Engler's bills become law

A productive legislative session for Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, led to several new laws that went into effect last week. Sen. Engler passed measures that honor Missouri residents killed in combat, protect the rights of firearms owners, and keep public benefits from illegal immigrants.

“During the legislative session, I was able to pass a number of bills that address the interests of the district,” said Sen. Engler. “It is my hope that the things we have done start making Missouri a better place to live, work, visit, and raise a family.”

House Bill 1549 fights the problem of illegal immigration in Missouri. The bill sends a clear message that the state will not tolerate undocumented workers by cracking down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants with stiffer fines and penalties. The bill also bans illegal immigrants from attending public universities and junior colleges and prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving driver’s licenses. The legislation also includes a provision drafted by Sen. Engler blocking illegal residents from receiving state or local public benefits.

House Bill 2034 is an omnibus gun rights bill ensuring the second amendment stays safe in the state of Missouri. The bill contains several provisions, including a measure originally introduced by Sen. Engler (Senate Bill 1076), protecting firearm range owners from noise violation suits. House Bill 2034 also removes residency requirements for certain concealed carry permit holders and closes the records of those who filed with their county sheriff to receive a concealed carry permit.

Senate Bill 806 requires the Missouri and U.S. flags to fly at half staff whenever a Missouri resident is killed in combat. The bill applies to any Missouri resident who dies in combat during military service.

“These laws curb illegal immigration in our state, ensure Missourians right to bear arms, and honor Missouri’s fallen heroes,” said Sen. Engler. “I am confident that these measures will better our state.”

And deputies in rural Missouri will see a rise in their salary thanks to legislation. County sheriff’s deputies in the 3rd Senate District and throughout the state will receive better pay. The bill that passed during the 2008 legislative session creates a fund specifically to increase the salaries of sheriff’s deputies.

House Bill 2224 and Senate Bill 935, co-sponsored by Engler, allows sheriffs to receive an additional $10 fee for processing any civil summons, writ, subpoena or other court order. This money will go into the newly created “Deputy Sheriff Salary Supplementation Fund,” which will be used to bolster the pay of county deputy sheriffs.

“Some counties are poor and deputies are required to purchase their uniforms and weapons or drive their own car, man can’t do that making twenty thousand dollars a year,” said Sen. Engler. “This raise, at the very least, will help lessen that burnden.”

The average salary for county deputies is just more than $22,000, with most taking home only about $15,500 per year. This salary puts those with families below the federal poverty level. Lawmakers met with officials last summer in order to discuss ways to solve the problem. House Bill 2224 is a result of those discussions.

“It is a disgrace that a lot of deputies across the state are on public assistance because their salaries are so low,” said Sen. Engler. “These people have dedicated themselves to protecting and serving the public and they deserve better.”

Approved bills that do not have an emergency clause went into effect Aug. 28.

Archives Web Site Marketplace Obits Babies Jobs