HB 495 is a Triumph

Last night, the Missouri Senate passed HB 495, a bill that fulfills the mandate for a safer Missouri that swept Conservatives to victory in 2024. 

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Brad Christ, is a triumph of Conservative leadership.

The headline grabber was always going to be citizen board control for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. 

Crime in St. Louis is out of control. Woke city leadership is more interested in defunding the police than defending them.

That ends now.

Missouri conservatives have prioritized citizen board control for years but it never became a reality. 

The difference this year? Leadership from Governor Kehoe, Rep. Christ, Sen. Schroer, Sen. Fitzwater, and Sen. Luetkemeyer. 

If citizen board control was the only provision, this bill still would have been a massive success. But it’s not.

HB 495 also The bill also creates offenses for stunt driving on public roads, organized retail theft, unlawful traffic interference.

It strengthens laws involving crimes against children.

It addresses the fentanyl crisis.

It requires accurate reporting of crime statistics.

What a win for Missouri. 

Our state will always back the blue!

Andy Bakker

Executive Director
Liberty Alliance USA