The Capitol is a lot quieter than when we are in session, but there is still a lot of activity in and around this building.
As I look out over the Missouri River on the beautiful fountains below, youth groups and families are constantly milling around the Capitol Complex with the Law Enforcement Memorial, the Veterans Plaza, Gold Star Families Memorial Monument and of course the Bicentennial Bridge. We certainly have a lot to be proud of living in Jefferson City.
Much of what I do in the interim is visiting with constituents, talking to civic groups and planning for next session. One of the other things that happen this time of year is the governor signing bills, and I am blessed to have had Gov. Parson sign two of my bills.
My House Bill 131 was signed into law Wednesday. The Office of Administration asked me to file the biweekly pay bill and helped me get it through to the governor’s desk. The bill will change the state employee pay schedule from being paid on the 15th or 31st to being paid every two weeks.
One of the focus areas for me and my colleagues in the House and Senate is to address the real life issues our state employees face every day. With the 8.7 percent pay increase combined with the increase we approved last year, we are slowly making headway with their compensation package and retaining more of these civil servants.
Sadly too many of our state workforce have to have a second job and some even a third. The steps we are taking will address issues they have and hopefully keep them in our workforce.
The second was my House Bill 127 which eliminates the Personnel Advisory Board; it was included in Senate Bill 111. The Office of Administration over time changed their processes and that made the board obsolete. The elimination of the board will improve efficiency in the operation of the state’s personnel system by allowing the Division of Personnel to take necessary actions without arranging and convening a meeting of the board. The actions taken by the board at such meetings have become largely ministerial over the last 10-plus years.
The board’s rule-making authority will be transferred to the Division of Personnel, which in practice has already fallen to the division for the last several years. The process for making and amending administrative rules is governed by statute (Chapter 536) and requires publication and the opportunity for public comment, removing any concern that elimination of the board could result in lack of transparency in rulemaking. This statutory transparency will be coupled with the oversight of the commissioner of administration.
In other action taken by the governor’s office this past week, Senate Bill 13 was signed into law. The bill is a financial institutions bill that had many provisions as listed below.
This act is substantially similar to SB 1096 (2022) and certain provisions in SCS/HB 2571 (2022).
Authority of the Division of Finance: (Section 361.020) The act stipulates that the Division of Finance is in charge of the execution of the laws relating to banks, trust companies, and the banking business of the state; laws relating to persons and entities engaged in the small loan or consumer credit business in the state; the laws relating to persons and entities engaged in the mortgage business in the state; and the laws relating to persons and entities engaged in any other financial services related to business over which the Division of Finance is granted express authority.
The act provides that the compensation and necessary travel and other expenses of the members of the State Banking and Savings and Loan Board shall be paid out of the Division of Finance Fund.
Current law provides that a majority of the members of the State Banking and Savings and Loan Board constitutes a quorum. This act provides that three members of the board shall constitute a quorum.
The division is permitted to provide administrative services to the board to assist the board with fulfilling its statutory responsibilities.
The act repeals an obsolete requirement that the result of all examinations of banks and trust companies during a biennial period be embodied in a report made by the director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance to the General Assembly, such reporting requirement having previously been repealed.
Furthermore, the act clarifies the requirements for issuing a notice of charges with respect to a director, officer, employee, agent or other person participating in the affairs of a bank or trust company regulated by the division under Chapter 361. Specifically, whenever the director has reason to believe from any examination or investigation made by the director or his or her examiners, that any such corporation, foreign corporation or director, officer, employee, agent or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of such corporation is engaging in, has engaged in or is about to engage in.
The Missouri National Veterans Memorial (MNVM) is excited to announce the Military Trails of Missouri program to honor our state’s military heritage sites. This initiative is designed to encourage more Missourians to visit these sites that recognize the sacrifices of our state’s veterans and military personnel. Twelve military heritage sites were selected across the state, including NMVM in Perryville, the Soldiers Memorial in St. Louis, the Veterans Memorial Museum in Branson, and the Museum of Missouri Military History in Jefferson City. Patrons can receive a coin to commemorate their visit to each site. Upon visiting all 12 sites, they will receive a completion coin to celebrate their accomplishment.
Finally, with summer comes family vacations and time to visit our beautiful state, and when making your plans, consider a trip to the Capitol and the Capitol Complex. We’re right here, and it will bring memories for a lifetime. This is the people’s House, and you are always welcome to come by and visit.
State Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, represents Missouri’s 60th District and shares his perspective on statehouse issues twice a month.