The Missouri General Assembly has adjourned for the week. They will be back in Jefferson City next Tuesday, following Easter Break.

Items of interest this week: 

Use of Electronic Devices in Motor Vehicles – SB 56 (Bean, Dist. 25, Holcomb) creates the “Siddens Bening Hands Free Law”, which prohibits a number of uses of electronic communication devices while operating motor vehicles. Passed Senate March 30

Tax Deduction for Certain Independents –SB 133 (Moon, Dist. 29, Lawrence County) would authorize a taxpayer to claim a $2400 exemption during the tax year in which a taxpayer gives birth. Passed Senate March 30.

Juvenile Courts – SB 22 (Bernskoetter, Dist. 6, Jefferson City) modifies provisions relating to criminal procedures involving juveniles. Bill includes eligibility for parole, jurisdiction of juvenile courts and being tried as an adult. Passed Senate March 30.

Show MO Act – HB 675, (Gregory, Dist. 51, Marshall) reauthorizes tax credits for qualifying expenses related to the production of qualified motion media projects. Passed House April 3.

Career Tech Certificate Program – HB 76 (Kelley, Dist. 127, Lamar) creates the program for students that have met the GPA, attendance and service requirements for the A+ Program and have met other criteria. If approved, this would start in the 2024-25 academic year. Passed House April 4.

Missouri Works Program – HB 939 (Wilson, Dist. 106, St. Charles) would increase the total amount of benefits available to all qualified companies under the Program from $6 million to $10 million in any fiscal year. Defeated in House April 6.

Child Tax Credits – HB 870 (Shields, Dist. 11, St. Joseph) establishes the “Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act”, “Employer Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act”, “Child Care Providers Tax Credit Act”, and “Supporting Use of Child Care for Economic Stability and Security Tax Credit”. Passed House April 3.

Cave Inspection Fees – HB 774 (Gragg, Dist. 140, Christian County) includes electrical installations in the list of items inspected prior to a cave being open to the public and increases the annual cave inspection fees from the current amount of $35 to $100. Fees have not increased since the 1960s and do not cover the cost of performing the inspection. Passed House April 3.

Branson’s Link Academy is the #1 high school team in the country after winning the GEICO Nationals. Meet the players, get autographs, and celebrate the team’s incredible win with a parade Wednesday, April 12 at 5:30 pm at the Branson Landing. Congratulations to the team on their amazing win!

Monday, April 12 | 5:30 pm

Branson Landing

100 Branson Landing Boulevard

Branson, MO 65616

TANEY COUNTY WORKFORCE SUMMIT

You won't want to miss the 2023 Taney County Workforce Summit on Thursday, April 13, with networking starting at 7:30 am and the program starting at 8:30 am Great information will be presented throughout the morning and registration is now open. The theme of this year's summit is much-needed Housing, and more specifically, Obtainable Housing. Housing plays a critical role in the ever-changing landscape of workforce development for Taney County and for addressing labor needs/challenges both regionally and throughout the nation.



- Residential real estate data provided by the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors and Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

- Summary of the 2023 Housing Study update by Amy Haase with RDg Planning and Design

- Our lunch keynote speaker is Wayne Crawford on "Affordable Housing, A Dialogue on the Current Crisis and Shared Solutions"

April 13 | 7:30 am-1:00 pm

Branson Chamber and CVB

4100 Gretna Road

Branson, MO 65616

APRIL MORNING BREW CREW

Rise and shine with Branson Bean Coffee Roasterie! This month's Brew Crew is sponsored by local business owners Steve and Shelly Lane. They offer a wide variety of roasts and will be sharing some with us April 14, 8:30-9:30 am. Brew Crew events are a way for the community to connect in a convenient location while showcasing a local business's unique brews. To RSVP, click the link below!

Friday, April 14 | 8:30-9:30 am

Branson Chamber and CVB

4100 Gretna Road

Branson, MO 65616

TITANIC SHOES FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

In 2023, Titanic Museum Attractions will honor the children aboard the Titanic through “The Year of the Titanic Children” campaign, in which one element are children’s shoes on display. And with this special campaign, the Titanic Museums also wanted to find a way to give back to children in the communities which have supported them throughout the years.



Titanic Museum Attractions has partnered with Samaritan’s Feet to provide new shoes to children throughout Tennessee and Missouri, the home states of the two Titanic Museum Attractions. This partnership will help provide thousands of pairs of shoes, all helping fulfill the goal of Samaritan’s Feet of serving its 10 millionth person this year. The first shoe distribution event will take place Monday, April 10 at the Boys and Girls Club on Bee Creek Road. Click the link below to learn more.

Monday, April 10 | 3:30-5:30 pm

Boys and Girls Club / Ozark Branch

1460 Bee Creek Road

Branson, MO 65616

VOTE FOR SILVER DOLLAR CITY ON USA TODAY

USA Today is running a poll now for the 10 Best Theme Parks in the USA. Silver Dollar City is in the running. These USA Today polls are extremely important to travelers across the USA and are proven to drive incremental visitors to the surrounding communities, hotels, retail, shows, and attractions, gas stations, and more. Each individual can vote daily on every device through April 24 at 11:00 am CST.