Shoemyer legislation goes into effect

A handful of bills sponsored by state Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence, and approved during the last legislative session recently took effect.
Senate Bill 192, which was added to the omnibus crime bill that was approved, redefines the term “intoxication-related traffic offense” to include certain traffic offenses involving alcohol regardless of whether the defendant was represented by or waived the right to an attorney in writing. The term is used in the provisions providing enhanced penalties for persons who commit multiple intoxication-related traffic offenses.
Another piece of legislation (Senate Bill 196) modifies provisions relating to the procedure for detaching territory from a public water supply district.
When a petition for detachment is submitted to the circuit court by someone other than the district’s board of directors, the district shall be named as a defendant and a copy of the petition shall be served upon the district by certified or registered mail at least 35 days before the hearing.
Previously, the law required notice of the petition to detach to be published in a newspaper in each county containing any portion of the proposed territory. The act instead requires that notice be published in a newspaper in the county in which the hearing will be held as well as in a newspaper with circulation in the proposed territory.
The act adds the district itself as an allowable entity to make an exception or objection to a proposed detachment. The act modifies the language required to be posted in the newspaper to mirror the statutory requirements.
Under Senate Bill 480, the Second State Capitol Commission was renamed the Missouri State Capitol Commission.
Previously, commission membership included one member of the majority and minority parties of the House and Senate. The new act requires the Senate member to be appointed by the pro tem and the House member to be appointed by the speaker.
The commission’s duties have been expanded to include evaluating and approving capitol studies and improvement, expansion, renovation and restoration projects to be paid out of the State Capitol Commission fund, and initiating planning efforts, subject to appropriation, for a centennial celebration of the laying of the capstone of the state capitol.
Gifts, bequests, donations and grants may be used for the preservation, improvement, expansion and renovation of the capitol.
The act also creates the Missouri Board on Geographic Names within the office of the Secretary of State. The board has the following duties:
• Evaluate proposals for changes in names of geographical features and places.
• Make official recommendations to and cooperate with the U.S. Board on Geographic names.
• Maintain a list of advisers who have special interest and knowledge in Missouri history, geography or culture and consult with such advisers.
• Develop and revise state priorities for geographic records projects.
• Report annually to the General Assembly.
Finally, passed as a stand alone bill was a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to support the continuation of horse processing in the U.S., offer incentives to help create horse processing plants throughout the country and oppose any legislation introduced in the new session of Congress that would restrict horse processing.