure of sensitive information not consented to. The bill is non-partisan and ensures the privacy of all Missourians.

HB 317 requires that any member of Missouri Task Force One who is called to active duty will be entitled to reemployment rights when they are relieved from such duty. Supporters say when Task Force One is deployed out of state, members are treated differently than when they are deployed in the state. This bill would require employers to take members of the Task Force back once they return. Currently, employers do not have to take them back once they return from deployment out of state.

HB 944 changes the provisions related to firearms. Currently, a person commits the crime of unlawful use of a weapon if he or she discharges or shoots a firearm from a motor vehicle. The bill allows the discharge of a firearm from a stationary motor vehicle if the firearm is discharged on private property in an unincorporated area of the state to protect livestock from predatory wildlife or dogs that are killing, wounding, or chasing livestock. Supporters say farmers and ranchers need to have the ability to protect their livestock from predatory animals without the fear of being charged with a felony offense.

HBs 848, 617 & 822 establishes the “Daylight Saving as New Standard Time Pact” consisting of this state and any other state desiring to abstain from observation of Daylight Saving Time. The bill exempts all areas of the state from the federal Daylight Saving Time provisions. In the year in which a majority of states bordering Missouri have passed legislation entering those states into the Pact, each state will switch clocks to Daylight Saving for the last time and Daylight Saving Time will be eliminated. Supporters say the bill would allow for Missourians to benefit from extra daylight in the evening. It will also promote more outdoor recreational activities.

State Representative Jim Kalberloh