Rep. Dean Dohrman, a Republican, represents Johnson, Pettis, and Saline counties (District 51). He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012. In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Dohrman is an online professor. Rep. Dohrman is a member of Warrensburg and Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sedalia Lions Club. He attends Wesley United Methodist Church. A graduate of LaMonte High, Rep. Dohrman earned his PhD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2004. Born in Warrensburg, Rep. Dohrman currently lives in LaMonte.

Capitol Report Aug. 31, 2017

Posted Thursday, August 31, 2017, at 3:51 PM

Last Friday, I was fortunate enough to attend the W.C. Morris Science Building Renovation celebration and tour at the UCM campus in Warrensburg. University faculty, staff, and students joined the public and friends of the university in recognizing the accomplishments of those involved in the renovation and celebrating the newly remodeled spaces.

Completion of $18.4 million renovation of the W.C. Morris Science Building at UCM marks the university’s commitment to current and future generations of students to provide state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories for the study of the sciences, mathematics, computer science, and cybersecurity.

Much of the work done by the Missouri House and Senate from January to May finally became law this week as many of the bills approved during the last legislative session officially took effect August 28. During the 2017 legislative session, the House and Senate worked together to send 56 pieces of legislation across the finish line and gave approval to an additional 16 appropriations bills.

Of the bills sent to the governor, 38 originated in the Senate and 18 in the House, with the 16 appropriations bills originally filed in the House as well. The governor went on to sign the bulk of the bills into law, but did veto two bills from the House, as well as two from the Senate. The governor also had line item vetoes in three appropriations bills.

Finally, as promised, this week includes six additional TAFP’d bills summarized below. Next week will wrap up the TAFP’d bill summaries just in time for Veto Session on September 13th.

Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed Bills

SB 248 (Signed by Governor: 6/20) - Repeals the expiration date for tax refund contributions to the Organ Donor Program Fund

This act repeals the expiration date on the tax refund contribution for the Organ Donor Program Fund.

SB 279 (Signed by Governor: 6/14) - Adds certain forms to the list of documents sufficient to demonstrate eligibility for a veteran designation on an applicant's driver's license or non-driver identification card

This act authorizes a person to receive a veteran designation on a driver's license or identification card upon submission of a United States Department of Veterans Affairs photo identification card, or a discharge document WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78 PD, NAVCG 553, or DD 215 form showing a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions".

SB 283 (Signed by Governor: 7/11) - Enacts provisions relating to political subdivisions

All members of a tourism commission must currently be residents of the city or county enacting the corresponding sales tax. This act specifies that when the members of the tourism commission are appointed by the governing body of a city, the members must be residents of the city, or of the county in which any portion of the city is located. This act also specifies that if members of a tourism commission are appointed by the governing body of a county, all members shall be residents of such county.

Currently, road overseers and county highway engineers finding obstructed roads are required to notify the landowner obstructing the road. This act, among other provisions, expands the provision to damage of roads and specifies that the overseer or engineer is permitted to notify the landowner to remove the obstruction, or perform or pay for repairs. If the landowner fails to take action as requested, the road overseer or engineer may petition the court to enter the land for the limited purpose of rectifying the violation. If the petition is granted, the judgment shall include an award for the reasonable cost of removal or repair, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. If the petition is denied, the county shall be responsible for the landowner's court costs and attorney's fees. The act authorizes any charter county to enact an ordinance to provide for alternative measures to address obstruction of and drainage to public rights-of-way. Road damage or obstruction shall not violate this provision when farming or ranching lands have been improved using soil and water conservation practices or precision level grading practices as provided in the act.

SB 322 (Signed by Governor: 6/29) - Designates certain memorial infrastructure

This act designates the "USMA Cadet Thomas M. Surdyke Memorial Highway", the "Sherman Brown Jr. Memorial Highway", the "Mary Groves Bland Memorial Bridge", the "Edward F. Dixon The Third Memorial Highway", the "Lyndon Ebker Memorial Bridge", and the "Roger "Dusty" Shaw Memorial Bridge".

SB 329 (Signed by Governor: 7/11) - Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicle franchise practices

Currently, it is considered an unlawful practice under merchandising practices provisions of law to authorize a person to perform warranty service repairs unless the person is a franchisee unless the repair is an emergency repair or a repair under a fleet contract. This act also allows engine manufacturers who are not motor vehicle manufacturers to provide warranty service to engines that it manufactured, so long as such manufacturer does not control more than 7 facilities in this state, and so long as it provides its franchisees or dealers with access to support for completing repairs substantially equal to the support the manufacturer provides.

SB 376 (Signed by Governor: 6/23) - Designates "Old Drum" as the historical dog of the state of Missouri and "Jim the Wonder Dog" as Missouri's wonder dog

This act, which I handled in the House, designates "Old Drum" as the historical dog of the state of Missouri and "Jim the Wonder Dog" as Missouri's wonder dog.

It is an honor to serve the 51st District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Each week I will issue a capitol report to keep you informed of activities in Jefferson City. Any concerns or issues you might have are of great interest to me. I look forward to your input and thoughts, so please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions, concerns, or ideas to improve our state government and the quality of life for all Missourians. My telephone number is 573-751-2204 or you may contact me by email at dean.dohrman@house.mo.gov. Thank you for working with me to make Missouri a great place to live.