After rejecting an amendment to remove alcohol sales from the bill, Missouri senators gave first-round approval Tuesday afternoon to a proposal allowing special events at the Capitol and the Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment site during the next decade.
"It grants the Missouri Capitol Commission (and) the Office of Administration to enter into contracts with independent vendors, that would provide goods and services for sale here in the Capitol, as related to the Capitol's 100th anniversary events that we have going on," Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, explained.
"The Capitol Commission intends to hold several events over the next several years that would commemorate various 100th anniversary milestones ... including when we actually celebrated the Capitol grand opening, which was in 1924."
Kehoe is a member of the Capitol Commission, which originally was created while the building was under construction.
Passing the bill would change state law until Dec. 31, 2024, so the commission and OA could contract with companies to sell "food, T-shirts, beverages, etc.," Kehoe said, "(only for) an event related to the centennial celebration."
The House passed a similar bill on March 4, by a 151-1 margin. That measure, sponsored by Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, is scheduled to be heard this afternoon by the Senate's Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee.
With some exceptions, alcohol sales and consumption are not permitted on any state property, including the Capitol grounds.
And Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, told Kehoe some House members regretted not prohibiting alcohol sales in their version of the bill.
So, Emery offered an amendment to keep the state's current prohibition of those sales, telling colleagues: "That's something that I just think is not, probably, a really good demonstration of our stewardship to the citizens of Missouri."
But, Kehoe countered, "We would like to be able to have the full range of options to be available to the Capitol Commission, to make, I think, responsible decisions."
Since the sales would be limited to special events, he added, it would give the state a chance to showcase the products of "some great Missouri manufacturers," including Mid-Missouri wine products and beers produced by "brewers large and small all around the state."
Kehoe noted both he and Emery often talk about "personal responsibility, (and) I don't believe that government needs to tell people whether they can have another beer or wine, if they come to a 100th anniversary celebration event. But I think it does help promote the event, get more attendance and raise money and awareness for this building as we move forward."
The current Capitol was designed and built after Missouri's previous statehouse was destroyed by fire after lightning struck the dome on Feb. 5, 1911.
By 1913, construction was underway, and lawmakers - who had met in borrowed rooms around the city during the construction - began meeting in the new building in 1918.
But, partly because World War I still was underway when the current building began being used - and there were efforts to decorate it after lawmakers and state officials began meeting in it - the grand opening wasn't held until 1924, which is why centennial events will continue being scheduled through 2024.