Missouri Senate committee hears bills to create state 'bounty hunter' program; no action taken

This week the Missouri Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee heard two measures related to illegal immigration, including Senate Bill 72, which would establish a state-certified "bounty hunter" program that licensed bail bond agents could join; the committee took no formal action on either bill.

Senator David Gregory of Chesterfield sponsored Senate Bill 72, which the committee was told would create a certified bounty hunter program at the state level. The transcript summary provided by the committee says licensed bail bond agents could sign up for the program.

During committee discussion, Senator Barbara Ann Washington of Kansas City said she saw multiple unknowns in the proposal and questioned how the state would implement or oversee the program. "How do we follow it? We lawyers. If there's no statute, then the judge can't interpret it," Washington said during the discussion.

The committee also heard Senate Bill 58; the transcript notes the panel reviewed both measures but does not record further details of SB58's provisions. According to the transcript, the committee has not yet acted on either SB72 or SB58.

Missouri Senate committee hearings are ongoing; the transcript indicates the Senate's first-floor discussions on legislation could begin next week, but no floor action on these bills was recorded in the committee hearing summary.

Reporting from the state capitol, Dean Morgan.