Jefferson City - Missourians serving in the military and deployed overseas would have an easier time renewing or replacing a driver’s license under legislation sponsored by Rep. Jason Grill, D-Parkville, and approved by the House. The legislation received strong bipartisan support and passed the House by a unanimous vote of 154-0.
The legislation (HB 933) states that an application for a driver’s license or renewal would be sufficient when signed by person who holds a general power of attorney executed by the currently deployed member of the U.S. Armed Forces, if the applicant meets all other requirements set by the director. This will help streamline the renewal process and make situations less complicated for families and individuals with loved ones deployed throughout the world.
“As a freshman legislator and a member of the minority party I knew it would be difficult to get legislation passed this session,” said Rep. Grill, the only Democrat freshman legislator to pass a bill and one of only two other members of the minority party to do so this session at the time.
“However, the overwhelming support of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle made the process smoother. The end result is that we were able to pass good legislation that is the right thing to do for the brave men and women who serve our country overseas.” "As a mainstream member of the House, I have always tried to build bridges across the aisle in order to help all Missourians," said Rep. Grill
After the HB 933 was passed in the House it moved to the Senate where the Transportation Committee voted unanimously in favor of the legislation. “I’ve been fortunate to have strong support from legislators from both parties in the House and that bipartisan support has continued in the Senate. I am hopeful we will see this bill signed into law in the near future," said Rep. Grill.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Rep. Grill’s Legislation to Streamline Driver’s License Renewal Process for Deployed Military Nears Final Steps of Legislative Process
Jefferson City – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Jason Grill, D-Parkville, that would make it easier for deployed Missourians to renew a driver’s license has taken another step closer to final approval by both chambers. Rep. Grill’s bill (HB933), which received unanimous approval in the House and in the Senate Transportation Committee. In the House, Rep. Grill will soon bring to the floor for debate the Senate legislation (SB 666) that contains language identical to that contained in his House bill.
The two bills state that an application for a driver’s license or renewal would be sufficient when signed by person who holds a general power of attorney executed by the currently deployed member of the U.S. Armed Forces. SB 666 has additional language that allows certain licensed professionals to renew a license expiring while they are serving in the military, within 60 days from completing their service.
“Having the language in both bills helps ensure we will get this passed and signed into law this year. I am excited to have the opportunity to handle the Republican sponsored Senate Bill in the House and to help guide it through the final steps of the process,” said Rep. Grill. "I have always believed that it does not matter if an idea come from a Republican or a Democrat as long as it is good for the citizens of Missouri." “This can help eliminate an unnecessary burden for our deployed military personnel who are selflessly serving our country. It’s the right thing to do and I am overjoyed by the support I have had from both parties all throughout this process.”
If either piece of legislation is approved it will then be sent to the Governor’s desk where it will be signed into law.
The two bills state that an application for a driver’s license or renewal would be sufficient when signed by person who holds a general power of attorney executed by the currently deployed member of the U.S. Armed Forces. SB 666 has additional language that allows certain licensed professionals to renew a license expiring while they are serving in the military, within 60 days from completing their service.
“Having the language in both bills helps ensure we will get this passed and signed into law this year. I am excited to have the opportunity to handle the Republican sponsored Senate Bill in the House and to help guide it through the final steps of the process,” said Rep. Grill. "I have always believed that it does not matter if an idea come from a Republican or a Democrat as long as it is good for the citizens of Missouri." “This can help eliminate an unnecessary burden for our deployed military personnel who are selflessly serving our country. It’s the right thing to do and I am overjoyed by the support I have had from both parties all throughout this process.”
If either piece of legislation is approved it will then be sent to the Governor’s desk where it will be signed into law.
Rep. Jason Grill’s Bill to Provide Tax Credits to Stay-At-Home Parents Awaits Discussion on House Floor
Jefferson City – Rep. Jason Grill, D-Parkville, hopes to help parents who want to take a more active role in parenting by authorizing a significant tax credit for those who stay at home to raise their children. Rep. Grill is the sponsor of HB 932 that was approved unanimously by the House Special Committee on Tax Reform and currently awaits discussion on the House floor.
House Bill 932 would authorize the Motherhood/Fatherhood Stay-At-Home Tax Credit for a parent who stays at home to provide care for a child up to 24 months of age. Any parent who was employed before the birth or adoption of a child whose annual salary was less than $100,000 would be eligible for a tax credit equal to 25 percent of their salary in the year before choosing to become a stay-at-home parent. The annual cumulative amount of the credits issued could not exceed $2 million.
“Raising our children to be successful and healthy adults is a top priority for us as a society. Anything we can do to assist in that task is beneficial not only to the child, but to the population as a whole,” said Rep. Grill. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received for this legislation and I am hopeful we can move it through the legislative process during the final weeks of session.”
After being approved by the House Special Committee on Tax Reform, the bill moved to the House Rules Committee where it also received unanimous approval. It now sits on the House Perfection Calendar which means it can be brought up for debate on the House floor at any time.
House Bill 932 would authorize the Motherhood/Fatherhood Stay-At-Home Tax Credit for a parent who stays at home to provide care for a child up to 24 months of age. Any parent who was employed before the birth or adoption of a child whose annual salary was less than $100,000 would be eligible for a tax credit equal to 25 percent of their salary in the year before choosing to become a stay-at-home parent. The annual cumulative amount of the credits issued could not exceed $2 million.
“Raising our children to be successful and healthy adults is a top priority for us as a society. Anything we can do to assist in that task is beneficial not only to the child, but to the population as a whole,” said Rep. Grill. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received for this legislation and I am hopeful we can move it through the legislative process during the final weeks of session.”
After being approved by the House Special Committee on Tax Reform, the bill moved to the House Rules Committee where it also received unanimous approval. It now sits on the House Perfection Calendar which means it can be brought up for debate on the House floor at any time.
Rep. Jason Grill Visits With Developmental Disabilities Council to Discuss Their Needs
Jefferson City – Members of the Metropolitan Council on Developmental Disabilities for Region IV recently made the trip to Jefferson City to visit with Rep. Jason Grill, D-Parkville, to discuss some of the priority items on their agenda. Some of the key issues discussed were Medicaid reform, per diem increases for sheltered workshops, improving local transportation options and strengthening community providers.
“One of my top priorities is to ensure our disabled Missourians can continue to live healthy and productive lives that allow them to be the contributing members of society they want and hope to be,” said Rep. Grill. “It was a great opportunity to be able to meet with members of the council to discuss their needs and issues so that I can better represent their interests here at the State Capitol. We had a productive and enjoyable visit and I look forward to meeting with them again back in the district.”
Also on hand for the trip to the Capitol were disabled Missourians Ruth Brenner and Tom Welliver, who like Rep. Grill is a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Janice Tilman of the Platte County Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled also made the trip to Jefferson City.
“One of my top priorities is to ensure our disabled Missourians can continue to live healthy and productive lives that allow them to be the contributing members of society they want and hope to be,” said Rep. Grill. “It was a great opportunity to be able to meet with members of the council to discuss their needs and issues so that I can better represent their interests here at the State Capitol. We had a productive and enjoyable visit and I look forward to meeting with them again back in the district.”
Also on hand for the trip to the Capitol were disabled Missourians Ruth Brenner and Tom Welliver, who like Rep. Grill is a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Janice Tilman of the Platte County Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled also made the trip to Jefferson City.
Rep. Jason Grill Welcomes Outstanding Park Hill Student to the State Capitol
Jefferson City – Angela Holsteadt, a sophomore at Park Hill High School, made the trip to Jefferson City this week to visit with Rep. Jason Grill, D-Parkville, at the State Capitol. Holsteadt was participating in the annual Sophomore Pilgrimage sponsored by the GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) Art and Literature Club of Parkville.
Each year GFWC clubs send outstanding sophomores from area high schools to Jefferson City on the second Tuesday in April. The pilgrimage promotes goods citizenship and enables students to witness government in action in person. The Sophomore Pilgrimage program has been an ongoing project since 1934.
“It was a wonderful experience having Angela here to see how the legislature works and I hope she enjoyed her time at the Capitol,” said Rep. Grill. “We have so many young people in this state who are interested in the political process and want to learn how to take a more active role. With the help of programs like the Sophomore Pilgrimage they are given a chance to meet their elected officials and gain a better understanding of how the process works.”
Also in attendance with Angela Holsteadt were club members Paige Jackson and Karole Jacobsen.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is one of the nation’s largest and oldest women’s volunteer organizations. Established in 1896, it currently has over 4,000 members volunteering within communities in Missouri. The organization has more than 10 million members worldwide in 20 countries.
Each year GFWC clubs send outstanding sophomores from area high schools to Jefferson City on the second Tuesday in April. The pilgrimage promotes goods citizenship and enables students to witness government in action in person. The Sophomore Pilgrimage program has been an ongoing project since 1934.
“It was a wonderful experience having Angela here to see how the legislature works and I hope she enjoyed her time at the Capitol,” said Rep. Grill. “We have so many young people in this state who are interested in the political process and want to learn how to take a more active role. With the help of programs like the Sophomore Pilgrimage they are given a chance to meet their elected officials and gain a better understanding of how the process works.”
Also in attendance with Angela Holsteadt were club members Paige Jackson and Karole Jacobsen.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is one of the nation’s largest and oldest women’s volunteer organizations. Established in 1896, it currently has over 4,000 members volunteering within communities in Missouri. The organization has more than 10 million members worldwide in 20 countries.
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