FOCUS on Small Business
Legislative Priorities

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins understands that encouraging the growth of small businesses is the best way to create more jobs and support Missouri’s overall economic growth. She traveled the state to meet with Missouri’s small business owners as part of her "Focus on Small Business" tour to hear first-hand what business owners and operators have to say about the challenges they face and the ideas they have to make government work better. 

The meetings with small business owners provided suggestions that formed the basis of much of Secretary Carnahan’s 2007 legislative package.  Secretary Carnahan’s legislative agenda focuses on commonsense ideas and solutions to promote the growth of Missouri small businesses. Her proposals include:

• Cutting through the red tape associated with starting and maintaining a small business in Missouri by offering optional biennial business filings, reduced online filing fees and an expedited service option to create efficiency and cost savings for businesses.  (House Bill 683; Senate Bill 368)

• Encouraging investment in small businesses by refocusing tax liability risks of Limited Liability Corporations on those actually involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. (House Bill 436; Senate Bill 214)

• Making it easier for small businesses to protect their intellectual property, including their unique name or logo. (House Bill 585)

• Providing victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking a substitute mailing address through the Secretary of State's office. The "Safe At Home" program will keep assailants from using current government documents to locate their victims. (House Bill 610; Senate Bill 372)

Specific bill text may be found at Missouri State Senate website or Missouri State Representative website .