Submitted by the Office of Rodger Reedy
The regular legislative session for 2023 has come to an end. In total, 59 bills were truly agreed and finally passed and sent to the Governor’s office to be signed into law. Of those bills, 19 were bills pertaining to the state operating budget, 33 of the bills originated in the Senate, and 7 of the bills originated in the House. Compared to the number of bills filed in total, 59 is a relatively small amount, but we hope to be much more productive moving forward and see more cooperation between the House and Senate Chambers.
Notably, one of the appropriations bills passed by the House and Senate allots funds for the improvement and maintenance of Interstate 70. I-70 crosses the entire State of Missouri and with these funds, we hope to expand I-70 to three lanes going both directions, allowing for six total lanes. Ideally, this will help manage congestion on the interstate and improve the quality of the drive for residents and travelers to our state. There was some concern earlier
in the legislative session about public libraries being defunded by the legislature, I am pleased to say that the Senate placed those funds back into the budget.
On a personal note, language from three of my own bills was amended on to Senate bills and sent to the Governor this session. I have listed the three below.
SB. 103 contains an amendment in which language from one of my bills this session was added. My language modifies provisions relating to pooled estate accounts by public administrators and venue in guardianship and conservatorship cases.
SB. 186 contains language from another bill I filed this session that modifies the offense of unlawful use of a weapon by clarifying circumstances of firing from a vehicle legally and by adding Blair's Law, which adds the discharging of a firearm within or into the limits of a municipality to the offense.
SB. 189 contains an amendment of my own that authorizes the cities of Lincoln and Clinton Missouri to put before voters a public safety sales tax.
The remaining bills that were truly agreed and finally passed this session can be found on both the House and Senate websites.
In an earlier report this session, I mentioned that my office was working on putting together an updated district directory, we are still waiting for them to be printed and mailed, but we hope to see them completed and ready soon. My office is also preparing to send a full, comprehensive end of session report for all of our constituents. We hope to see those sent out sometime this summer.
With session coming to a close, the House will soon be operating on our interim schedule. My legislative assistant Blake will be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can always contact my office at 573-751-3971 or by emailing Rodger.Reedy@house.mo.gov. If you would like a courtesy resolution from the House of Representatives please contact my office.
I want to say that I appreciate all of my constituents reaching out to my office this session. Your words of encouragement and support mean a great deal to us and it is always a pleasure to serve the citizens of the 57th District.
