Capitol Report: Rep. Jeff Coleman

Rep. Jeff Coleman, Missouri House District 32

This is an editorial: An editorial, like news reporting, is based on objective facts, but shares an opinion. The conclusions and opinions here have been derived by the guest contributor and are not associated with the news staff.


Budget Bills Head to Conference (HBs 2-13, 15)
 
With just a little more than a week before the constitutional deadline to approve a state operating budget, key members of the House and Senate are now headed to conference to work out the final details for the spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
 
It was on March 30 that the House gave its stamp of approval to the appropriations bills that make up the state budget. The plan as approved by the House checked in with a funding total of $45.6 billion. The Senate then took the House plan and spent the last few weeks making several key changes. The version of the budget approved by the Senate increases state spending by more than $4 billion. As it returned to the House the Senate-approved plan checked in at a total of approximately $50 billion.
 
Budget leaders from the House and Senate will now meet in conference committees to iron out the differences in the two spending plans. One of the key differences in the two plans is funding for the expansion of Interstate 70. The House opted not to include funding for the plan in the state operating budget, but instead placed the $859 million requested by the governor in a separate capital improvements project bill that also included another $180 million for other road projects. The Senate plan allocates more than $2.8 billion for the Interstate 70 project and utilizes bond debt to provide $1.4 billion of that funding. The two chambers will now need to work to reach an agreement on the total amount allocated to the project and whether to issue bonds to provide a portion of the funding.
 
The Senate made several other changes to the House budget that members from both chambers will discuss. Among other items, the Senate added nearly $462 million to raise rates paid to agencies that care for individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as $300 million to build a new psychiatric hospital in Kansas City. Additionally, the Senate authorized $29 million to boost the minimum school teacher salary to $38,000. The members of the Senate also added $43 million to build a new veterinary hospital and $25 million to construct a research slaughterhouse at the University of Missouri.
 
House and Senate members will conference on the budget next week to iron out the final version of the state spending plan. The two chambers have until Friday, May 5 to give final approval to the bills that make up the state operating budget.
 

Legislation to Provide Direct Access to Physical Therapy Signed into Law (SB 51)

Governor Mike Parson has signed Senate Bill 51 into law. The legislation allows Missourians more direct access to physical therapy services. A signing ceremony was held in Governor Parson's office at the State Capitol this week where he was joined by the sponsors of the bill.
"We are all about streamlining processes and making it easier for Missourians to receive the services they need without unnecessary government burdens," Parson said. "SB 51 will make access to physical therapy care easier for more Missourians, while reducing patient costs and protecting their quality of care. We are proud to sign this good piece of legislation into law and look forward to more being sent to my desk soon."
Under the provisions of SB 51:

• Qualified physical therapists may treat patients without a prescription or referral from a physician;
• Qualified physical therapists may provide certain educational information, fitness or wellness programs, screenings, and consultations without a prescription or referral from a physician; and
• Physical therapists are required to consult with an approved health care provider after every 10 visits or 30 days, whichever occurs first, before continuing therapy.

Senate Bills Approved and Amended by the House
 
SB 187 modifies various provisions relating to financial affairs. Under current law, the state treasurer is permitted to invest in linked deposits in an amount up to $800 million at any one time. This act increases that threshold to $1 billion. Furthermore, the act modifies the total deposit for linked deposits that may be used for different borrowers. This act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to convene a work group to develop and recommend academic performance standards relating to the one-half unit of credit in personal finance required for high school graduation. This act establishes the Show-Me MyRetirement Savings Plan, which creates new provisions relating to retirement savings plans for private-sector employees. This act modifies various provisions relating to the regulation of certain financial institutions. This act creates the "Commercial Financing Disclosure Act". Under this act, any person who consummates more than 5 commercial financing products, as defined in the act, to a business located in this state in a calendar year is required to make certain disclosures to the business with regard to the product. This act adds to the offense of property damage in the first degree if such person knowingly damages, modifies, or destroys a teller machine or otherwise makes it inoperable. A number of additional provisions were added to the bill during discussion on the House floor.
 
SB 127 enacts provisions relating to the designation of infrastructure. This act adds Perry County to the region designated as the "German Heritage Corridor of Missouri". This act establishes the "Stars and Stripes Historic Region of Missouri". This act specifies that the signs designating "Marine LCPL Jared Schmitz Memorial Bridge" in St. Charles County shall be placed along Interstate 70 as close to the bridge as practicable. This act modifies the portion of State Highway 30 in St. Louis County designated as "Officer Blake Snyder Memorial Highway". This act designates the "Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway" in Poplar Bluff in Butler County. This act designates the Missouri portion of the new bridge on State Highway 51 crossing over the Mississippi River in Perry County to the Missouri/Illinois state line as the "Don Welge Memorial Bridge". This act designates the "Police SGT Herschel Turner Jr. Memorial Bridge" in St. Louis County. This act designates "James W. Brooks Memorial Highway" in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. This act designates the "SGT James L. Shipley Memorial Highway" in Moniteau County. This act designates the "Representative Tom Hannegan Memorial Highway" in St. Charles County. This act designates the "Police Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans Memorial Highway" in Jackson County. This act designates the "Det. Antonio Valentine Memorial Bridge" in St. Louis and Jefferson Counties. This act designates the "CPL Ben Cooper Memorial Bridge" in Newton County. This act designates the "Officer Timothy Nielson Memorial Bridge" in Newton County. This act designates the "CPL Homer Hoover Schultz Memorial Highway" in Pulaski County. This act designates the portion of Business Highway 61 in Pike County from its intersection with Airport Road continuing south to its intersection with Missouri Route 161 as "John Walter Basye Memorial Highway". This act designates the portion of State Highway A from State Highway 42 continuing west to Boeckman Bridge Road in Miller County the "Officer Walter W. Farrow Memorial Highway". This act designates the portion of State Highway F from Gaylord Drive continuing east to Westminster Avenue in the City of Fulton in Callaway County the "Sam Santhuff Memorial Highway". This act designates the portion of Interstate 70 from Salisbury Street continuing south to its intersection with St. Louis Avenue in the City of St. Louis as "Ethel Hedgemon Lyle Memorial Highway". This act designates the bridge on Telegraph Road passing over Interstate 255 in St. Louis County the "Kaitlyn Anderson Memorial Bridge". This act designates the portion of State Highway 210 from CST Diamond Parkway continuing east to CST Choteau Trafficway in Clay County as "Officer Daniel Vasquez Memorial Highway". A number of additional provisions were added to the bill during discussion on the House floor.
 
SB 186 modifies provisions relating to public safety. This act provides that if the Governor determines that a threat to public safety and health exists in a jurisdiction that has a certain number of homicide cases as provided in the act, he or she may appoint a special prosecutor for that jurisdiction for a period of up to 5 years. This act provides that if the juvenile court finds that a child has engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult, the court may retain jurisdiction over the child for the purpose of depriving the child of access to a firearm. This act provides that non-apportioned motor vehicles may be issued "Back the Blue" license plates by the Department of Revenue. When a judge or judicial officer sets bail or conditions of release in all courts in Missouri for any offense charged, he or she shall consider whether: • A defendant poses a danger to a victim of crime, the community, any witness to the crime, or to any other person; • A defendant is a flight risk; • A defendant has committed a violent misdemeanor offense, sexual offense, or felony offense in this state or any other state in the last 5 years; and • A defendant has failed to appear in court as a required condition of probation or parole for a violent misdemeanor or felony within the last 3 years. This act repeals provisions relating to certain offenses which have mandatory prison terms and provides that all classes of felonies shall have minimum prison terms except those felony offenses relating to controlled substances. This act adds to the offense of property damage in the first degree if such person knowingly damages, modifies, or destroys a teller machine or otherwise makes it inoperable. This act modifies the offense of burglary in the second degree by adding a person commits such offense if he or she enters unlawfully into a motor vehicle with intent to commit any felony or theft. This offense shall be a Class C felony. This act adds that the offense of stealing shall be a Class C felony if the property stolen is a teller machine or the contents of a teller machine including cash regardless of the value or amount stolen. This act modifies the minimum prison terms for the offense of armed criminal action. This act provides that a person who is a school officer commissioned by the school board does not commit the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he or she brings a firearm into a school or on a school bus. This act establishes "Blair's Law" which specifies that a person commits the offense of unlawful discharge of a firearm if, with criminal negligence, he or she discharges a firearm within or into the limits of a municipality. This act provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm if the person is in possession of a firearm and was adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult. This act provides that a person commits the offense of tampering with a judicial officer if the person disseminates through any means the judicial officer's personal information as provided in the act. This act provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful disclosure of personally identifiable information if he or she knowingly releases or publicly discloses the name, home address, Social Security number, telephone number, or other personal information of an elected officer or his or her family members with the purpose to harass or cause death or bodily injury. This act creates the offenses of delivery of a controlled substance causing serious physical injury which shall be a class C felony. This act also creates the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death which shall be a class A felony. This act establishes the "Peace Officer Basic Training Tuition Reimbursement Program" within the Department of Public Safety. A number of additional provisions were added to the bill during discussion on the House floor.
 
SB 222 modifies provisions relating to political subdivisions. This act establishes the "Protecting Missouri's Small Businesses Act" which provides that any political subdivision that implements any shutdown order and the business closes solely due to such shutdown order for at least 21 consecutive days or 45 cumulative days shall waive the fee for a business license during the period of the shutdown order and reduce the real and personal property tax liability of the business as provided in the act. This act prohibits library boards from overruling the recommendations of a county planning commission or a township planning commission relating to county or township improvement plans. This act provides that no county, municipality, or political subdivision shall impose or otherwise enforce a moratorium on eviction proceedings unless specifically authorized by law. This act modifies the definition of "video service" for provisions of law relating to video service providers and such definition now specifically excludes streaming content. The act authorizes the board of trustees of a consolidated public library district to change the dates of the fiscal year. This act provides that no political subdivision shall require an owner of residential property to have a home inspection conducted prior to the sale of the property, unless such inspection requirement is for new construction or occupancy permits. A number of additional provisions were added to the bill during discussion on the House floor.
 
House Bills Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed
 
HB 1 is one of the appropriations bills making up the state budget. It allocates funds to pay state debt.
 
House Bills Sent to the Senate
 
HB 817 designates the month of January each year as "State Legislator Remembrance Month" in memory of all state legislators who died while in office. Supporters say legislators sacrifice a lot to serve the people of this state. Some have lost their lives while serving and we need to remember and honor them for their contributions to our state.
 
HB 777 modifies several provisions relating to certificates of need. It modifies the definitions of rural and urban areas, as specified in the bill. This definition of urban areas only applies to the counties of Clay, Jackson, St. Charles, St. Louis, and the City of St. Louis. In determining whether a certificate of need should be granted for certain facilities applying in a designated urban area, no consideration shall be given to facilities or equipment of any other health care facility located more than 10 miles from the applying facility. Likewise, for certain applying facilities in a rural area of the state, no consideration shall be given to the facilities or equipment located more than 20 miles from the applying facility. In determining whether to grant a certificate of need for any beds for an applying facility, the same rule applies for licensed beds located more than 10 miles from an urban applying facility and 20 miles from a rural applying facility. In determining whether to grant a certificate of need for additional beds for any intermediate care facility or nursing facility, the health facilities review committee shall base its decision on the service area's need, as specified in the bill. Supporters say reform is vital for the industry, as they are not entirely a part of the free market and cannot set their own prices for certain things. Medicaid rates have been underfunded, and state reimbursement has been lacking, both of which have impaired staffing for LPNs, CNAs, and nurses. Additionally, following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, occupancy rates have declined and the state is 10-15% below the national average. Additionally, other states have repealed or substantially modified their own certificate of need laws, and this could mean decreased hospital beds and access to services such as CT scans for rural or lower-income communities.
 
HB 1109 raises the aggregate amount that the state treasurer may invest in linked deposits, such that the total amount deposited at any one time does not exceed $1 billion. Currently, the cap is $800 million. The bill specifies that the aggregate deposits shall be used for linked deposits to eligible small businesses in addition to the businesses currently allowed. Currently, there is a maximum dollar amount that can be deposited in linked deposits applicable to the various businesses, this bill changes the maximum to a percentage of the aggregate deposit. Supporters say last year there was $1.4 billion in deposits and 781 loans were made of which 42 loans were to women owned businesses, agriculture, small business and industry. The needs of small businesses and agriculture has grown. Businesses need the ability to have loans to improve Missouri's economy. This bill is helpful to all participants and is important to borrowers and farmers and ranchers. Further, the risk is with the lenders and not the State Treasurer.
 
HB 669 modifies provisions to the Rap Back system. Currently, qualified entities receive Rap Back notifications for individuals as long as the individual has had a Missouri and national criminal record review completed within the previous six years. This bill eliminates the six-year limitation such that a qualified entity will continue to receive Rap Back notifications for individuals as long as the individuals have at some point had a Missouri and national criminal record review completed. Supporters say Rap Back is a database of fingerprints accessible to certain qualified entities. It does not give the agency or entity the right to fire; the agency or entity just gets the updated information so the agency or entity can tell if the person who is applying or is employed has any changes in criminal record. Currently, fingerprints have to be renewed every six years. This bill removes that provision. We are the only state that has the six-year renewal, and the feds do not even require that renewal. Everyone else has a one-time enrollment. The six-year requirement is a hurdle some members of the professional industry do not want to overcome.
 
HB 929 adds the definition of "human and pet cemetery" to the provisions relating to cemeteries in the state, which would allow for the creation of cemeteries in which both human remains and the remains of other creatures could be interred and memorialized at the discretion of the lot holder and according to the rules of the human and pet cemetery. Supporters say the bill allows human and pet remains to be buried together, assigning certain plots of lands to be set aside for this purpose. An increasing number of citizens are electing to be buried and memorialized with their pets. This bill simply tweaks endowed care law to make clear that human and pet burials will be subject to endowed perpetual care, giving a heightened level of protection and surety.

Closing Remarks

In closing I would like to encourage my readers to continue to be involved in the affairs of government. Thomas Jefferson once stated that liberty is best preserved by the people themselves stating that they are the “only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty”. I whole heartedly agree with Thomas Jefferson on this issue. It is always my intent to keep my constituents informed and to retain open transparency. If you have any questions or concerns please contact my office at any time. You can reach my office by calling 573-751-1487 or via email at [email protected]
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