February 17, 2010New Session... Bills of Interest

MPA Bills of Interest Filed in Jefferson City                                   January 2010

 
The 2010 session of the Missouri General Assembly convened on Wednesday, Jan. 6.  Missouri Press Association expects an active session, and publishers will be called upon to contact their senators and representatives on various issues.  Grassroots contacts by publishers are vital, or we will not prevail on issues important to the newspaper industry.

During the session, you can track House and Senate bills on the Missouri state government web site in Jefferson City:  www.mo.gov

House and Senate Joint Bill Tracking:  http://www.house.mo.gov/billcentral.aspx

House Bill List:  http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/billist.htm

Senate Bill List:  continued

May 21, 2009Passed and Failed.. 2009 Legislative Session

MPA Legislative Update -- 2009
From: Doug Crews

The Missouri General Assembly adjourned May 15.

Here are bills, of interest to Missouri Press Association, that were approved by the General Assembly.

(And, near the bottom of this list are bills that did not pass during this session of the General Assembly.)

Bills that passed are awaiting the signature of Gov. Jay Nixon.  

Deadline for the Governor to sign bills is July 14.


Passed: CCS SS SCS HCS HB 62 -- CRIME

This bill changes the laws regarding crime.  Among its main provisions, the bill:

  Requires a photograph to be taken of an incarcerated individual prior to release and made available to the victim upon his or her request (Section 217.439);

  Creates the crime of promoting online sexual solicitation if the person or entity knowingly allows a web-based classified service owned or operated by a person or entity to be used by individuals to post advertisements promoting prostitution, enticing a child to engage in sexual conduct, or promoting sexual
trafficking of a child after receiving notice from the Attorney General that the advertisement is prohibited.  Anyone promoting online ... continued

May 15, 2009HB 376 defeated!

At 12:45 p.m. today, the Missouri House defeated Conference Committee Report on HB 376 by a vote of 46 in favor and 108 against.

During approximately 35 minutes of debate on the bill, several legislators spoke in defense of the publication of legal notices in newspapers.

This is a wonderful victory for the newspapers of Missouri, and it could not have been done without a strong grassroots effort from editors, publishers and others at newspapers around the state. Missouri Press Association extends deep appreciation to all of you who contacted your senators and representatives.

HB 376 contained an amendment by Rep. Joan Bray of St. Louis that would have allowed cities in St. Louis County to post their financial statements on the internet instead of publishing them in newspapers. Missouri Press viewed this as the first step in the elimination of all newspaper public notices.

Missouri Press would like to thank the bill's sponsor, Rep. Steve Hobbs, and Rep. Tim Jones, Rep. Joe Aull, Rep. Mike Frame, Rep. Rob Schaaf and others for their help. Thanks also go to our legislative advisers, Harry Gallagher and Heath Clarkston, and to the Realtors® of Missouri, who played a key role in the defeat of the bill.

Again, this bill was on track for ... continued

September 26, 2007Sunshine Law complaint form online

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has posted an online form for Missourians to file complaints about violations of the Sunshine Law. It can be found under the Open Government section of the web site ago.mo.gov.
The AG’s office also publishes a free 80-page booklet on the Sunshine Law. Many newspaper members of Missouri Press Association use the booklet in their offices and distribute it to local elected officials.
Copies of the booklet can be ordered on ago.mo.gov or by calling 800-392-8222. The booklet also can be downloaded from the AG’s website.

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