This week, Representative Tara Peters and I hosted business leaders, law enforcement, education officials & community members from Phelps County. There were able to visit with Senator Justin Brown, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dean Plocher, State Treasurer Vivek Malek, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe and Governor Mike Parson. I would like to thank everyone for coming up to their Missouri Capitol.

Lawmakers Receive Annual Update on the State’s Court System

The General Assembly convened for a joint session in the House Chamber as lawmakers gathered to receive the 2024 State of the Judiciary address. Members of the House and Senate listened to Missouri Chief Justice Mary R. Russell outline the successes of the court system and the areas where the court and the legislature have worked well together to improve the justice system.

The Justice proudly noted that, for this first time in the history of our state, the Missouri Supreme Court currently has a majority of women on its bench, and that Missouri’s court is now one of 15 in the nation with a female majority.

“This is something I simply never imagined happening,” she said. “I truly hope this historic achievement inspires Missouri’s children – no matter their background – to believe that they, too, can become a state Supreme Court judge if they want… We are all grateful for Governor Parson’s appointments under the Missouri Plan and for his recognition that, sometimes, the best man for the job is actually a woman!”

The Chief Justice’s speech focused on several priorities and successes, as she spoke about the great work done by our local courthouses, clerks, bailiffs, court reporters, jury supervisors, juvenile office staff and others, plus more than 400 judges and commissioners. She thanked the legislature for its work on the judicial privacy act that protects those in the judiciary from violence and threats as they do their jobs, for the ongoing efforts of improving court automation, and for the support and financial assistance provided for the expungement work the constitution now requires. To date, our courts have made significant strides, as they have now reviewed more than 245,000 cases, of which they have expunged nearly 109,000.

Justice Russell discussed the success of treatment courts and urged the legislature to consider adding mental health courts to the approved treatment court list. Addressing the growing impact of mental health issues on the courts and jails, she called for collaborative efforts across branches of government and sectors to find comprehensive solutions.

Emphasizing the need for a statewide pretrial services program, Justice Russell highlighted its community-driven nature, involving judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. She also sought legislative support for increased mental health and security services in juvenile detention facilities, addressing challenges posed by housing older and high-risk youth.

In conclusion, Chief Justice Russell expressed gratitude to legislators and executive branch officials for their collaboration. She encouraged everyone to acknowledge the frontline heroes working for the citizens of Missouri and emphasized the importance of focusing on gratitude amidst the challenges of the legislative session.

House Passes Tax Credit Package for Childcare

The Missouri House passed a tax credit package aimed at addressing the state’s childcare crisis. The legislation passed with a vote of 113-39 to provide tax credits to childcare providers, donors to daycare centers, and businesses who help to cover the childcare costs of their employees as a solution to the ongoing workforce crisis while also serving as an economic development tool for the state.

Preventing Foreign Ownership of Land in Missouri

A bill seeking to prohibit any further foreign ownership of Missouri land is once again working its way through the Missouri legislature. This issue has gained prominence not only in Missouri but also at the national level and in other states. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, foreign individuals already hold an interest in over 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land, constituting approximately 3.4 percent of the country’s agricultural land as of December 31, 2022, with a notable increase in foreign ownership observed over the past decade.

In the 2023 legislative session, Missouri lawmakers attempted to pass restrictions on foreign farmland ownership, but the efforts faced challenges as debates arose regarding the scope of the measures. Until 2013, foreign countries were prohibited from purchasing Missouri farmland, but this changed to implement a one percent cap on the percentage of Missouri farmland that can be owned by foreign entities, a restriction that remains in place.

HB 1957 proposes further limiting foreign ownership to 0.5%. It necessitates reporting to the Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General 30 days before finalizing any sale or transfer of agricultural land by an alien or foreign business. Approval from the Attorney General is mandatory, and violations could result in court action and divestiture. The bill also mandates reporting changes in land usage, with exemptions for specific research or experimental land. Moreover, it prevents foreign businesses from identified foreign adversaries by the federal government from purchasing any land in the state, requiring adherence to the USA Patriot Act of 2001. The bill broadens enforcement responsibilities to include the Attorney General alongside the Department for requirements related to agricultural land owned by foreign entities.

Addressing the House Committee on Local Government, the bill sponsor emphasized the matter as a security concern, stating that the legislation aims to protect Missouri from potential adversarial or foreign threats while safeguarding one of the state’s crucial assets.

Increasing Teachers’ Salaries

Addressing the enduring challenge of attracting and retaining educators, the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education has introduced two bills that specifically concentrate on enhancing teacher salaries. Both proposals advocate for the establishment of a “Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund” aimed at assisting school districts in fulfilling the new minimum salary requirements, with a recommended grant matching ratio of 70/30.

In a Missouri school district, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports that, on average, 43.3% of teachers depart after three years. The Missouri National Education Association reports that the state is ranked 50th in terms of average starting teacher pay and 47th in average teacher pay.

HB 1447 suggests adjustments to teacher salaries, raising the minimum to $38,000 in the 2025-26 school year and incrementally reaching $48,000 by 2029-30. The bill includes provisions for annual salary adjustments based on inflation, allows school boards to differentiate salaries for hard-to-staff subjects and schools, and makes changes to teacher education requirements. Additionally, the “Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program” is renamed the “Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program” with enhanced scholarships and revised repayment terms for those teaching in challenging areas.

Meanwhile, HB 1431 proposes raising the minimum teacher salary from $25,000 to $38,000 in the 2025-26 school year, with higher minimums for teachers holding a Master’s Degree and 10 years of experience, ultimately reaching $46,000 by 2027-28. Districts have the opportunity to apply for grants from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education between the 2025-26 school year and June 30, 2028, to facilitate the increase in minimum teacher salaries.

The Right to Hunt and Fish

HJR 87 proposes a Constitutional amendment in Missouri to protect the rights of hunters and anglers, ensuring legal engagement in hunting, wildlife harvesting, and fishing upon voter approval. The amendment aims to enshrine the “right to hunt and fish” in the state constitution, safeguarding these activities from potential restrictions. It acknowledges the Conservation Department’s authority to regulate natural resources while striking a balance with individual rights. The amendment preserves the Conservation Department’s powers and allows the General Assembly to enact laws limiting these rights in specific cases, maintaining equilibrium between individual rights and conservation goals. Notably, the amendment does not impede legislation restricting these rights for individuals with certain legal conditions. The bill sponsor emphasized that the legislation seeks to uphold these rights in the state constitution, respecting the historical significance of hunting and fishing in Missouri without intending to challenge the Conservation Department’s decisions.

Contact Information

It is an honor and privilege to serve the 143rd District that consists of Maries, Phelps and Texas counties. If you need assistance with an issue regarding a state agency or if you have suggestions, concerns or questions about legislation please contact my office at 573-751-2264 or email at bennie.cook@house.mo.gov.