The Capitol Report | September 20th, 2018

Extraordinary Session Officially Concludes

Legislation that is now on the governor’s desk to be signed into law will encourage more students to take classes that better prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow and expand treatment courts to better serve Missourians battling substance addiction. The bills were passed by the General Assembly during an Extraordinary Session that was called by the governor.

The governor called lawmakers back in for the extra session to reexamine issues covered in two bills he vetoed. HB 2 establishes statewide standards for treatment courts, such as drug and veteran courts. HB 3 promotes STEM awareness and allows high school computer science courses to count toward graduation requirements for math, science, or practical arts credits. The House voted on Wednesday, Sept. 12 to send the bills to the Senate. Two days later, the Senate approved the bills without making any changes to them. This week, the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem signed the bills to send them to the governor for his approval.

HB 2 will consolidate Missouri’s treatment courts – adult treatment court, DWI court, family treatment court, juvenile treatment court, and veterans treatment court – and update state statute to reflect the reality of the treatment court system today. It will allow for the expansion of treatment courts to counties that don’t have them, and it will allow an individual in a county without a treatment court to be transferred to one with a court as long as all parties agree to the transfer. Additionally, the bill will require the Treatment Court Coordinating Commission to establish standards and best practices for treatment courts.

HB 3 will institute a STEM Career Awareness Program for 6th-8th graders designed to promote careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The legislation will also require DESE to develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course for any math, science, or practical arts unit required for high school graduation. The legislation is meant to better prepare tomorrow’s workforce for the many unfilled computer science positions in the technology industry.

The governor announced his call for the extra session on Aug. 30 and legislators worked quickly to pass new versions of the bills that addressed the concerns he cited with his vetoes.  The session’s costs were minimized because it coincided with the constitutionally-mandated Veto Session.

If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please call my office at 573-751-1688 or email me at: jason.chipman@house.mo.gov

You may read in more detail about what is happening at your State Capitol below.

As always, I will work diligently for you as your State Representative.

-Jason

  

Extraordinary Session Officially Concludes

Legislation that is now on the governor’s desk to be signed into law will encourage more students to take classes that better prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow and expand treatment courts to better serve Missourians battling substance addiction. The bills were passed by the General Assembly during an Extraordinary Session that was called by the governor.

The governor called lawmakers back in for the extra session to reexamine issues covered in two bills he vetoed. HB 2 establishes statewide standards for treatment courts, such as drug and veteran courts. HB 3 promotes STEM awareness and allows high school computer science courses to count toward graduation requirements for math, science, or practical arts credits. The House voted on Wednesday, Sept. 12 to send the bills to the Senate. Two days later, the Senate approved the bills without making any changes to them. This week, the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem signed the bills to send them to the governor for his approval.

HB 2 will consolidate Missouri’s treatment courts – adult treatment court, DWI court, family treatment court, juvenile treatment court, and veterans treatment court – and update state statute to reflect the reality of the treatment court system today. It will allow for the expansion of treatment courts to counties that don’t have them, and it will allow an individual in a county without a treatment court to be transferred to one with a court as long as all parties agree to the transfer. Additionally, the bill will require the Treatment Court Coordinating Commission to establish standards and best practices for treatment courts.

HB 3 will institute a STEM Career Awareness Program for 6th-8th graders designed to promote careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The legislation will also require DESE to develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course for any math, science, or practical arts unit required for high school graduation. The legislation is meant to better prepare tomorrow’s workforce for the many unfilled computer science positions in the technology industry.

The governor announced his call for the extra session on Aug. 30 and legislators worked quickly to pass new versions of the bills that addressed the concerns he cited with his vetoes.  The session’s costs were minimized because it coincided with the constitutionally-mandated Veto Session.

District Visits

Last week, I attended an event hosted by the University of Missouri Extension for Phelps County to present their Farm Family Award to Jason and Christy Ford. Congratulations to the Fords!

I also visited the Dillard Mill State Park last week. Staff from the State Parks department were on hand to answer questions from the public about the park. Outside of a couple of minor issues, the park is in pretty good shape. I also got to see my cousin Ryleigh in action as a seasonal worker at the Mill.

On Tuesday, I attended an “Eggs & Issues” meeting hosted by CenturyLink. These informational updates are periodically held around the district and are helpful to share updates and provide an opportunity for questions and gather feedback on important issues.

 

Each year, during the interim, while we are away from the Capitol, I like to travel in or around the 120th District to visit businesses, schools, and other locations. This week, I made a stop at East Central College. Joel Doepker, VP of External Relations, gave me an extensive tour of the college campus and its offerings to students. The main campus in Union sits on over 200 acres and serves students all across east central Missouri. As an alumnus, it was great to see that the college is doing well.

I am committed to serve the constituents of the 120th District, so please feel free to contact my office anytime at 573-751-1688. Your District 120 Capitol Office is 201 W Capitol Ave, Rm 415-B, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you wish to unsubscribe from this report, please email Dylan Bryant at dylan.bryant@house.mo.gov

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The Capitol Report | September 13th, 2018

Veto Session Comes to a Close

Lawmakers traveled to the capital city Wednesday for the annual Veto Session where they had the opportunity to override vetoes made by the governor to various pieces of legislation passed during the regular session. House members used the opportunity to approve motions to override four line-item vetoes made by the governor on budget spending in Fiscal Year 2019. Each override required the support of at least 109 House members, and each received bipartisan support with at least 118 votes.

As the House Budget Chairman Scott Fitzpatrick made the motions to override the governor’s vetoes, he said he wanted to make sure the actions were not perceived as the General Assembly versus the governor. “I want to make it clear that I have a lot of respect for the governor. He came into office in a very turbulent time and did not have much time to review the budget before he had to take action on it. This is simply just trying to correct something that we think was a decision made with not enough information.”

While House members gave their support to overrides of the vetoes on the four appropriations, the Missouri Senate did not attempt to complete the override motions. The Senate Appropriations Chairman told his colleagues the governor has pledged to fund the items through existing budgets or through supplemental spending requests that would happen when the legislature returns in January.

In other news, Missouri recently received a grace period that will allow Missourians to continue using their current forms of identification to fly domestically and enter federal facilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had granted an extension until October 10, 2018, but informed the Missouri Department of Revenue of a new grace period that will run through January 21, 2019.

It was during the 2017 legislative session that Missouri General Assembly approved legislation to allow residents to obtain a photo ID that is compliant with the federal REAL ID Act. Because the current version of the Missouri driver license is not compliant, DHS announced in January of 2016 that Missourians would not be able to enter federal facilities and would not be able to fly domestically beginning in 2018. The federal government has since granted multiple extensions to give Missourians additional months to utilize their existing licenses.

The new licenses that are compliant with the REAL ID Act will not be available until March of 2019. Because of this, the state has applied for an additional extension, which the department expects to be approved, that will allow Missourians to use their existing identification until the new forms of ID are ready.

As the Missouri Department of Revenue Director said in a statement, “Between the grace period that’s now in place and the anticipated extension, Missourians should have no issue using their state-issued driver licenses and ID cards when boarding a domestic flight or for other official purposes after Oct. 10.”

If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please call my office at 573-751-1688 or email me at: jason.chipman@house.mo.gov

You may read in more detail about what is happening at your State Capitol below.

As always, I will work diligently for you as your State Representative.

-Jason

 

 

House Moves to Override Four Budget Vetoes during Annual Veto Session

Lawmakers converged on the capital city Wednesday for the annual Veto Session where they had the opportunity to override vetoes made by the governor to various pieces of legislation passed during the regular session. House members used the opportunity to approve motions to override four line-item vetoes made by the governor on spending items in the Fiscal Year 2019 operating budget. Each override required the support of at least 109 House members, and each received bipartisan support with at least 118 votes.

As he made the motions to override the governor’s vetoes, the House Budget Chairman said he wanted to make sure the actions were not perceived as the General Assembly versus the governor. “I want to make it clear that I have a lot of respect for the governor. He came into office in a very turbulent time and did not have much time to review the budget before he had to take action on it. This is simply just trying to correct something that we think was a decision made with not enough information.”

House members voted to override the governor’s vetoes on the following appropriations:

• $45,000 for the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for a new position to manage grant programs meant to benefit deaf-blind Missourians. The General Assembly approved HB 1696 during the 2016 legislative session to allow the commission to provide the grants. The commission hoped to have the new staff member focus on finance to help the office improve reporting and make data-driven decisions when creating and developing future programs.
• $100,000 for the Office of Child Advocate to fund two positions necessary to fully implement independent reviews of foster care case management concerns. The reviews were authorized by SB 341 that was approved by the General Assembly during the 2015 legislative session. With the two additional positions the office could conduct the reviews authorized by SB 341 while maintaining full caseloads and improving the timeliness of all reviews.
• $153,546 to provide funding and staffing for the Time Critical Diagnosis (TCD) Program that designates hospitals as trauma, stroke, or STEMI centers. The designations are utilized by the ambulance industry so they may transport patients meeting certain criteria to the right hospital to receive the right care at the right time. House members supported restoring the funding for the TCD Program in an effort to prevent patient care from being adversely impacted.
• $487,000 for the State Public Defender System to create a Children’s Defense Team that would work with the state’s juvenile indigent population. The team would be made up of an administrative assistant, an investigator, a legal assistant, and six attorneys. Without the funding kids would continue to go either unrepresented or under-represented, which will often cause them to receive a sentence that is disproportionate to their conduct and increase the likelihood they will commit future offenses. Reports by both the U.S. Department of Justice (2015) and the National Juvenile Defense Center (2013) concluded that Missouri’s juvenile system is in crisis because children are going without adequate representation.

While House members gave their support to overrides of the vetoes on the four appropriations, the Missouri Senate did not attempt to complete the override motions. The Senate Appropriations Chairman told his colleagues the governor has pledged to fund the items through existing budgets or through supplemental spending requests that would happen when the legislature returns in January.

House Approves Legislation to Improve Access to Treatment Courts (HB 2)

Following their work in the annual Veto Session, lawmakers shifted their focus to the Extraordinary Session called by the governor to address two pieces of legislation he vetoed. The first bill passed by the House would expand access to treatment courts with the goal of rehabilitating more Missourians so they can return to being productive members of society.

The legislation would consolidate Missouri’s treatment courts – adult treatment court, DWI court, family treatment court, juvenile treatment court, and veterans treatment court – and update state statute to reflect the reality of the treatment court system today. It would allow for the expansion of treatment courts to counties that don’t have them, and it would allow an individual in a county without a treatment court to be transferred to one with a court as long as all parties agree to the transfer.

Additionally, the bill would require the Treatment Court Coordinating Commission to establish standards and practices for treatment courts, and would require each court to adopt policies and practices that are consistent with the commission’s standards. The standards and practices would be those proven through research to reduce recidivism, save public money and resources, and improve outcomes.

The sponsor of the legislation noted that “Missouri treatment courts have been a great success at changing lives for the better, lowering criminal recidivism rates, saving tax-payer dollars by reducing incarceration, all the while making our communities safer and aiding our citizens in their quest to be more productive and improve their quality of life.” Proponents of the bill added that allowing for existing types of specialized courts to be consolidated under the “treatment court” heading will facilitate communication among judges, prosecutors, and experts in order to solve problems more effectively.

The legislation now awaits approval in the Senate before moving to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

House Approves Legislation to Promote Careers in the STEM Fields (HB 3)

The second bill approved by the Missouri House of Representatives during the Extraordinary Session takes an important step to encourage more young people to pursue career paths in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The legislation (HB 3) is meant to better prepare tomorrow’s workforce for the many unfilled computer science positions in the technology industry. House members gave bipartisan support to the bill and sent it to the Missouri Senate for consideration.

The legislation would institute a STEM Career Awareness Program for 6^th-8^th graders designed to promote careers in these fields. It would introduce students to the STEM careers through an online-based curriculum, and requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to solicit proposals for a provider for the program. Gov. Parson vetoed the bill passed during the regular session because of the criteria for the selection of the provider. The bill passed during the Extraordinary Session provides criteria that meet with the governor’s approval.

The legislation would also require DESE to develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course for any math, science, or practical arts unit required for high school graduation. In addition, it works to support teachers pursuing STEM training and professional development by creating the “Computer Science Education Fund”, and creating a special license endorsement for teachers demonstrating sufficient STEM content knowledge.

Supporters of the bill say it will give all students access to a STEM curriculum, as well as provide a path for teacher certification. Proponents also say the bill will play an important role in preparing a capable workforce for Missouri technology industries.

The bill now requires approval in the Senate before moving to the governor’s desk. Once signed by the governor, the bill will require DESE to have the program in place by the 2019-20 school year.

Real ID Grace Period Granted

Missouri recently received a grace period that will allow Missourians to continue using their current forms of identification to fly domestically and enter federal facilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had granted an extension until October 10, 2018, but informed the Missouri Department of Revenue of a new grace period that will run through January 21, 2019.

It was during the 2017 legislative session that Missouri General Assembly approved legislation to allow residents to obtain a photo ID that is compliant with the federal REAL ID Act. Because the current version of the Missouri driver license is not compliant, DHS announced in January of 2016 that Missourians would not be able to enter federal facilities and would not be able to fly domestically beginning in 2018. The federal government has since granted multiple extensions to give Missourians additional months to utilize their existing licenses.

The new licenses that are compliant with the REAL ID Act will not be available until March of 2019. Because of this, the state has applied for an additional extension, which the department expects to be approved, that will allow Missourians to use their existing identification until the new forms of ID are ready.

As the Missouri Department of Revenue Director said in a statement, “Between the grace period that’s now in place and the anticipated extension, Missourians should have no issue using their state-issued driver licenses and ID cards when boarding a domestic flight or for other official purposes after Oct. 10.”

I am committed to serve the constituents of the 120th District, so please feel free to contact my office anytime at 573-751-1688. Your District 120 Capitol Office is 201 W Capitol Ave, Rm 415-B, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you wish to unsubscribe from this report, please email Dylan Bryant at dylan.bryant@house.mo.gov

 

 

 

The Capitol Report | September 6th, 2018

Governor Calls for Extraordinary Session

As lawmakers prepared to return to Jefferson City for the annual Veto Session, we received news that we will have additional work beyond the annual session. Governor Mike Parson recently announced that he is calling the legislature in for an extraordinary session that is set to begin Monday, Sept. 10. The legislature’s annual Veto Session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 12, which means the two sessions will run concurrently.

The governor called the extraordinary session to address two issues that were previously approved by the General Assembly during the regular session, but vetoed because of issues the governor had with language in each bill. Legislators will return to craft new bills dealing with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and the expansion of drug treatment courts.

As currently written, the STEM education will require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to establish an online program to educate students about STEM careers, and allow for multiple companies to bid to provide the program. Passing the bill during an extraordinary session is necessary to allow DESE to start the process of implementing it for the 2019-2020 school year. The language was originally contained in SBs 894 & 921, which the governor vetoed because the criteria for bidders for the program were too narrowly tailored.

The other bill to be considered focuses on reforms to treatment courts throughout the state. The bill is meant to improve the quality and consistency of treatment courts throughout Missouri by establishing treatment court divisions and giving local courts the authority and flexibility to set their own policies for treatment courts. The expansion of treatment courts in Missouri will allow for more individuals to get treatment rather than be incarcerated in an already overcrowded prison system. The treatment court language was originally passed by the legislature in HB 2562. The governor vetoed the bill because of some other language it contained.

If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please call my office at 573-751-1688 or email me at: jason.chipman@house.mo.gov

You may read in more detail about what is happening at your State Capitol below.

As always, I will work diligently for you as your State Representative.

-Jason

 

 

2018 Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed Bills

This week, I will complete the summaries of the Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this past legislative session.

SB 802 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to women’s and minority business enterprises

This act permits the Commissioner of Administration to designate a non-profit organization as a minority business enterprise or a women’s business enterprise for the exclusive purpose of competing in other states.

SB 806 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions regarding when a deceased person owes money to the state and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings

The act specifies that debt owed to the state for medical assistance shall be sixth in the list of priority of claims paid from the estate of the deceased.

SB 807 (Signed by Governor: 7/9/18) – Modifies provisions relating to higher education

The act states that the application of the laws pertaining to state purchases do not apply to public institutions of higher education. Also, this act includes my language requiring any student attending a public institution of higher education in the state to score at least 70% on the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination as a condition of graduation. The exam shall consist of 50 to 100 questions similar to the questions in the United States citizenship exam.

SB 814 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to driver’s licenses for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing

This act requires the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to make an informational video in American Sign Language explaining deaf or hard of hearing license notations. A QR code linking to the video shall be posted conspicuously in every license office in the state.

SB 819 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions of law relating to the protection of children

This act modifies provisions relating to the protection of children, including: (1) the Social Innovation Grant Program; (2) physician referrals of children exposed to drugs or alcohol; (3) vital records; (4) immunizations; (5) the Missouri Children’s Service Commission; (5) assessment and treatment services and case management; (6) the “Supporting and Strengthening Families Act”; (7) records of child abuse and neglect investigations; (8) foster care background checks; among others.

SB 826 (Signed by Governor: 7/9/18) – Modifies provisions relating to health care

Currently, patients may request copies of health history or treatment records from providers. This act specifies that a response to such request may include a statement or record that no such health history or treatment record responsive to the request exists.

SB 840 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to professional registration

This act requires certain oversight bodies, as defined in the act, that issue professional licenses to grant a Missouri license to an applicant that holds a current, valid license issued by another state and waive any examination, educational, or experience requirements for licensure, if that state’s licensure requirements are substantially similar to those of Missouri.

SB 843 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies the composition, duties or repeals outright certain administrative boards, commissions, and councils

This act decreases the membership on the Missouri State Capitol Commission from eleven to nine members, by requiring the Governor to appoint two, rather than four, members of the general public. The membership of the Commission is also modified so that the minority leaders of the House and Senate will appoint the minority party members of the Commission

SB 862 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to electrical contractors

Electrical contractors who have an occupational or business license for work as an electrical contractor or master electrician issued by any political subdivision in this state shall be eligible for a statewide license if the applicant meets certain requirements as set forth in the act.

SB 870 (Signed by Governor: 7/9/18) – Modifies provisions of law relating to emergency medical services

This act provides that when a law enforcement agency requests assistance from another law enforcement agency under a mutual aid agreement, any law enforcement officer assisting the requesting agency is afforded the same powers of arrest they would have in their own jurisdiction and the same powers of arrest as officers of the requesting entity.

SB 871 (Signed by Governor: 6/29/18) – Modifies provisions relating to orders of protection for a child, circuit clerks being named a party in expungement proceedings, court reporter fees, service of process after the expiration of the statute of limitations, and judicial positions

Under current law the court may immediately issue an ex parte order of protection for a child upon a finding that no prior order regarding custody is pending. This act adds that the prior order regarding custody that is pending must involve the respondent and the child.

SB 881 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Modifies provisions of law relating to transportation

The act specifies that the term “contiguous and compact” as used in local government annexation laws includes situations whereby the unincorporated area proposed to be annexed would be contiguous and compact with existing city, town, or village limits if not for an intervening highway or railroad right-of-way. If an objection is made, land to be annexed under this definition must share a border with the city, town, or village which is at least 15% of the total perimeter of the land to be annexed.

SB 882 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Modifies provisions of the Missouri Higher Education Savings Program

This act modifies the Missouri Higher Education Savings Program to allow 529 MOST account holders to transfer money from such account to a Missouri ABLE account while retaining tax exempt status on any money transferred.

SB 884 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Modifies provisions relating to taxation

This act provides that when an income bracket is eliminated from the tax table, the top remaining tax rate shall apply to all income in excess of the second highest remaining income bracket. Also, this act creates a definition for “net general revenue collected”, which includes all revenue deposited into the general revenue fund, less refunds and revenues originally deposited into the general revenue fund but designated by law for a specific distribution or transfer to another state fund.

SB 891 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Designates the week beginning the second Saturday in October as “Buy Missouri Week”

This act designates the week beginning the second Saturday in October of every year as “Buy Missouri Week.” Citizens of the state are encouraged to observe the week with appropriate activities to support the men and women who create, produce, grow, manufacture, distribute, promote, and sell goods made in Missouri

SB 892 (Signed by Governor: 7/05/18) – Modifies provisions relating to various retirement plans for public employees

This act allows any teacher retired from the Public School Employee Retirement System of Missouri (PSRS) to be employed in a position covered under the Public Education Employee Retirement System (PEERS) without stopping their retirement benefit. Such retired teacher may earn up to 60% of the minimum teacher’s salary as set forth in Missouri statute and shall not contribute to PEERS or earn creditable service.
SB 894 (Vetoed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Modifies provisions relating to education curriculum involving science and technology

Subject to appropriation, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall create the “STEM Career Awareness Program” to increase STEM career awareness among students in grades six through eight. The statewide program shall introduce students to a wide variety of STEM careers and technology through an online-based STEM curriculum. Before January 1, 2019, DESE shall solicit proposals and select a provider for the online program using specified criteria or choose a third-party nonprofit entity to implement the program, solicit proposals, and select a provider.

SB 907 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Authorizes the conveyance of a certain state propertie

This act authorizes the conveyance of certain state properties located in Jefferson City, Independence, St. Louis, Mack’s Creek, Butler County, Ste. Genevieve County, and Cole County.

SB 917 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Modifies provisions relating to coal ash

Currently, all fly ash produced by coal combustion generating facilities located in Kansas City is exempt from all solid waste permitting requirements. This act repeals this exemption. This act gives the Department of Natural Resources the authority to promulgate rules for the management, closure, and post-closure of coal combustion residual (CCR) units. Under this act, “CCR unit” means a surface impoundment, utility waste landfill, or a CCR landfill.

SB 951 (Signed by Governor: 7/09/18) – Modifies provisions relating to health care

This act modifies provisions relating to health care, including: (1) Diabetes Awareness Month; (2) Show-Me Freedom from Opioid Addiction Decade; (3) health care records; (4) telehealth; (5) disposal of unused controlled substances; (6) hospital regulations; (7) long-term care certificates of need; (8) Department of Mental Health contracts; (9) newborn eye drops; (10) assistant physicians; (11) collaborative practice and supervisory agreements; (12) psychologists; (13) patient satisfaction scores; (14) health insurance coverage; among others.

SB 954 (Signed by Governor: 6/29/18) – Allows individuals found guilty of certain offenses of unlawful use of a weapon to expunge such record
This act allows individuals found guilty of the offense of unlawful use of a weapon by the carrying of a concealed weapon prior to January 1, 2017, to apply for an order to expunge records relating to such offense.

SB 981 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Modifies provisions relating to methods of self-insurance for workers’ compensation
Under current law, the Division of Workers’ Compensation is required to develop a notice relating to workers’ compensation laws that employers are required to post on their premises. This act provides that such notice must be posted on the website of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

SB 982 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Enacts provisions relating to insurance

This act provides that when a health benefit plan does not provide for payment to out-of-network providers for all or most services that are covered if provided in-network, including HMO plans and exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans, payment for all services shall be made directly to the health care providers when the health carrier has authorized for such services to be received from an out-of-network provider.

SB 990 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Modifies provisions relating to the attachment of school districts to community college districts

Under current law, in order for a school district to become attached to a community college district, a petition must be submitted to the school board of the school district signed either by voters of the district equal in number to ten percent of those voting in the last school election at which school board members were elected or by a majority of the voters of the district, at which point an election must be called. This act provides that a community college district may, by a majority vote of its board of trustees, propose a plan to the voters of the school district to attach the school district to the community college district, levy a tax rate equal to the rate applicable to the community college district at the time of the vote of the board of trustees, and call an election upon the question of such plan.

SB 999 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Designates certain memorial infrastructure

This act designates the portion of Interstate 70 from Rangeline Street continuing west to Business Loop 70 in Boone County the “Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway”. Additionally, this act designates the portion of Interstate 70 from the eastern edge of the intersection of U.S. Highway 63 and Interstate 70 continuing west to Rangeline Street in Boone County the “Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway”.

SB 1007 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Modifies the merit system

Under current law, with the exception of attorneys, all offices, positions, and employees within numerous state departments and agencies are subject to the SPL. This act modifies that so that the SPL only applies to employees in eleemosynary or penal institutions and employees in agencies that are required to maintain merit standards by federal law or regulations for grant-in-aid programs.

SCR 36 (Signed by Governor: 7/09/18) – Designates the month of August as Shingles Awareness and Prevention Month

This concurrent resolution designates every August as Shingles Awareness and Prevention Month.

SCR 40 (Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed: 5/17/18) –Applies to Congress for the calling of an Article V convention of states to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution regarding term limits for members of Congress

This concurrent resolution applies to the United States Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the United States Constitution, for the calling of a convention of the states for the limited purpose of proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution regarding term limits for members of Congress.

SCR 49 (Signed by Governor: 5/24/18) – Moves referendum election date for SS#2/SB 19

Through the referendum process, a petition has been approved that has ordered an election on the enactment of Senate Substitute #2 for Senate Bill 19, to be held on November 6, 2018. Pursuant to Article III, Section 52(b) of the Missouri Constitution, this resolution moves the date of the election to August 7, 2018.

SCR 50 (Vetoed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Requests the U.S. Congress to replace the statue of Thomas Hart Benton in the Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol with a statue of Harry S Truman

This concurrent resolution requests approval from the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to replace the statue of Thomas Hart Benton with a statue of Harry S Truman in the Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol.

SRB 975 (Signed by Governor: 6/01/18) – Repeals expired, ineffective, and obsolete statutory provisions

This act repeals specified expired, ineffective and obsolete statutory provisions, including obsolete references to the Department of Natural Resources based on departmental reorganization, and more.

 

I am committed to serve the constituents of the 120th District, so please feel free to contact my office anytime at 573-751-1688. Your District 120 Capitol Office is 201 W Capitol Ave, Rm 415-B, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you wish to unsubscribe from this report, please email Dylan Bryant at dylan.bryant@house.mo.gov

The Capitol Report | August 30th, 2018

New Transparency Website & New Laws

A new transparency website launched by the Missouri State Treasurer will give Missourians access to important information about government finances. The treasurer’s office says the new website, ShowMeCheckbook.mo.gov, is one of the most comprehensive state government financial data portals in the country.

The website was launched to help provide Missourians with access to state financial data that has been difficult to find and analyze in the past. In April of last year the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) gave Missouri a D+ grade for financial transparency. Show-Me Checkbook is meant to be an important step in increasing transparency.

Also, I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will continue with Senate bills.

SB 660 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Current law permits the Department of Social Services to enter into contracts with an entity for the provision of the medical insurance information of certain persons applying for or receiving MO HealthNet benefits. Under this act, the Department of Mental Health may enter into such contracts for the medical insurance information of persons receiving Department of Mental Health services.

SB 683 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – This act provides that the Highways and Transportation Commission shall issue single-use special permits for or upon request of the equipment owner annual permits for the transportation of cranes.

SB 687 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Under this act, school districts may, by majority vote of the board, allocate less than 1% of formula money but no less than .5% when such district is appropriated less than 25% of the allowable costs of providing pupil transportation under the school foundation formula.

SB 705 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Allows water corporations with more than 8,000 customers to make an application to the Public Service Commission to approve rate schedules outside of a general rate proceeding to ensure that revenues billed for services equal the revenue requirement for such services due to changes in customer usage.

SB 707 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Increases, from $25,000 to $50,000, the bond required for licensure as a motor vehicle dealer.

SB 708 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Increases, from ten thousand dollars to twenty-five thousand dollars, the minimum motor vehicle liability coverage a person must carry for others’ property when operating a motor vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law.

SB 718 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – The act designates the month of November as Diabetes Awareness Month.

SB 743 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, this act changes the requirement to a minimum of 1,044 hours of actual pupil attendance with no minimum number of required school days except for kindergarten pupils who shall be provided a minimum of 522 hours of actual pupil attendance with no minimum number of days.

If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please call my office at 573-751-1688 or email me at: jason.chipman@house.mo.gov

You may read in more detail about what is happening at your State Capitol below.

As always, I will work diligently for you as your State Representative.

-Jason

 

 

 

Missouri Takes Action to Provide Farmers with Drought Relief

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has mobilized state resources to help Missourians battling drought conditions throughout the state. Parson recently announced both a program to provide water to family farms and a lottery for farmers to obtain adequate livestock feed.

It was on July 18 that the governor issued an executive order declaring a drought alert for 47 Missouri counties. A month later, every county in Missouri has been impacted by the dry conditions, and the number of counties considered to be in drought alert has risen to 86. In an effort to help with the drought, the departments of Natural Resources, Conservation, and Agriculture and others are working together to provide information and resources to those impacted by the drought conditions.

The relief efforts taken by the governor will provide up to 5,000 gallons of water per family farm per day. The water is not for resale and is for the needs of livestock only. The water will be available at 28 Department of Conservation areas and five Department of Natural Resources state parks, and farmers will need to provide their own pumping and hauling equipment. Anyone interested in making arrangements to pump water can call 573-751-4115, ext. 3209.

To help provide adequate livestock feed for farmers, nearly 900 acres of state park grasslands will be made available to mow and harvest as hay. Anyone who is interested in participating in the drought assistance hay program may apply for access to any of the state park haying locations listed below. A lottery system will be used to randomly select one winner from the list of applicants for each location. The lottery for haying at Missouri State Parks is now open and runs through Saturday, August 25. The Department of Natural Resources will announce lottery results on Monday, August 27. Additional details are available at https://mostateparks.com/.

Further information, along with maps showing locations for the pumping of water and for haying, are available at https://dnr.mo.gov/droughtresources.htm. Missourians can also visit the Department of Natural Resources drought website for information about drought conditions, agriculture and drinking water assistance, and resources at https://dnr.mo.gov/drought.htm.

New Government Transparency Website Goes Live

A new transparency website launched by the Missouri State Treasurer will give Missourians access to important information about government finances. The treasurer’s office says the new website, ShowMeCheckbook.mo.gov, is one of the most comprehensive state government financial data portals in the country.

State Treasurer Eric Schmitt said, “Unfortunately in the past the state has not provided adequate tools for accessing information about state finances. Show-Me Checkbook gives greater access to state finances by creating a one-stop-shop for information on state spending, revenue, payroll, debt and cash flow. Missourians have a right to see how their money is being spent and managed in Jefferson City and Show-Me Checkbook lets them do just that.”

The website was launched to help provide Missourians with access to state financial data that has been difficult to find and analyze in the past. In April of last year the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) gave Missouri a D+ grade for financial transparency. Show-Me Checkbook is meant to be an important step in increasing transparency.

The treasurer’s office said Show-Me Checkbook was designed to be user-friendly while maintaining the unprecedented depth of data exploration available through its interface. Government accounting experts and data analysts contributed to the review of the portal to ensure an accurate reflection of accounting standards.

According to PIRG, websites like Show-Me Checkbook can result in significant cost-savings for states that launch them. Texas saved an estimated $163 million as a result of a similar project, and North Carolina credits their website with leading to a comprehensive reform of their state purchasing laws. Treasurer Schmitt is encouraging citizen watchdogs who find interesting or concerning data trends through Show-Me Checkbook to contact his office through the submission link that appears on the bottom of each page of the website.

2018 Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed Bills

I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will continue with Senate bills.

SB 660 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies the law relating to mental health

Current law permits the Department of Social Services to enter into contracts with an entity for the provision of the medical insurance information of certain persons applying for or receiving MO HealthNet benefits. Such information is limited to those insurance benefits that could have been claimed and paid by an insurance policy or are otherwise covered by MO HealthNet. Under this act, the Department of Mental Health may enter into such contracts for the medical insurance information of persons receiving Department of Mental Health services.

SB 683 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to the transportation of construction cranes

This act provides that the Highways and Transportation Commission shall issue single-use special permits for or upon request of the equipment owner annual permits for the transportation of cranes. The Commission shall also set parameters for the transportation of cranes under this act.

SB 687 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to student transportation

Currently, school districts are required to allocate 1% of moneys received under the school foundation formula to the professional development committee of the district. Under this act, school districts may, by majority vote of the board, allocate less than 1% but no less than .5% when such district is appropriated less than 25% of the allowable costs of providing pupil transportation under the school foundation formula. A school district may appropriate money in such manner until the end of fiscal year 2024.

SB 705 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to rate adjustments outside of general rate proceedings for certain public utilities

This act allows water corporations with more than 8,000 customers to make an application to the Public Service Commission to approve rate schedules outside of a general rate proceeding to ensure that revenues billed for services equal the revenue requirement for such services due to changes in customer usage.

SB 707 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions relating to vehicle sales

The act increases, from $25,000 to $50,000, the bond required for licensure as a motor vehicle dealer. This act also requires motor vehicle dealer license applicants to submit their regular business hours, and a phone number and email address where the applicant can be contacted during regular business hours.

SB 708 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicle financial responsibility

This act increases, from ten thousand dollars to twenty-five thousand dollars, the minimum motor vehicle liability coverage a person must carry for others’ property when operating a motor vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law. The act similarly amends a statute requiring minimum coverage limits for state-controlled motor vehicles, aircraft, and marine vessels.

SB 718 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions relating to health care

The act designates the month of November as Diabetes Awareness Month.

SB 743 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education

Currently, public schools are required to be in session for a minimum of 174 days and 1,044 hours a year. Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, this act changes the requirement to a minimum of 1,044 hours of actual pupil attendance with no minimum number of required school days except for kindergarten pupils who shall be provided a minimum of 522 hours of actual pupil attendance with no minimum number of days.

SB 768 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies several provisions relating to the taxation of telecommunications companies

Beginning January 1, 2019, this act allows telephone companies to make a one-time election of whether to have their property assessed in the same manner as railroads, as in current law, or in the same manner as railroads for property consisting of land and buildings and under a depreciation schedule for all other forms of property, as described in the act.

SB 769 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions relating to financial transactions by public entities

Under current law, the State Treasurer and the Treasurer of the City of St. Louis are limited in the types of securities they may require as collateral from banks or financial institutions selected and approved for the safekeeping and payment of deposits. This act adds brokered or negotiable certificates of deposit that are fully insured by the FDIC or the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund to the collateral list.

SB 773 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions relating to taxation

This act extends the date by which a local taxing jurisdiction shall place a question on the ballot regarding the repeal of a local sales tax on certain motor vehicles purchased from out-of-state dealers from November 2018 to November 2022.

SB 775 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Extends the sunset on certain healthcare provider reimbursement allowance taxes and modifies the hospital reimbursement allowance tax

This act extends the sunsets from September 30, 2018, to September 30, 2019, for the Ground Ambulance, Nursing Facility, Medicaid Managed Care Organization, Hospital, Pharmacy, and Intermediate Care Facility for the Intellectually Disabled Reimbursement Allowance Taxes.

SB 782 (Signed by Governor: 6/22/18) – Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Natural Resources

This act requires the Division of State Parks within the Department of Natural Resources to maintain the fence coinciding with the boundary between individual landowner property and the historic Missouri Rock Island railroad corridor, with costs being paid by the State Park Earnings Fund. Nothing in this act shall be construed to require an individual landowner to locate a fence on his or her own property.

SB 793 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to court proceedings

Under current law, children who are 17 years of age are prosecuted for criminal offenses in courts of general jurisdiction. This act provides that, unless the child is certified as an adult or is being prosecuted for a traffic or curfew violation, children who are 17 years of age must be prosecuted in the juvenile court system. The expanded service of the juvenile court system shall not be effective until sufficient funds are appropriated.

SB 800 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to juvenile court proceedings

Under current law, any order or judgment entered by a court concerning child protection takes precedence over any previous court order concerning the status or custody of a child for as long as the new court order remains in effect. This act adds orders of guardianships to the list of prior orders concerning the status or custody of a child over which a new court order shall take precedence.

I am committed to serve the constituents of the 120th District, so please feel free to contact my office anytime at 573-751-1688. Your District 120 Capitol Office is 201 W Capitol Ave, Rm 415-B, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you wish to unsubscribe from this report, please email Dylan Bryant at dylan.bryant@house.mo.gov

 

 

The Capitol Report | August 23rd, 2018

Missouri Unemployment Rates Drop Again

Missouri received good news last week as the state’s unemployment rate hit its lowest point in nearly two decades. Data released by the Missouri Department of Economic Development showed the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent in July. This rate is the lowest the state has seen since June 2000.

Overall, the state’s employment levels have been on an upward trend. Missouri saw an increase of 8,800 jobs between May and July. The state has also seen an increase of 34,700 jobs since July 2017. Health care and social assistance employment saw an increase of 10,900 jobs. Durable goods manufacturing added 5,600 jobs.  Arts, entertainment and recreation; retail trade; and administrative, support, and waste management services each added between 3,500 and 4,000 jobs over the year.

Also, I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will continue with Senate bills.

SB 627 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Provides that urban and community gardens, as defined in the act, shall be classified as agricultural and horticultural property for the purposes of property taxation. Urban and community gardens shall be graded as grade #4 under the rule promulgated by the State Tax Commission for establishing land values for agricultural land.

SB 629 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Current law caps the annual amount of new state revenues that may be appropriated to the Missouri Supplemental Tax Increment Financing Fund for redevelopment projects at $32 million. This act excludes from this cap any plan or project involving a health information technology employer employing over 7,000 employees in the state which is estimated to create in excess of 15,000 new jobs with an average annual wage of more than $75,000, and that is listed by name in an appropriations bill.

SB 644 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Under this act, any person who enters into an agreement to recover or assist in the recovery of unclaimed property for compensation who has not registered with the State Treasurer for such purpose shall be guilty of an infraction for a first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for all subsequent offenses.

SB 652 (Signed by Governor: 6/29/18) – Establishes that a sheriff may hire an under sheriff or deputy sheriff who is a resident of an adjoining state.

SB 655 (Signed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Increases the minimum age for marriage from 15 to 16 years, modifies the sex offender registry system, and eliminates the statute of limitations for sexual offenses committed against minors.

SB 659 (Signed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, regarding the maintenance, repair, and construction at state parks and historic sites.

If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please call my office at 573-751-1688 or email me at: jason.chipman@house.mo.gov

You may read in more detail about what is happening at your State Capitol below.

As always, I will work diligently for you as your State Representative.

-Jason

 

 

 

Missouri Continues to See Low Unemployment and Healthy Job Growth

Missouri received good news last week as the state’s unemployment rate hit its lowest point in nearly two decades. Data released by the Missouri Department of Economic Development showed the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent in July. This rate is the lowest the state has seen since June 2000.

The July unemployment rate is down from 3.5 percent in June and is also lower than the 3.6 percent unemployment rate for June 2017. The state’s unemployment rate has decreased from the 3.7 percent level at the beginning of the year. Missouri’s rate has now been lower than the comparable U.S. rate, which is currently 3.9 percent, for 39 consecutive months.

Overall, the state’s employment levels have been on an upward trend. Missouri saw an increase of 8,800 jobs between May and July. The state has also seen an increase of 34,700 jobs since July 2017. Health care and social assistance employment saw an increase of 10,900 jobs. Durable goods manufacturing added 5,600 jobs.  Arts, entertainment and recreation; retail trade; and administrative, support, and waste management services each added between 3,500 and 4,000 jobs over the year.

Encouraging Agriculture Investment with the Missouri FIRST Initiative

As the Missouri State Fair promotes excellence in Missouri agriculture and raises awareness of the importance of the agriculture industry, the state continues to work to increase agriculture investments. The Missouri State Treasurer was on hand at the fair to talk about the Missouri FIRST initiative and the role it has played in increasing investment in agriculture through the state’s linked deposit program.

The Missouri FIRST (Financing Investment in our Rural, Small Business and Technology communities) initiative revamped the state’s linked deposit program, which partners with local lenders to provide low-interest financing to small businesses and agricultural operations. The program helps farmers by making production, land acquisition, livestock costs and other ventures more affordable. Missouri FIRST was launched in March, and has seen the total volume of active agriculture linked deposits rise from $29.3 million to $69.3 million since its inception.

“The Missouri FIRST initiative has enabled us to better prioritize rural economic development and the agriculture industry. Economic growth, less red tape and increased accessibility have led to a stronger linked deposit program with greater investment in Main Street and rural Missouri,” said State Treasurer Eric Schmitt.

The Missouri State Treasurer’s Office works with local lending institutions to facilitate Missouri FIRST loans. There are approximately 115 qualified Missouri FIRST linked deposit lenders with 350 branches throughout the state. A list of lenders and program eligibility guidelines can be found online at MOFIRST.mo.gov.

2018 Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed Bills

I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will continue with Senate bills.

SB 627 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to agriculture

This act provides that urban and community gardens, as defined in the act, shall be classified as agricultural and horticultural property for the purposes of property taxation. Urban and community gardens shall be graded as grade #4 under the rule promulgated by the State Tax Commission for establishing land values for agricultural land.

A taxpayer may apply to the county assessor, or, if not located within a county, then the assessor of such city, if the use or purpose of the taxpayer’s real property has changed the subclass under which the real property is classified. If the assessor determines that the property shall be reclassified, he or she shall determine the assessment based on the percentage of the tax year that such property was classified in each subclassification.

SB 629 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to tax increment financing

Current law caps the annual amount of new state revenues that may be appropriated to the Missouri Supplemental Tax Increment Financing Fund for redevelopment projects under the Real Property Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act at $32 million. This act excludes from this cap any plan or project involving a health information technology employer employing over 7,000 employees in the state which is estimated to create in excess of 15,000 new jobs with an average annual wage of more than $75,000, and that is listed by name in an appropriations bill.

SB 644 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Creates new provisions relating to unclaimed property

Under this act, any person who enters into an agreement to recover or assist in the recovery of unclaimed property for compensation who has not registered with the State Treasurer for such purpose shall be guilty of an infraction for a first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for all subsequent offenses. Furthermore, the Treasurer is permitted to prohibit the registration of any person convicted of violating this provision.

SB 652 (Signed by Governor: 6/29/18) – Modifies provisions relating to county sheriffs

This act establishes that a sheriff may hire an under sheriff or deputy sheriff who is a resident of an adjoining state. This act also specifies that the office of the sheriff of the City of St. Louis is a law enforcement agency, and that the sheriff and sworn deputies of that office are to be considered law enforcement officers who may be eligible for training and licensure by the peace officer standards and training (POST) commission.

SB 655 (Signed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Increases the minimum age for marriage from 15 to 16 years, modifies the sex offender registry system, and eliminates the statute of limitations for sexual offenses committed against minors

Under current law, no recorder shall issue a marriage license authorizing the marriage of a person under 15 without a court order for good cause shown. This act raises the minimum age of marriage to 16 and removes the discretion for the court to issue a license to anyone under the minimum age. Additionally, no license shall be issued for the marriage of a person 21 years or older if the other party is less than 17 years of age. Applicants for a marriage license shall provide proof of age to the recorder in the form of a certified copy of a birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued identification.

SB 659 (Signed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Natural Resources

This act requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, regarding the maintenance, repair, and construction at state parks and historic sites. The report shall include certain information as set forth in this act. Also, this act gives the Department of Natural Resources the authority to promulgate rules for the management, closure, and post-closure of coal combustion residual (CCR) units.

VisitMO Monthly Newsletter

Explore the Show-Me State! The Missouri Division of Tourism invites you to discover everything our beautiful state has to offer in-state, national, and international travelers. From our big cities to the treasures found in your own communities, VisitMO.com gives visitors guidance for their first – or latest – trip via our monthly newsletter.

Discover ideal destinations for family fun; tips on exploring our arts and culture, including the best in dining. Plan a night on the town with informative articles on entertainment, sports and nightlife in the Show-Me State. Let our experts guide you to your next outdoor adventure and suggest trip ideas to match your interests.

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I am committed to serve the constituents of the 120th District, so please feel free to contact my office anytime at 573-751-1688. Your District 120 Capitol Office is 201 W Capitol Ave, Rm 415-B, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you wish to unsubscribe from this report, please email Dylan Bryant at dylan.bryant@house.mo.gov

The Capitol Report | August 16th, 2018

New Laws: Insurance, Virtual Schools, Foreclosures

Missouri voters went to the polls in larger-than-usual numbers last week. Unofficial numbers released by the Missouri Secretary of State indicate that approximately 33.5 percent of the state’s 4.1 million registered voters made their voices heard on Election Day. That number is up significantly from both the August 2014 and August 2016 primaries, which saw voter turnout at roughly 25 percent.

Also, I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will move on to Senate bills.

SB 594 (Signed by Governor: 6/22/18) –exempts certain lines and endorsements of commercial insurance from requirements to file rates, rate plans, modifications, and manuals with the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration, and specifies that filings for other commercial lines and endorsements shall be filed for informational purposes within 10 days of their use.

SB 598 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Requires that the Department of Transportation utility corridor be up to 12 feet wide, with the location of such corridor determined by the State Highways and Transportation Commission. This act also requires the Commission to promulgate rules setting forth a system for requesting and issuing variances to requirements.

SB 603 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Changes the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MOVIP) to “The Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program” and allows any eligible student to enroll in program courses of his or her choice to be paid by the school district or charter school, if the student has been enrolled full-time in a public school, including a public charter school, for at least one semester immediately prior to enrolling in the program, and the course is approved by the student’s school district or charter school through a procedure described in the act.

SB 608 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Under current law a land owner is not liable for the death or injury of a trespasser, when the trespasser is substantially impaired by alcohol or illicit controlled substances, unless the land owner acted with negligence or willful and wanton misconduct. This act removes that the property owner may be held liable when he or she acts with negligence.

SB 623 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Under current law, any surplus proceeds from a foreclosure sale of real estate are placed in the county treasury, for a term of three years, in trust for the publicly recorded owner of the property at the time of the delinquent land tax auction. This act modifies that provision such that surplus funds shall be distributed first to any recorded lien holders prior to being distributed to the owner. If after three years any funds have not been distributed such funds shall become a permanent school fund for the county.

If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please call my office at 573-751-1688 or email me at: jason.chipman@house.mo.gov

You may read in more detail about what is happening at your State Capitol below.

As always, I will work diligently for you as your State Representative.

 -Jason

 

 

2018 Primary Election Sees Healthy Voter Turnout

Missouri voters went to the polls in larger-than-usual numbers last week. Unofficial numbers released by the Missouri Secretary of State indicate that approximately 33.5 percent of the state’s 4.1 million registered voters made their voices heard on Election Day. That number is up significantly from both the August 2014 and August 2016 primaries, which saw voter turnout at roughly 25 percent.

Despite the higher turnout, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft issued a statement urging more registered voters to participate in the process going forward. “While more voters went to the polls yesterday, there are still many who did not. I urge all eligible Missourians to participate in our democratic process and vote. If you’re not registered, there’s time to do so before the November general election — the deadline to register is Oct. 10, 2018. Contact your local election authority or visit www.sos.mo.gov to register, and most importantly, make your voice heard on Election Day,” said Ashcroft.

2018 Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed Bills

I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will move on to Senate bills.

SB 594 (Signed by Governor: 6/22/18) – Exempts certain types of commercial insurance lines from filing requirements with respect to rates, rate plans, modifications, and manuals

This act exempts certain lines and endorsements of commercial insurance from requirements to file rates, rate plans, modifications, and manuals with the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration, and specifies that filings for other commercial lines and endorsements shall be filed for informational purposes within 10 days of their use.

SB 598 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Transportation utility corridor

This act requires that the Department of Transportation utility corridor be up to 12 feet wide, with the location of such corridor determined by the State Highways and Transportation Commission. This act also requires the Commission to promulgate rules setting forth a system for requesting and issuing variances to requirements.

SB 603 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to virtual education

This act changes the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MOVIP) to “The Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program” and allows any eligible student to enroll in program courses of his or her choice to be paid by the school district or charter school, if the student has been enrolled full-time in a public school, including a public charter school, for at least one semester immediately prior to enrolling in the program, and the course is approved by the student’s school district or charter school through a procedure described in the act.

SB 608 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions regarding sovereign immunity and the liability of property owners when criminal conduct occurs on the property

Under current law a land owner is not liable for the death or injury of a trespasser, when the trespasser is substantially impaired by alcohol or illicit controlled substances, unless the land owner acted with negligence or willful and wanton misconduct. This act removes that the property owner may be held liable when he or she acts with negligence.

SB 623 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to foreclosure proceeds

Under current law, any surplus proceeds from a foreclosure sale of real estate are placed in the county treasury, for a term of three years, in trust for the publicly recorded owner of the property at the time of the delinquent land tax auction. This act modifies that provision such that surplus funds shall be distributed first to any recorded lien holders prior to being distributed to the owner. If after three years any funds have not been distributed such funds shall become a permanent school fund for the county. Furthermore, the term for which the proceeds shall stay in the county treasury is modified to be the lesser of 3 years or 90 days following the expiration of the redemption period.

District Visit

I had a great time today reading to kids at the brand new Scenic Regional Library branch in Sullivan. Thank you to Kecia Philpot, Children’s Programmer, Scenic Regional Library, for the invite.

The 10,000 sq. ft. facility features a 1,000 sq. ft. public meeting room, programming space, teen and children’s areas that feature a Xbox One, a Lego table, magnet walls, a 55-inch touch screen tablet, and much more. Be sure to stop by and check it all out.

I am committed to serve the constituents of the 120th District, so please feel free to contact my office anytime at 573-751-1688. Your District 120 Capitol Office is 201 W Capitol Ave, Rm 415-B, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you wish to unsubscribe from this report, please email Dylan Bryant at dylan.bryant@house.mo.gov

The Capitol Report | August 9th, 2018

New Laws: Salaries, National Guard, & Insurance

I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will move on to Senate bills.

SB 564 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Currently, gas corporations may apply to the Public Service Commission to approve rate schedules authorizing periodic rate adjustments outside of general rate proceedings due to changes in customer usage due to weather and conservation. Under this act, electrical corporations shall also be able to make such application to the Commission. However, no electrical corporation shall make an application to the Commission if such corporation makes certain deferrals as authorized under this act.

SB 568 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Provides that a county salary commission may increase the base salaries of all county office holders, other than the sheriff and full-time prosecutor, by up to $2,000, so long as the increase in pay applies to all such positions. The salary of the county sheriff may have a base increase of up to $6,000 subject to the approval of the county salary commission. Currently, salary commissions may only meet in odd-numbered years. This act allows the commission to also meet in even-numbered years.

SB 573 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Allows members of the National Guard or reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States to deduct such military income from his or her Missouri adjusted gross income to determine such taxpayer’s Missouri taxable income. The percentage of such income that may be deducted shall be phased in between tax years 2020 and 2024 in twenty percent increments.

SB 581 (Signed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Provides that in civil actions seeking rent and possession of a property brought by a landlord against a tenant, the aggrieved party has a right to a trial de novo. The act also repeals provisions of law which require a landlord to keep all security deposits in a trust account and prohibits commingling of the security deposit with other funds of the landlord.

SB 590 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Currently, the Department of Economic Development (DED) shall not approve tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures which, in the aggregate, exceed $140 million, increased by any amount of tax credits for which approval shall be rescinded for any reason. For each fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2018, the act reduces the aggregate cap to $90 million.

SB 592 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Currently, cities of the fourth classification may only sell their interest in a municipally-owned utility when ratified by a 2/3 vote. This act lowers the voter-approval threshold for the sale of a water or wastewater system, or a gas plant, by such cities to a majority vote.

SB 593 (Signed by Governor: 6/22/18) – Requires certain insurers and insurance groups to establish an internal audit function. Insurers and groups of insurers who were previously exempt from audit but lose their exemption have one year after the year the threshold was exceeded to come into compliance. This act also repeals the exemption for certain insurance holding companies involved in agricultural operations from certain reporting and examination requirements.

If you ever have questions, comments, or concerns, please call my office at 573-751-1688 or email me at: jason.chipman@house.mo.gov

You may read in more detail about what is happening at your State Capitol below.

As always, I will work diligently for you as your State Representative.

-Jason

 

 

2018 Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed Bills

I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week, I will wrap up the House bills and move on to Senate bills next week.

SB 564 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies provisions relating to public utilities

Currently, gas corporations may apply to the Public Service Commission to approve rate schedules authorizing periodic rate adjustments outside of general rate proceedings due to changes in customer usage due to weather and conservation. Under this act, electrical corporations shall also be able to make such application to the Commission. However, no electrical corporation shall make an application to the Commission if such corporation makes certain deferrals as authorized under this act. This provision shall apply to electrical corporations beginning January 1, 2019, and shall expire on January 1, 2029.

SB 568 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies provisions relating to salaries for certain county officials

This act provides that a county salary commission may increase the base salaries of all county office holders, other than the sheriff and full-time prosecutor, by up to $2,000, so long as the increase in pay applies to all such positions. The salary of the county sheriff may have a base increase of up to $6,000 subject to the approval of the county salary commission. Currently, salary commissions may only meet in odd-numbered years. This act allows the commission to also meet in even-numbered years.

SB 573 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies several provisions relating to the armed services

This act allows members of the National Guard or reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States to deduct such military income from his or her Missouri adjusted gross income to determine such taxpayer’s Missouri taxable income. The percentage of such income that may be deducted shall be phased in between tax years 2020 and 2024 in twenty percent increments.

SB 581 (Signed by Governor: 7/13/18) – Repeals provisions requiring a landlord to keep security deposits in a trust and authorizes the right to a trial de novo in rent and possession actions

This act provides that in civil actions seeking rent and possession of a property brought by a landlord against a tenant, the aggrieved party has a right to a trial de novo. The act also repeals provisions of law which require a landlord to keep all security deposits in a trust account and prohibits commingling of the security deposit with other funds of the landlord.

SB 590 (Signed by Governor: 6/1/18) – Modifies the Historic Preservation Tax Credit

Currently, the Department of Economic Development (DED) shall not approve tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures which, in the aggregate, exceed $140 million, increased by any amount of tax credits for which approval shall be rescinded for any reason. For each fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2018, the act reduces the aggregate cap to $90 million.

SB 592 (Signed by Governor: 7/5/18) – Modifies several provisions relating to elections

Currently, cities of the fourth classification may only sell their interest in a municipally-owned utility when ratified by a 2/3 vote. This act lowers the voter-approval threshold for the sale of a water or wastewater system, or a gas plant, by such cities to a majority vote. The Board of Aldermen shall hold a public meeting at least 30 days prior to any such vote. The municipality in question shall notify its customers of the meeting through radio, TV, newspaper, regular mail, e-mail, or any other combination thereof at least 15 days prior to the meeting.

SB 593 (Signed by Governor: 6/22/18) – Enacts provisions relating to financial solvency of insurance companies

This act requires certain insurers and insurance groups to establish an internal audit function. Insurers and groups of insurers who were previously exempt from audit but lose their exemption have one year after the year the threshold was exceeded to come into compliance. This act also repeals the exemption for certain insurance holding companies involved in agricultural operations from certain reporting and examination requirements.

I am committed to serve the constituents of the 120th District, so please feel free to contact my office anytime at 573-751-1688. Your District 120 Capitol Office is 201 W Capitol Ave, Rm 415-B, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you wish to unsubscribe from this report, please email Dylan Bryant at dylan.bryant@house.mo.gov