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.

House Approves Plan to Enhance Cybersecurity (HB 1204)

The members of the Missouri House have advanced legislation meant to enhance the state’s ability to thwart potential cyberattacks. The bill would create the Missouri Cybersecurity Commission to identify risk and vulnerability from cyberattacks of critical infrastructure in the state.

The bill’s sponsor said the commission “would solicit data and find vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure in political subdivisions around the state and make sure we have a good security process to protect our state from cybersecurity threats.”

The commission would consist of eight members appointed by the Governor, and the state chief information officer. The membership of the commission would reflect both private sector and public sector expertise and experience in cybersecurity. The commission would also have ex-officio members from the State Highway Patrol, National Guard, and the State Emergency Management Agency.

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.

“This milestone is great news for the people of Missouri, and we will continue working hard to keep this momentum. The vaccine is safe and effective, and we encourage all eligible Missourians who have not yet received it to consider getting vaccinated,” said Parson, who noted that nearly 2.1 million Missourians have initiated vaccination and almost 1.4 million Missourians have been fully vaccinated.

Missourians are encouraged to visit MOStopsCOVID.com for facts about the vaccine and to register for an appointment by visiting covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator/. Missourians can also call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 877-435-8411 for more information and assistance.

Bills Sent to the Senate

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.  The bill also preempts the field of firearm business regulation and prohibits the state or its political subdivisions from enacting any law, rule, or regulation that would prohibit, restrict, or reduce the operations of such businesses. The bill allows a concealed carry permit holder to lawfully carry firearms on public transportation, as defined in the bill. The bill also establishes “Blair’s Law” which specifies that a person commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm if, with criminal negligence, he or she discharges a firearm within or into the limits of any municipality.

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.

Working on your behalf,
Representative Chad Perkins
Proudly Serving the 40^th  House District
Lincoln, Monroe, Pike, & Ralls Counties
Missouri House of Representatives
573-751-4028