Clock Winds Down, Session Speeds Up

Late nights and long hours are no strangers to the Missouri
Legislature this time of year as we are spending more and more time tied to our
desk working diligently on many Legislative priorities we have yet to see
completed.  It has been great to
see some very good bills get attention in the House as the clock on legislative
session winds down these next two weeks.

The House passed a bill this week that will allow returning
Veterans to attend Missouri Colleges and Universities at the in-state tuition
rate.  When veterans come home to
return to civilian-life we want them to come to Missouri.  We also want that transition to be as
smooth and hard-ship free as possible for these men and women who have given so
much.

While this week did not produce any new startling
discoveries in regard to the ongoing Missouri Department of Revenue scandal,
the House did take legislative action to ensure the department will never again
release the personal information of concealed carry permit holders.

The bill we passed this week would take the department
entirely out of the process of issuing concealed carry endorsements. Right now,
Missourians can take their concealed carry permits to a local license office to
obtain a photo ID showing the concealed carry endorsement. If the legislation
we passed goes into law, our sheriffs would have sole responsibility for
printing ID cards for concealed weapon permit holders. Our sheriffs already
take care of receiving applications, conducting background checks and issuing
paper permits for concealed weapon holders. The change we propose would simply
authorize them also to print a concealed weapon ID card, which would prevent
the Department of Revenue from obtaining, or sharing, the private information
of Missourians with a concealed weapon.

The bill we approved also would eliminate the renewal
process for concealed weapons permits, which currently require a renewal fee
every three years.

We are currently working on a bill that would allow for
State bonding. The money brought in from these bonds would be used for
education and infrastructure.  This
would have to go to a vote of the people in 2014 for approval.

I have received many calls support SB 16 which would allow
the people to vote whether or not they want a 1cent sales tax that would go towards
roads and bridges.  I am supportive
of allowing this to go to a vote of the people and will vote against any
amendments that would attempt to expand the bill outside its intent and
purpose.

HB 275, which we recently passed, requires employers who are
performing Federal jobs to use the e-verify system to ensure that their workers
receiving benefits from these jobs are American citizens.

House Bill 19 will allow for $130 million of the 300-400
million surplus dollars we have to go towards repairs, building construction,
state parks, and the Fulton Hospital. 
The rest will be set aside as a “Rainy Day” Fund.

As always, I appreciate the input and support you have
provided me this Legislative Session. 
Please feel free to continue to contact me by phone at 573-751-4028 or
by email at jim.hansen@house.mo.gov