On the Hill

Assisting Public Safety Employees and their Families

Missouri House Bill 1514

Senate Bill 71 Summary

This act establishes the “Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act” to provide college tuition awards for certain public safety personnel and their legal dependents. The act defines “public safety personnel” as including any police officer, firefighter, paramedic, telecommunicator first responder, emergency medical technician, or advanced emergency medical technician who is trained and authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance or treatment.

Full Summary link is under Senate Bill 71

DAVE'S COMMENTS

This is very impactful for our public safety members that give so much. The State of Missouri will provide the members and any dependents with a free four-year college education under certain conditions. All details are in the bill. Thank you all for your service.

Senate Bill 71 Summary

The act provides that the offense of burglary in the second degree occurs when a person enters a restricted area of a commercial business for the purpose of committing a crime, and the restricted area is commonly reserved for personnel where money or other property is kept or clearly marked with a sign or signs indicating that public entry is forbidden. Such offense is a class B misdemeanor unless committed as a second or subsequent violation, in which case it is a class A misdemeanor.

Full Summary link is under Senate Bill 71

DAVE'S COMMENTS

Employees and the public should feel safe when shopping. There should not be anyone behind a check stand or counter with an intent to harm employees or attempting to commit a burglary.

Enhancing Business and Public Safety

Missouri House Bill 1218

Sponsored by Dave Hinman

Passed on Senate Bill 71

Providing Confidence when Purchasing Gift Cards

Missouri House Bill 1990

Sponsored by Dave Hinman

Passed on Senate Bill 1421

Senate Bill 1421 Summary

This act creates the offense of gift card fraud. A person commits this offense if he or she alters or tampers with a gift card or its packaging, or devises a scheme to obtain a gift card or gift card redemption information from a gift card holder, issuer, or seller by means of deceit.

Full Summary link is under Senate Bill 1421

DAVE'S COMMENTS

Gift cards are the most purchased gift for the holidays, and now Missouri has the protection needed to stop people from stealing the money that citizens put on a gift card. We are the 13th state in the nation to pass a law to prevent gift card fraud.

HB 2641 Summary

This bill establishes the “Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act.” All hemp-derived cannabinoid products must be construed to conform to, and be included in, the definition of “marijuana” under the Missouri Constitution. The provisions of this bill related to certain hemp-derived cannabinoid products, specified in the bill, will become effective on November 12, 2026.

Full Summary link is under House Bill 2641

DAVE'S COMMENTS

This important bill aligns with the federal government’s new definition of “Intoxicating Hemp Products.” The federal government states that beginning November 12, 2026, nearly all Intoxicating Hemp Products will be treated as marijuana. In the State of Missouri, the public would only be able to purchase products in a legal dispensary.

Protecting Missouri Citizens by Removing Intoxicating Hemp Products

Missouri House Bill 2641

Sponsored by Dave Hinman

Passed on House Bill 2641

Amendment to Candidacy Declaration Deadline

Missouri House Bill 1604

Sponsored by Dave Hinman

Passed on HB 1871

HB 1604 Summary

Currently, the filing time for declarations of candidacy for offices in political subdivisions or special districts not otherwise specified in law or charter is from the 17th Tuesday prior to the election through the 14th Tuesday prior to the election. This bill moves the filing time by one week, from the 16th Tuesday prior to the election to the 13th Tuesday prior to the election. The bill also provides that if the 13th Tuesday prior to the election is a state or federal holiday, the closing filing date shall be the next day that is not a state or federal holiday. Read Full Summary

DAVE'S COMMENTS

Local elections hold significant importance. The Missouri Clerks Association approached me to assist in adjusting the filing dates for local April elections. Currently, the closing dates coincide with the Christmas holiday and New Year's Eve, and I propose moving them back by one week. This bill is essential to alter the filing registration dates statewide in Missouri. I aim to establish deadlines for filing a declaration of candidacy.

HB 1980 Summary

This bill allows the Board of Trustees of the Firemen's Retirement System of St. Louis to also serve as trustees for other pension plans for St. Louis City firefighters. It grants the Board authority to establish rules, manage funds, and invest in various properties while ensuring that the funds and benefits of different pension plans are kept separate. The bill also specifies that expenses related to the administration and investment of the other pension plans must not be paid from the Firemen's Retirement System's funds. Read Full Bill Summary

DAVE'S COMMENTS

This bill allows the Board of Trustees to manage both retirement systems for the St. Louis Firefighters

Trustee Authority Expansion for St. Louis Firemen's Retirement System

Missouri House Bill 1980

Sponsored by Dave Hinman

Passed on SB 71

Veteran Suicide Prevention

Missouri House Bill 1495

Supported by Dave Hinman

HB 1495 Summary

This bill requires the Missouri Veterans Commission to review the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 and related regulations. In collaboration with the Department of Mental Health, the Commission must recommend and implement measures to prevent veteran suicide. The Commission is required to submit an annual report on these efforts to the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly by July 1, 2025, and each subsequent July 1st. Read Full Summary

DAVE'S COMMENTS

Veterans have given so much to our country and state. It is important that we do everything in our power to assist our members of the armed forces with mental health issues. They were there for us, and now the legislature needs to be there for them