“I fully support my constituents’ right to keep their personal information private,” said Sen. Libla. “Law-abiding citizens have refused to let the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within DOR scan some of their personal documentation, which has resulted in the denial of the permits they are seeking — permits these individuals should be able to obtain because they have passed the application process and followed all the rules set forth by the state to obtain certain documents.”
In 2009, the General Assembly passed HB 361, which prohibits DOR from amending its driver’s license application procedures to retain and collect personal documents in order to comply with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, which shares citizens’ private information with third-party entities or the federal government.
Legislation filed this session in the Missouri Senate, SB 252, would prohibit DOR from retaining copies of source documents used to obtain various licenses, this includes using technology — much like what was used at the DMV in Stoddard County — to digitally save source documents so they can be easily forwarded electronically, such as through email or saved in third-party or federal databases.
“Unfortunately, this unlawful action has spread from a county in my legislative district to areas throughout our state,” said Sen. Libla. “If it weren’t for my informed constituency, this illegal action might have gone unnoticed for a longer amount of time.”
This alleged action taken by DOR has resulted in a negative trickle-down effect for many in Sen. Libla’s district, including those who own or work in these privately run businesses, many of which can no longer issue concealed carry permits until legal matters are concluded with the state department. In addition, Missourians are inconvenienced when licensing offices in their area cannot issue these particular documents due to legal injunctions.
Sen. Libla says he understands the situation that has now spread from his district across the state and hopes the matter can be resolved in a timely fashion. “DOR needed to stop collecting and sharing private data belonging to our state’s citizens; however, it’s time to protect the civil liberties and rights of all Missourians on all sides of the problem and solve this serious issue.”
Dee Loflin, Manager/Writer SMT
Dexter, Missouri - Jason Smith was the guest speaker at the Stoddard County Republican Club meeting on Monday, March 18th.
Jason is the Republican Candidate for the up-coming June 4th special election to fill the Missouri 8th U.S. Congressional seat formally held by JoAnne Emerson.
Jason currently is the Missouri House of Representative for the 150th District and Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem.
Pictures with the Candidate from the left are Stoddard County Republican Club Officers: Evelyn Griffin, Treasurer, Aleshia Flowers, Secretary, Gloria Hampton, Assistant Treasurer, Jason Smith, Candidate, Jim Henderson, President and Mike Watkins, Vice President.
Submitted by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - After adjusting our mechanical and body clocks and “springing forward” to adjust to daylight savings, work at your state capitol continued with several issues debated and passed out of the House and others scheduled for hearings.
Much of the focus was on allegations that the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is scanning and distributing of private information to external parties and possibly the federal government. If you’ve followed the news, you have likely seen that a Stoddard County resident filed a lawsuit against the department after they told him it was a requirement to scan and save his "source documents" (birth certificate, social security card, marriage license, divorce decree, utility bill, etc.) in order to add his concealed carry status to his driver’s license. He believes, as I do, that the state has no business keeping electronic copies of this information, and certainly has no right to send the information to companies that operate outside of Missouri, as seems to be the current practice.
Representatives from DOR answered questions in the Capitol this week about this development; a senate committee hearing was held with DOR on Monday. This is especially concerning given the fact the White House has made it clear it wants to establish a federal gun owner database, and the new equipment that is currently being installed in local license offices has reportedly been provided through a grant with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
To combat this situation, we are pursuing several avenues. HB818 will further protect our 2nd Amendment rights, and prevent state agencies from creating or assisting the federal government to compile information relating to firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories.
HB787, would prohibit DOR from scanning personal documents and transferring them to an out-of-state database. Together, these measures send a strong message that the Missouri House is ready to defend the privacy rights of all Missourians. Following Spring Break, these bills will be heard in committee, and quickly moved to the House floor.
This week we answered the call of thousands of workers in the medical field who do not want to be forced to perform or participate in procedures or research that infringe upon their beliefs.
HCS HB 457, sponsored by Speaker of the House Tim Jones (R-110), is a shield for medical professionals to exercise their conscience rights. It serves to protect them from participation in medical procedures or research that violates their religious, moral or ethical beliefs.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at Kent.Hampton@house.mo.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - As we have reached the halfway point of session and with a week off for Spring Break. This week’s report turns to the most important event in history. Holy Week is approaching, but what does that matter in a modern world that is forgetting about God?
When Jesus rose from the dead, grief departed, and His suffering—so wrenching and complete—became a thing of the past. At the moment of Christ's resurrection, His focus, and ours, turned to the future.
The miraculous lesson of Easter is that through Jesus' death on the Cross, and by our acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior we have been granted a second chance—permission to leave our old lives behind and stand before the pristine, unmarred canvas of a new day, with all its potential for joy and choices that honor God.
Christ is victorious over death, and His Kingdom is forever.
When we hear about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it should stir and shake us. "What? Somebody has risen from the dead? Who is it? That can't be – if it is true the whole world must change!"
“And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
(Matthew 28:7 NLT)
Did you know?
Easter, is Christianity's most important holiday. It has been called a moveable feast because it doesn't fall on a set date every year, as most holidays do. Instead, Christian churches in the West celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21.
Therefore, Easter is observed anywhere between March 22 and April 25 every year. Orthodox Christians use the Julian calendar to calculate when Easter will occur and typically celebrate the holiday a week or two after the Western churches, which follow the Gregorian calendar.
Across all cultures, men and women have found consolation and courage in the belief that death is not the end, but as a follower of our Lord and Savior that it is followed by another, better life to come.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629.
You can also email me at Kent.Hampton@house.mo.gov.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kent Hampton
Kent Hampton is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. He has recently created a Capitol Report that was recently issued on March 11th. This report contains bills that have been discussed, debated, and voted on within the House of Representatives. The bills are now being passed on to the Senate to be approved. If they are approved, they will be sent to the Missouri Governor to be signed and officially be put into action as Missouri laws.
Recently Passed Bills in the Missouri House
Parent and Community School Information Act (HB 388): In order to give parents an easy understanding and progress of their children’s schools, the Parent and Community School Information Act would be used to evaluate every public and charter school in the state.
Right to Farm (HJRs 11 & 7): Upon voter approval, this constitutional amendment would protect the traditional rights of Missourians to engage in the farming traditions that have been handed down for generations. And restrict groups that have an agenda to drive up cost and incur non-feasible restrictions.
Veterans Lottery Ticket (HJR 8): Upon voter approval, this constitutional amendment would require the State Lottery Commission to develop and begin selling a “Veterans Lottery Ticket” by July 1, 2015. Proceeds generated from ticket sales would be dedicated solely to the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvements Trust Fund.
School Construction Act (HB 34): Eliminates prevailing wage requirements for school renovation and upgrade projects in rural school districts.
Employment Law Reform (HB 320): Changes laws regarding unlawful discriminatory employment practices and protection for whistleblowers.
General Assembly Term Limits (HJR4): Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment prohibits a person from serving more than 16 years in the General Assembly. The service may be split between the House of Representatives and the Senate in any proportion as long as the individual serves no more than 16 years total.
Admissibility of Evidence (HJR16): Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment allows relevant evidence of prior criminal acts, whether charged or uncharged, to be admissible in the prosecution for a crime of a sexual nature involving a victim under 16 years of age for the purpose of corroborating the victim's testimony or demonstrating the defendant's propensity to commit the crime with which he or she is presently charged.
Initiative and Referendum Petitions (HB117): This bill changes the laws regarding initiative and referendum petitions.
Purple Heart State (HCR5): This designates the State of Missouri as a Purple Heart State, honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s men and women in uniform who were wounded or killed while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
The Purple Heart State would be a great addition to Missouri and the recently passed project of turning highways I-70 and I-44 into part of the Purple Heart Trail.
