Kimberling City Republican's bill makes it illegal to wear a mask during a riot

(From Rep. Don Phillips, R-Kimberling City)

Session Begins for the 99^th General Assembly

On Wednesday, January 4^th, I was sworn in for my final time. It doesn’t seem possible but these next two years will complete eight years as your State Representative and due to term limits, I will be finished.  The first couple of days at the Capitol at the start of a new session are mostly ceremonial in nature. To get things started right I attended a prayer breakfast on Wednesday morning at the Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City.

Same Office

I will go down in history as one of the few Representatives to keep the same office for an entire eight years.  You can still find me and Rosie in Room #135.

Committees Assigned

The Speaker of the House assigned me to the following committees:

Crime Prevention and Public Safety, (Chairman); member of a Special Committee on Litigation Reform; and member of the Conservation and Natural Resources committee. Note: I been Chairman of the Tourism Committee for the past three years and enjoyed serving in that role, however,  I appreciate the opportunity to work with law enforcement related issues.

Inauguration of Governor Greitens

The inauguration of Governor-elect, Eric Greitens will take place on Monday, Jan. 9^th with several events throughout the day beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the Governor’s inauguration ball from 7p.m.-11 p.m.  It’s going to be quite a busy day!

Finding a hotel room can be challenging for the inauguration event and parking is always an issue. Uber has graciously agreed to provide free rides within 20 miles of Jefferson City for 24 hrs. beginning at 8 a.m. Monday morning. This is a temporary service where the drivers are paid by Uber. There are approx.. 150 Uber drivers ready to serve that day. To get a free Uber ride requires downloading the Uber app. on your smart phone. The city council also approved free parking on Jan. 9^th.

On the Home Front

I’ve been busy with local meetings and honoring some of our own for significant reasons. In the past couple of weeks I’ve presented House Resolutions to Efton Pritchard of Reeds Spring for his 90^th birthday, to Rich and Wyn Wittig of Kimberling City for 62 yrs. of marriage, to Retired Major Rowland Douglas for his incredible military record including being awarded five Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and Silver Star plus many more medals too numerous to mention. He’s truly a great combat veteran! On Saturday, I presented Sally Stinson and her daughter Sharon with a resolution commemorating 45 years in business as “Ha-Bob’s” Convenience Store at the junction of MO 13 and Rt. H, in Lampe!  Congrats!

My Bills 

HB 179:  Prohibits an individual from wearing a mask, hood or covering that conceals the person’s identity during an unlawful assembly or riot. HB 180:  Designates the week beginning the second Saturday in June as Law Enforcement Recognition Week. HB 181:  Grants law enforcement officers, agents of the Conservation Dept. and officers in the water division of the Highway Patrol the authority to enforce littering laws on the state’s waterways. This is reinstating an omission from the revised criminal code that became effective on Jan. 1^st. 

Note:  I’m also drafting legislation allowing retired law enforcement officers the ability to be activated during times of emergency for non-enforcement use. (Manning the phones, clerical work, etc.)

I will be reporting soon on the legislative priorities of the Legislative body.