Politics
Schnelting previously worked as a legislative assistant in the Missouri House of Representatives. In 2016,he ran in the Republican primary for the 65th house district,though lost to Tom Hannegan. Republican incumbent Kathie Conway was term-limited in 2018 from serving again in the 104th district. Schnelting ran unopposed in the August 2018 primary,then defeated Democrat Peggy Sherwin in the November general election. [5] [6] Schnelting received nearly 12,000 votes and won against Democratic candidate Jessica DeVoto in 2020. [7] Due to state redistricting,Schnelting was moved to District 69, [8] where he again faced DeVoto in the 2022 election,defeating her by a larger margin than in 2020. [9]
Schnelting introduced HJR116,an amendment to the Missouri state constitution authorizing the creation of the Missouri Department of the National Guard,during the 2022 legislative session. [10] The amendment was approved by Missouri voters in the 2022 general election. [11] Prior to the amendment,the Missouri National Guard was a part of the state's Department of Public Safety. [12]
Schnelting also authored,introduced,and passed Missouri's abortion ban. [13] His amendment [14] to HB126 [15] was a "trigger law" designed to go into effect if Roe v. Wade was ever overturned by the US Supreme Court. When the court struck down Roe v. Wade on June 24,2022,the state ban on abortion went into effect. [16]
Schnelting sponsored legislation that some critics say would diminish oversight measures on unlicensed schools placed by HB 557,passed in 2021. [17] Schnelting refuted criticism and said his bill will help resolve a foster care crisis in Missouri by promoting child placement while also ensuring higher oversight of currently unlicensed schools via the new "Child Protection Board" his bill would create. [18] The board would give priority membership to Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Agencies,an association critics say is linked with Agape Boarding School,a private and unlicensed school whose abuse allegations contributed to passage of the 2021 bill. [19] Schnelting also supported HB 557 in 2021. [17] After deliberations,the House Committee on Children and Families overwhelmingly approved Schnelting's measure by a vote of 6–2. [20] [21]
Schnelting has attempted to pass legislation through both House and Senate to allow concealed carry on public transit. The 2024 version of the bill also permitted concealed carry in religious institutions and reduced requirements for concealed carry permits. It succeeded through committee,but was tabled following the 2024 Kansas City parade shooting. [22]
In 2024,Schnelting ran for Missouri State Senate from district 23,winning over three challengers in the Republican primary. [23] He faced Democrat Matt Williams in the general election and won 55–45%. [24]
Legislative assignments
Representative Schnelting serves on the following committees:
- Special Committee on Homeland Security,Chair
- Emerging Issues
- Insurance Policy
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