Nance: Protecting Farmers From Recurring Lawsuits, Accountability Portal Expands to Local Governments and Schools

"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." –George Washington

HB 209 received approval from the General Assembly this week. The bill protects farmers from recurring lawsuits.

The bill also specifies the exclusive damages that may be awarded to a claimant for a private nuisance originating from property used for farming, agriculture, crop, or animal production purposes. A permanent nuisance judgment cannot exceed the fair market value of the property.

HB 139 passed and it requires the Office of Administration to maintain public school and county government accountability information on the Missouri Accountability Portal.

The Office of Administration must also maintain travel accountability information detailing the Governor’s travel information on the portal which includes, but is not limited to, the departure date; departure time; arrival date; arrival time; accompanying passengers; duration of the trip; purpose of the trip; destination; and detailed travel expenses. Municipal government accountability information must also be maintained by the Office of Administration on the portal.

In Committee

On Wednesday we discussed HB 423 which would enter Missouri into a compact with other states which pledges to improve Healthcare Policy with the consent of Congress.

The House Transportation Committee voted do pass HB 167, which would require Missouri driver’s examinations to only be administered in English.

The House Elections Committee voted do pass HJR 14, which proposes a constitutional amendment changing the laws regarding elections by authorizing provisions relating to advance voting, voter identification, and absentee voting.

HB 409 has our teachers and retired teachers in an uproar, but I do not believe it will ever be voted on in committee. Discussion today was dominated by the many groups wanting to keep the current system.

Visitors

Excelsior Springs Career Center students visiting the Capitol were Dustin Lloyd, Eric Jones, and Devan Crow. Sue Hargreaves and Brooke Gray visited us on Tuesday.