HB286 — Public hearing opened on the bill; the number was corrected after two misstatements (2086, 2068) to 286.
HB286 — During the public hearing on House Bill 286 (likely a transcription error referring to House Bill 2086), the chair asked whether anyone wished to testify in opposition and then concluded the hearing on the bill.
Steven Roberts — Steven Roberts argued that eliminating implicit-bias training would move the state backward and clarified that his concern was not bias training itself, but a specific webinar that discussed a bill. He said he did not want the conversation to start around the bill and expressed frustration that the issue had been brought forward in this way; another speaker also referenced that Roberts had made the point strongly.
Marlon Anderson — Marlon Anderson expressed disappointment with the bill and said he held the sponsor to a higher standard. He then questioned the bill’s purpose and argued that diversity is needed in the legal profession, citing Missouri Bar data on the number of active lawyers and their racial and ethnic breakdown, including that the profession is overwhelmingly Caucasian. He concluded that these diversity-related courses are necessary.
Marlon Anderson — Representative Anderson was recognized after initially being missed, then called on to proceed and spoke in support of the bill, stating he would vote for it and noting that Louisiana already does this.
David Gregory — Likely the member being addressed in the inquiry about the bill; the transcript says 'Representative Ely,' which appears to be a transcription error, but the speaker is asking about the reason for the bill.
Rudy Veit — He is addressed as the next speaker after the witness's comments on private firms, prosecutors, and ethics credits.
R.N.C. AC, Dino, State Public Advocate — The witness, State Public Advocate Dino R.N.C. AC, opens by identifying himself, then argues that attorneys should treat all clients equally regardless of religion, background, race, sex, or relationship. He says he supports giving attorneys and bar members options rather than imposing a mandate, and concludes by urging that attorneys retain independence and the freedom to choose the educational courses they want to pursue.
Sharon Goway-Jones — Sharon Goway-Jones testified in opposition to the bill on behalf of the state conference of the NAACP. She noted that she is also a registered lobbyist and licensed attorney subject to the requirement at issue, then explained through an example involving female asbestos-related disease clients that implicit-bias training can reveal important questions and considerations in legal practice that might otherwise be missed. In response to a follow-up, she said removing the requirement would be a step backward and that earlier ethics offerings did not adequately address the need the requirement was intended to fill.
Colby Stosberg — Colby Stosberg of the Missouri Attorney General's Office testified in support of HB 2167, explaining that the office wants to commission its investigators internally rather than rely on outside agencies such as the Osage County Sheriff's Office. He said POST standards are important, that internal commissioning would reduce bureaucracy and help the office's process, and that the investigators already meet relevant training expectations. He also noted the office already has law-enforcement system access, but lacks original criminal jurisdiction and generally does not make arrests. The discussion turned to liability and arrest authority, with Stosberg saying the office would typically work with local prosecutors and law enforcement, but that arrest authority could matter in rare field situations for investigator self-protection; he offered to provide examples later if needed.
Michael Davis — The transcript says 'Representative Ely,' but no such member is on the roster; this appears to be a likely transcription error or misidentification.
R.C. AC Dino — R.C. AC Dino, the state public advocate, testified in opposition to House Bill 2167. He argued that the bill gives too much power to the Attorney General, especially through arrest authority, and warned that it could be misused for political sabotage. He also expressed frustration that prior concerns brought to the office were not addressed and concluded by stating he could not support the bill.
David Tyson Smith — David Tyson Smith was first called during roll and marked present. Later, he spoke in opposition to the bill, saying he was shocked by it and criticizing the sponsor, arguing that bias, cultural competency, and diversity are real issues and that Missouri needs such training.
David Tyson Smith — He is the member asking whether the proposal could affect public trust, diversity, and cultural competency.
David Tyson Smith — Asked the witness whether removing the requirement would be a step back from professional development, bias, equity, and cultural awareness priorities.
David Tyson Smith — Representative Smith supported the bill’s cleanup language but focused his questions on the proposed investigator enforcement powers. He expressed concern about giving investigators arrest authority, asked whether they had specialized training, suggested removing the arrest language, and warned about potential abuse in the current climate. He later followed up by asking how the proposed authority would interact with local police and jurisdictional boundaries.
John Black — Called during the roll.
David Dolan — Called during the roll and marked present.
David Dolan — Rep. David Dolan first presented House Bill 2164, explaining that it arose from a judge’s inquiry into a wrongful death case involving terminated parental rights and that he researched how other states handle the issue because Missouri lacked guidance. He described the bill’s purpose and the statutory language addressing beneficiary rights in those cases, then concluded the presentation and took questions. After that hearing segment, he was called back to present House Bill 2167, which he described as a cleanup bill that also adds provisions allowing the Attorney General to commission POST-certified investigators for complex prosecutions when local prosecutors lack resources. He explained the need for the change, answered committee questions about the investigators, and then wrapped up the discussion.
Bill Hardwick — Called during the roll.
Ken Jamison — Called during the roll; transcript appears to render the name as Jameson/Heathley in places.
Matthew Overcast — Matthew Overcast was called during the roll call.
Greg Sharpe — Greg Sharpe was called during roll call and marked present.
Ben Keathley — Ben Keathley is called during roll, identified as the sponsor of the bill, and then introduces himself as Representative Ben Keathley of District 101 in St. Louis County before beginning his explanation of the bill.
Cameron Parker — The committee was called to order by reference to Chair Parker.
Renee Reuter — Called during the roll as Vice Chair Reuter.