Show-Me State Times

The Missouri House has passed a comprehensive public safety bill, HB 1659, which is now set for consideration in the Senate. Sponsored by Rep. Lane Roberts (R-Joplin), the bill has garnered support from various entities, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Kara Corches, vice president of government affairs for the Missouri Chamber, highlighted some key provisions of the bill, stating, “There are a number of important provisions in this bill. These include enacting ‘Blair’s Law,’ which addresses the issue of celebratory gunfire, and strengthening criminal penalties for repeat and violent offenders.”

The Missouri Chamber's annual business leader survey revealed the significant impact of rising crime rates on businesses statewide. Corches emphasized that 90% of respondents in the survey expressed concern about public safety, with 70% believing that crime is negatively affecting the state's economic competitiveness.

The bill passed the House with bipartisan support, with a vote of 120-26. The Missouri Chamber’s Safer Missouri Stronger Missouri report outlined recommendations that have strong backing from the business community, including deploying evidence-based approaches to crime reduction, supporting policing efforts, addressing substance misuse and mental health, reducing recidivism, improving opportunities for incarcerated individuals, and enhancing public safety staffing and prosecutorial consistency.

For further information, individuals are encouraged to contact Corches at kcorches@mochamber.com or 573-634-3511.