Schaefer: Bills Filed Concerning Victim Protections, Family Trust Reform, Conservation Easements

At left: Senator Schaefer with his wife, Stacia, and their three children, Wolf, Max, and Lena.

The First Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly kicked off Jan. 5 and is now in full swing. Committees were selected, meetings have started, and legislators from all over the state are ready to make changes in Missouri’s government.

Committee appointments were announced last Wednesday (1-12). I will serve as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, chairman of the Joint Committee on Capitol Improvements and Leases Oversight, and as a member on both the Education Committee and the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy, and Environment Committee.

On Wednesday night (1-19), Governor Jay Nixon gave his State of the State address, letting the Appropriations Committee know his budget plans for fiscal year 2012. As you all know, Missouri is in the middle of a budgeting pinch, but I have confidence that my committee will find a way to allocate funds in the best interest of the citizens of Missouri.

I am currently sponsoring three bills, Senate Bill 69, Senate Bill 70, and Senate Bill 119. I submitted Senate Bill 69 in order to support victims of child pornography by allowing them to file civil suits against their abusers. In addition, the bill sets protocols to ensure victims of child pornography are properly cared for.

Senate Bill 70 urges Congress to revise some of the current provisions establishing the Missouri Family Trust and its Board of Trustees. Some of the changes I am proposing involve allowing the board to establish and collect fees for administering trust accounts and breaking up various types of accounts under the Missouri Family Trust into trust accounts.

Finally, Senate Bill 119 would create the Private Landowner Protection Act. This act would allow for the creation of conservation easements, which mandate the protection of natural, scenic, or open-space properties.

My family and I also had the pleasure of taking part in the annual inauguration festivities. Seventeen senators were sworn in, twelve of those being freshman senators. I hope those who stopped by my office on the night of inauguration enjoyed their time at the Capitol.

Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns involving state government, please contact my office.