It is hard to believe the first month of session is already in the books. Thanks to the leadership of state Sen. Ron Richard and Speaker Todd Richardson, the General Assembly got to work tackling issues that are important to Missourians. Committee chairs have been hearing bills, taking testimony and moving legislation to the floor. The Senate calendar is well populated with a variety of topics for discussion, and the Senate will continue spending more and more time debating and refining legislation on the Senate floor.
Because of the accelerated pace of this year's session, in comparison to historic norms, some folks, both within and outside the building, have questioned whether or not the Senate is still functioning as the deliberative body it is designed to be. The answer to that question is an unequivocal YES. This year's session is different because bills are quickly being assigned to committees for hearings, but once the legislation comes to the floor, it is thoroughly debated. The Senate does not limit debate or cut off amendments, and the Senate works through the calendar in order. We are not racing to get a bunch of things done just to get them done. Instead, we are doing what Missourians rightfully expect us to do, which is diligently work through a large amount of filed legislation, discussing and refining throughout the process, ultimately enacting only a fraction of what was filed.
Wednesday evening the Senate spent several hours debating Senate Joint Resolution 19. SJR19 would put before Missourians, on the November ballot, whether to expand the Conservation Commission from its current four members to six members. No senator questioned the good work of the Department of Conservation over the last 80 years, and nearly all of the senators acknowledged that MDC continues to do good work across the state. The discussion centered on whether or not the four person commission, as established 80 years ago, continues to be an effective model today or whether adding two additional commissioners will make the commission even more effective.
Since the commission was established, the annual budget has grown considerably. Today it is approximately $180 million from a dedicated funding stream that is not appropriated by the Legislature. MDC has also purchased tens of thousands of acres across the state that provide opportunities for Missourians to hunt, fish and participate in many other outdoor activities. I voted in favor of SJR19 because I believe the size of the department's budget, and the amount of land that the department owns and buys, is worthy of two additional sets of eyes. Hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports are part of the fabric of Missouri. Expanding the board from four to six members will provide an opportunity for more Missourians, from all parts of the state, to serve.
A six-member commission mirrors the Highway and Transportation Commission, so there is considerable precedent for this change. Additionally, outdoor and wildlife organizations from across the state have voiced their support for expanding the commission by two members. These groups recognize the great work the department does and are eager for some of their members to have the opportunity to serve on the commission which oversees the conservation department considered by many to be the national model for wildlife management.
Ultimately, it will be up to Missourians to decide whether Missouri's wildlife and outdoor resources are best managed by a structure put in place 80 years ago, or whether modern hunting, fishing and outdoor resources can benefit from adding two additional members to the commission. I have no desire to change what MDC does or to jeopardize their excellent reputation. I am persuaded that, given the size of their budget and their land-ownership footprint across the state, two additional commissioners will make the commission even more responsive and better able to build upon the reputation it has earned.
This week, the Senate also sent bills to the House regarding palliative care and infectious disease treatment. Sen. Hegeman's SB635 creates the Missouri Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Council to evaluate and promote palliative care for Missourians. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses that focuses on providing patients with relief from symptoms, pain, and stress. It is a method of care that encourages communication and collaboration between doctors, nurses and specialists to achieve the best quality of life for patients while treating a serious illness. Sen. Schaaf's SB579 establishes an antibiotic stewardship program for evaluating the judicious use of antibiotics, particularly those serving as the last line of defense against resistant infections.
Rep. Hurst, Rep. Wood and I will be holding the second of the series of town hall meetings to discuss the Rock Island Trail. The meetings will be an opportunity for David, Tom and I to update you on what we are hearing from the owners of the trail, and projected timelines over the next decade(s) on what could - or could not - take place. We will also endeavor to answer questions about how the project could progress in the near future. The next meeting will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Freeburg American Legion Hall. As a reminder, the last meeting of the series will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in the Eldon High School Cafeteria.
My purpose and my intent is to serve the constituents of the 6th Senatorial District. If you are in the State Capitol during the coming weeks and months, please stop by your office in Room 321.
State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, represents the 6th District.