144th House District Capitol Report

What was supposed to be a joyous occasion for our state and for our Chiefs turned into a dark day. This was a senseless act of violence by those with evil in their hearts. I am praying for each of those impacted by the tragedy.

Law enforcement and the quick-acting good Samaritans should be commended for their bravery and diligence in their response. I am so grateful for the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting others. Missourians take care of one another, and the action of these heroes exemplify what it means to be a Missourian.

• Moratoriums on evictions: The Missouri House passed HB 2062, a piece of legislation seeking to prohibit counties, municipalities or political subdivisions from implementing eviction moratoriums unless explicitly allowed by state law. Eviction moratoriums infringe on property rights and disrupt contracts between landlords and tenants. Eviction is governed by state law.

The legislation is the House's third attempt to address the issue since the pandemic began. It aims to prevent local governments from imposing eviction moratoriums, highlighting the goal of safeguarding property rights.

• Tightening down immigration laws: The House Special Committee on Homeland Security discussed several immigration bills and how to strengthen border security while ensuring that individuals entering the state are doing so through lawful ports of entry.

I am the sponsor of HB 2470 which addresses illegal entry, categorizing it as a class B misdemeanor with potential escalation to a class E felony for repeat offenses. The bill introduces additional offenses for illegal aliens and outlines penalties. Certain individuals enforcing these offenses are protected from arrest or detention in specific locations. If this bill passes, it will be the strongest anti-illegal immigration bill in the entire country.

HB 2523 defines the offense of trespass by an illegal alien, classifying it as a class E felony for individuals aged 18 or older committing certain offenses on public or private land. The bill exempts federally authorized individuals, and a violation does not establish probable cause for any other offense.

HB 2367 specifies that illegal aliens committing offenses are guilty of trespass, with severity depending on the initial offense. Trespass is a class E felony for infractions and a class C felony for misdemeanors or felonies. The punishment for trespass is in addition to the initial offense's penalty and does not apply to federally authorized individuals.

The discussions reflect heightened concerns over immigration and border security at both the federal and state level.

• Increasing penalties for break-ins and theft: Newly proposed legislation in Missouri is advocating for stronger laws in response to a perceived lack of safety in residential neighborhoods. Individuals are routinely going through neighborhoods, mostly in the St. Louis area, seeking opportunities to steal from homes and cars. This typically involves pulling door handles on multiple cars, looking for those that are unlocked.

Current state statutes are insufficient, resulting in inadequate penalties, especially for juvenile offenders. The proposed bill seeks to establish a new offense related to unlawfully gaining entry into a motor vehicle, making it a class E felony with potential imprisonment and fines. The bill also suggests expanding the definition of second-degree burglary to include unlawful entry into a vehicle with the intent to commit a felony or theft, with enhanced penalties for firearm-related offenses. Some members question the necessity of introducing a new offense, when we have existing laws. Crime is to the point that we need to increase the penalties to effectively address the issue and act as a deterrent. The legislation passed out of committee last week and now awaits referral to the House floor for debate.

• As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns or suggestions you might have. As your representative, I am here to assist you however I can. I can be reached by email at Chris.Dinkins@house.mo.gov or by phone at (573) 751-2112. Please do not contact me via social media. These messages are easy to overlook and may not be responded to in a timely manner.

CHRIS DINKINS represents Missouri's 144th House District. The district includes Bollinger, Iron, Madison, Reynolds, Shannon, Washington and Wayne counties.