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Stricter measure against identity theft is among new laws signed by Gov. Nixon

Gov. Jay Nixon's criticism of the legislature was relatively low key. 5.15.15
Jason Rosenbaum | St. Louis Public Radio | file photo

Gov. Jay Nixon on Monday signed several bills into law, including one designed to prevent identity theft.

Senate Bill 624 makes it a class A misdemeanor to possess stolen credit card information or devises, even if the info or devise has not been used after being stolen.

"Identity theft is a real and growing problem, and that's why I'm pleased the General Assembly came together in a bipartisan way to strengthen our laws in this area," Nixon said in a written statement.  "By criminalizing the possession of stolen credit card information, this bill will provide law enforcement with another tool to hold hackers and identity thieves accountable."

That part of the new law won't take effect until January. But another provision of SB 624 takes effect Aug. 28. It makes stealing from a financial institution a class B felony even if violence was not involved.

Nixon also signed Senate Bill 838 into law Monday, which lets domestic violence victims keep their current cell phone numbers when they open a new wireless service account.  That bill also takes effect Aug. 28.

Other bills Nixon signed on Monday:

House Bill 1443 allows LAGERS (Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System) member political subdivisions to move prior non-LAGERS retirement plans into the LAGERS retirement system … also addresses issues Nixon had in a previous version of the bill that he vetoed.

House Bill 1530 brings Missouri into compliance with federal laws requiring the collection of certain unemployment debt through the Treasury Offset Program and requires 15 percent of any assessed penalty be paid into the Unemployment Compensation Fund.

House Bill 1593 exempts county tax collectors from the 10 percent penalty for untimely distribution of taxes collected if those taxes are subject to a taxpayer protest or disputed assessment.

House Bill 1721 modifies auditing standards of credit unions, making them consistent with federal standards.

Senate Bill 660 changes the amount that banking corporations or associations bidding to become the depositaries of the funds of a county are required to submit to be at least $2,500.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Marshal was a political reporter for St. Louis Public Radio until 2018.