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Missouri’s governor made access to child care a top priority. Where do his proposals stand?5/4/2023
by Clara Bates, Missouri Independent Missouri Gov. Mike Parson made improving access to child care a major part of his 2023 legislative agenda, declaring during his annual State of the State address in January that “early childhood care is essential to our state’s success.”
Since then, lawmakers have worked to enact his recommendations, but the proposals have faced roadblocks on their way to his desk. The Missouri General Assembly adjourns for the year at 6 p.m. on May 12. Here are where Parson’s major child care priorities stand:
Unlike his budget proposals, the tax credits face a more uncertain future due to opposition from conservative lawmakers in the Senate.
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:
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 jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov 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.
by Rep. Jeff Coleman, MO District 32 Lawmakers Approve Funding for Critical Infrastructure Projects (HB 17, HB 18, HB 19, and HB 20) House members this week approved four bills that appropriate more than $5.4 billion in funding for vital infrastructure projects and programs across the state. Lawmakers approved HB 17 to re-appropriate funding for state parks around Missouri. In total the bill contains nearly $431 million in funding. House members also gave their stamp of approval to HB 18 to continue ongoing funding that will keep state facilities maintained and repaired. The bill allocates a total of more than $588 million for that purpose. With the approval of HB 19 legislators authorized more than $1.7 billion in funding for crucial capital improvement projects. Included in that total is $859 million in funding to widen and rebuild the I-70 corridor. The plan is a priority of Gov. Mike Parson who called for the funding to expand the highway to six lanes from St. Louis to Warrenton, Kansas City to Odessa, and extending both East and West from Columbia. The governor said the expansion would improve inter and intrastate travel for Missourians, visitors, and goods and services as well as reduce traffic injuries and deaths. House members also authorized $100 million in funding for maintenance and repair for the state’s minor and low volume roadways. The additional funding will help provide much-needed upgrades to overlooked roadways in the state’s rural areas. The bill also works to improve public safety in Missouri by investing more than $30 million in funding for new facilities and training for law enforcement. It also prioritizes improving access to health care by allocating more than $26 million for construction and expansion of vital health care facilities across the state. Additionally, the bill appropriates $10 million to help address the lack of housing for the homeless in Springfield. The House Budget Chairman said HB 19 provides vital funding to important projects across the state but also requires buy in at the local level. He said, “We’re doing a lot of good things here with this bill, investing heavily into our infrastructure and getting local participation in many cases.” The final budget bill approved by the House, HB 20, re-appropriates approximately $2.7 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for various programs and projects. All four bills now move to the Senate for consideration. The two chambers must reach final agreement on the bills by Friday, May 5. House Approves Legislation to Protect and Strengthen Second Amendment Rights (HB 282) The Missouri House has approved legislation that would expand the rights of concealed carry permit holders. By a vote of 102-45, House members approved HB 282 to allow law-abiding citizens the right to defend themselves on public transportation. The legislation allows a concealed carry permit holder to lawfully carry firearms on public transportation. Anyone with a permit may also carry a firearm while traveling by bus. The bill does not apply to property of Amtrak or any partnership in which Amtrak engages. “Violence and crime don’t discriminate,” said the sponsor of the bill. “We all have the potential of running into situations where we have to utilize self-defense to protect ourselves and those we love. Prohibiting lawful citizens from carrying concealed is like putting all the sheep in a pen and telling the wolf where they’re at.” He added, “I believe that this legislation will discourage criminal activity on our public transportation systems, but most importantly it will ensure that we maintain our constitutional right to self-defense.” HB 282 also allows a person with a valid concealed carry permit to lawfully carry firearms in churches and other places of worship. Additionally, the bill lowers the age requirement from at least 19 to 18 years of age or older for concealed carry permits. The bill also removes the ban on eligibility for a concealed carry permit or a Missouri lifetime or extended concealed carry permit if the applicant has pled guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere of certain crimes. The bill’s sponsor concluded his remarks on the legislation by saying, “I stand by the constitution. I stand by my constituents and I stand by the would-be victims and the victims who simply want to be able to defend themselves against the perpetrators of violence and crime.” The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Other Bills Sent to the Senate HB 183 is meant to promote fairness in competition and opportunity for female student athletes. The bill would prohibit public school districts and charter schools from allowing students grade six to 12 and public and private postsecondary educational institutions from allowing any student to compete in an athletics competition designated for the opposite sex, as determined by the student's official birth certificate. The bill clarifies that biological sex is only correctly stated on birth certificates if it was entered at or near the time of birth or modified to correct scrivener's error. The bill also makes it clear a female student may be allowed to compete in an athletic competition designated for male students if there is no such athletic competition for female students offered. The bill’s sponsor said the legislation is important because, “Biological males are bigger, they are stronger, and they are faster. The majority of women simply cannot compete. Years of competing against biological males will wipe out female sports as we know it. We must protect the gains women have made in the last 50 years.” The legislation specifies that any school district, charter school, or private school that violates the provisions of the bill will have a portion of their state funding withheld by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Any public postsecondary educational institution that violates the provisions of the bill would have to remit a fine in the amount of 25% of their current fiscal year state operating appropriation for a first violation, 50% for a second violation, and 100% for subsequent violations. The bill also allows postsecondary education institutions to be fined up to $1 million by the Coordinating Board of Higher Education. HJR 20 would allow voters to decide if the rights of hunters and anglers should be enshrined in the Missouri Constitution. If approved by both the House and Senate and by the voters of Missouri, the measure would guarantee the right of hunters and anglers in the state to engage in hunting and harvesting wildlife and fishing by legal means, subject to duly authorized powers of the Conservation Commission. The sponsor of the legislation said, “This preserves the right of folks in our state to hunt and fish. The same rights we enjoy now, it intends to preserve those rights.” He added, “More than 25 states have adopted an amendment similar to this as a result of the similar concern that some groups across the country might want to detract from this fundamental right that we enjoy to hunt and fish.” If approved by both chambers, the proposed change to the state constitution will appear on the November 2024 ballot for voter approval. HB 894 modifies the Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act (MVFP Act). The bill prohibits certain entities from engaging in the business of selling motor vehicles, except as permitted by the MVFP Act, and specifies parties that will have standing to enforce the prohibitions. The bill requires every licensed motor vehicle dealer to collect and remit sales tax on all motor vehicles sold. The Director of the Department of Revenue may promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this bill. The bill also requires that used motor vehicles get an inspection at the seller's expense no more than 60 days prior to a sale. The inspection is not required for vehicles having less than 40,000 miles for the three-year period following the model year of manufacture. HB 424 establishes the "License Office Distribution Fund", which consists of certain moneys collected by motor vehicle registration fee offices, and used solely for the purposes specified in the bill. Beginning after December 31, 2024, but no later than February 15, 2025, equal quarterly disbursements will be made from the fund to the fee offices awarded contracts under this section, except as provided in the bill. The bill increases several fees authorized to be charged by motor vehicle registration offices. HB 782 changes the law regarding advertisements and orders of publication in newspapers. Currently, in order to qualify as legally acceptable to run public notices and advertisements, a newspaper must have been published regularly for a period of three years or must be the successor newspaper to a defunct newspaper and have begun publication no later than 30 days after the termination of the prior newspaper. This bill reduces the time period of regular publication from three years to one year, and increases the time period from 30 days to 90 days within which a successor newspaper must begin publication. The bill also allows a newspaper that has been purchased or newly established by another newspaper that satisfies these conditions to qualify. Supporters say the publication of public notices in newspapers is a vital component to transparency and good government. The relationship between local papers and political subdivisions is symbiotic, helping the former survive and the latter better serve their constituents. Shortening the time a paper must operate before it can start publishing public notices will bring Missouri in line with other states and allow the benefits of public notices to occur more quickly for small communities. Lengthening the time period for successor newspapers will give them more time to become established before taking on a large workload and public responsibility. HB 1207 adds any earthen basin constructed to retain and settle nontoxic, nonmetallic earthen materials to the activities excluded from construction permits. Supporters say that due to recent statutory changes, earthen basins at quarries to retain earthen materials may have to conform to requirements for basins holding effluent. This bill would ensure that quarries can meet the same construction standards as they always have and not be subjected to stricter requirements. HB 471 provides for personnel payments to be made according to specific, written criteria, predetermined and approved by the department director in writing, at least one year prior to the exceptional employment achievement. The payments authorized by the bill shall not exceed 20% of the employee's base wages or salary and are awarded upon the completion of the retention period in question and not more frequently than annually. Supporters say the bill would help recruit and retain talent in the state employee workforce. HB 37 specifies that a record for the sale of a catalytic converter must include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed. Supporters say the bill addresses the growing problem of catalytic converter theft. HBs 1108 & 1181 is a wide-ranging public safety bill that will help protect Missourians and especially children. The bill ensures further protections for children and the mentally disabled from the sex offenders who committed these offenses against them. The bill requires people who have committed offenses against these groups of victims, the vulnerable population, to be lifetime registrants on the sex offender registry. It also requires background checks for those working in a marijuana facility. The bill decriminalizes the possession of brass knuckles. The bill prohibits a court from issuing an arrest warrant for a person’s failure to respond, pay a fine, or appear in court for a motor vehicle equipment violation citation classified as an infraction. Includes language for ATM theft. Additionally, it removes residency requirements for St. Louis police department personnel as well as for any employee of the City of St. Louis. HB 155 creates the "Show-Me MyRetirement Savings Administrative Fund", which is a multiple-employer retirement savings plan treated as a single plan under Title I of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) under 401(a), 401(k), and 413(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, in which multiple employers may voluntarily choose to participate regardless of whether any relationship exists between and among the employers other than their participation in the plan. Supporters say over 40% of Missouri workers have no access to retirement savings through their employers. In addition, the workers may not have a pension or retirement pension plan. Lumping businesses together to make it affordable to offer the savings plan through the State Treasurer's Office (STO) also achieves economies of scale and reduces expenses to the employer. The STO would administer the Plan. This bill seeks to provide for more Missourians to take personal responsibility for their future and to save for retirement. HB 934 modifies provisions relating to employee benefit plans. Currently, the General Assembly and the governing body of a county are prohibited from appropriating funds into the Sheriffs' Retirement System. The bill reverses this provision and allows the General Assembly and the governing body of a county to appropriate funds for deposit into the Sheriffs' Retirement System. Supporters say the bill addresses a recent court ruling that has had the result of removing any funding mechanism for sheriff's pensions. It is estimated that in nine years the Sheriff's Retirement System will become insolvent. The State and various counties have an obligation to support retired sheriffs who have relied upon the guarantee of their retirement system throughout their careers. The bill also contains multiple provisions relating to retirement systems and employment benefit plans. HBs 45 & 1066 specifies that, any cosmetologist holding a license to practice certain categories of cosmetology, as described in the bill, may register with the State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for a personal service registration to provide services to clients who are ill, disabled, or otherwise unable to travel to a cosmetology establishment. An applicant for a personal service registration shall submit to the Board an application, the fee set by the Board, and a copy of the applicant's license. An applicant for a personal service registration may be denied if the applicant has pled guilty or been found guilty of any of the offenses set forth in the bill. Supporters say this is needed to help individuals with a disability. This provides less restrictions on our licensed cosmetologists in a safe way. The bill changes the definition of "tattoo" in the tattooing requirements under state law to include the insertion of ink or both ink and pigment with the aid of needles or blades using hand-held or machine-powered instruments. The bill also changes the definition of "tattoo" to include a mark made on the face or body of another person for cosmetic purposes or to any part of the body for scar coverage or other corrective purposes by insertion of a pigment, ink, or both pigment and ink under the skin with the aid of needles. HB 188 establishes the "Immigrant Employment Registration and Taxation Protection Act". As specified in the bill, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) is required to maintain a database or registry of qualified immigrant workers. The DOLIR shall provide employers with a mechanism to verify registration of any qualified immigrant workers. Further, upon receiving documentation from a qualified immigrant worker, the employer is required to provide the documentation to DOLIR as indicated in the bill. Supporters say the bill addresses a current deficiency in Missouri law concerning illegal or unclassified workers. There is currently a large number of "unclassified" aliens living and working in the United States, as well as Missouri. The first step to addressing this problem is to shine a light on the illegal and often abusive employment of these aliens. It is important to register the employment of these aliens with the state, and take steps to make employers accountable. There are a number of large commercial developments in Missouri with much of the labor being done by unclassified workers. The Department of Labor is not taking appropriate action. This bill gives the state the tools necessary to address this problem. HB 542 establishes the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program within the Department of Health and Senior Services, offering forgivable loans to pay off existing student loans and other education expenses for health care, mental health, and public health professionals. Supporters say the bill would help attract talent to underserved areas of the state. If a medical professional sets up practice in a community, they tend to stay there for the duration of their career. This could encourage new health care professionals to relocate to areas where there are currently not any or far too few health professionals practicing. This could be a lifeline to struggling rural hospitals and assisted living facilities, which must close if they don't have enough staff to operate. HBs 1082 & 1094 modifies provisions related to mental health care. Currently, a judge may order a pretrial examination of an accused person whom the judge has reasonable cause to believe lacks mental fitness to proceed. The psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician performing the examination shall submit a report with findings, opinions, and recommendations on treatment in suitable hospitals. This bill requires the examination report to contain recommendations as to whether the accused, if found to lack mental fitness to proceed, should be committed to a suitable hospital for treatment or if the treatment can be provided in a county jail or other detention facility approved by the Director of the Department of Mental Health. Additionally, the report shall contain a recommendation as to whether the accused, if found to lack mental fitness to proceed and if not charged with a dangerous felony, murder in the first degree, or rape in the second degree, should be committed to a suitable hospital facility or may be appropriately treated in the community, and whether the accused can comply with bond conditions and treatment conditions. The Director, or his or her designee, shall determine the locations and conditions under which treatment shall be provided to the accused. Supporters say competency restorations on occasion need to be conducted outside of a hospital setting, and several issues, including waiting times for evaluation, and subsequent waits for admittance and treatment, may be relieved by the bill's provisions. For sufferers, symptoms can worsen and may be extremely difficult or dangerous for jail staff to manage, with additional complications resulting from the workforce shortage in these settings. Offenders must be cognitively able to participate in their criminal proceedings, and due process must occur. HB 437 will allow the board of trustees for consolidated public library districts to modify the existing district's fiscal year from July 1 to June 30 to a different set of dates. The budget shall still be approved before the end of the fiscal year set by the board. Supporters say the bill will provide flexibility for the library districts. HB 1214 modifies the deadlines for filing a declaration of candidacy. The political subdivision or special district calling an election to fill any office must notify the public of the opening filing date, the office to be filled, the proper place for filing, and the closing date for filing before the 16th rather than the 17th Tuesday prior to the election. The bill changes the opening filing date from the 17th to the 16th Tuesday prior to the election, and changes the closing filing date from the 14th to the 13th Tuesday prior to the election. If the closing filing date happens to coincide with a state or federal holiday, the closing filing date shall be 5:00 pm on the next day that is not a holiday. HB 836 establishes the "Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, and Operation Allies Refuge Program". This Program would award medallions, medals, and certificates of appreciation to veterans who honorably served on active duty in the United States military service at any time between October 7, 2011, and August 30, 2021, and who were honorably separated and discharged from military service. Supporters say this is another way for us to show our appreciation for those who served our country. HB 1117 requires that an individual be deceased for five years before they can have a holiday named after them. Beginning January 1, 2024, in order for a day to be designated, the individual to be honored shall be deceased for at least five years. If the individual was killed in combat while on active duty in the military or killed in the line of duty as a first responder, a day can be designated in honor of him or her after one year. Supporters say this would give enough time to vet a potential candidate and make sure he or she is deserving of the day of recognition. HB 303 modifies provisions relating to police officer retirement systems and allows a surviving spouse to continue receiving retirement benefits notwithstanding the surviving spouse's remarriage. Supporters say the bill seeks to remedy the egregious situation created where a spouse in St. Louis loses all of their benefits when he or she remarries. A surviving spouse in the St. Louis area is treated differently than the surviving spouse in Kansas City. Other employees in the St. Louis government structure receive survivor benefits and there are provisions in place where a surviving spouse in Kansas City continues to receive the pension benefits. The changes in the bill are unlikely to have a material impact on future funding and no retro liability is created on the system. HB 716 changes provisions relating to education services. Currently, domiciliary school districts must pay costs for educational services rendered by a resident district for any child temporarily in a children's hospital licensed under state law. This bill expands the requirement to include children that are in a psychiatric residential treatment facility. Supporters say adding this language will provide much needed services to children who needs them. This bill will also update our statutes to current practices. The bill also provides that any school board vacancy that occurs in a metropolitan school board outside of the normal election cycle will be filled by appointment by the board for the remainder of the term. HB 1023 authorizes an income tax exemption for: (1) A percentage of capital gains of up to $6 million per year, as set out in the bill, received by a taxpayer who sells all or a portion of his or her farmland to a beginning farmer; (2) Cash rent income of up to $25,000 per year received by a taxpayer who leases all or a portion of his or her farmland to a beginning farmer; and (3) Income of up to $25,000 per year received from crop share arrangements with a beginning farmer on all or a portion of a taxpayers farmland. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to report annually to certain committees of the House of Representative and the Senate regarding the cost and benefits regarding the subtraction of capital gains for transactions with beginning farmers. Supporters Missouri has a rich agricultural history and it is important to keep farmland in production agriculture for future generations. However, the biggest threat to agriculture in the state is the aging farmer. The average age of the Missouri farmer is 58 years old and less than 5% of farmers are under the age of 35. Currently, there are state and federal programs to help young farmers. This bill would provide an incentive to aging farmers to sell part or all of their farm to a young farmer. HB 1034 modifies provisions related to the placement of a child. Currently, when placing a child in the custody of an individual or of a private agency or institution, the court must, whenever practicable, select either a person, or an agency or institution governed by persons of the same religious faith as that of the parents of such child, or in case of a difference in the religious faith of the parents, then of the religious faith of the child or if the religious faith of the child is not ascertainable, then of the faith of either of the parents. This bill requires Children's Division, within the Department of Social Services or any child-placing agency contracting with the state to provide foster care services to also follow the same procedure. The bill also modifies the definition of a "missing child" in the context of law enforcement searches of missing children to include persons under 18 years of age, foster children regardless of age, emancipated minors, or homeless youth. Any agency or placement provider, including the Children's Division, with the care and custody of a child who is missing shall file a missing child complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency within two hours of determining the child to be missing. The law enforcement agency shall immediately submit information on the missing child to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The law enforcement agency shall institute a proper investigation and search for the missing child and maintain contact with the agency or placement provider making the complaint. The missing child's entry shall not be removed from any database or system until the child is found or the case is closed. HB 1038 establishes the "Intern and Apprentice Recruitment Act". Beginning January 1, 2024, a taxpayer may claim a tax credit against the taxpayer's state taxes in an amount equal to $1,500 for each intern or apprentice hired at a pay rate equal to or greater than minimum wage, provided that the following criteria are met: (1) The total number of interns or apprentices employed for the tax year that the credit is claimed exceeds the average number of interns or apprentices employed by the taxpayer over the previous three years; (2) Interns shall work a minimum of 60 hours per month for two consecutive months during the tax year for which the credit is claimed, and a copy of each intern's official transcript is submitted; and (3) Apprentices shall complete a minimum of 144 hours of work in a calendar year, and a copy of the qualified apprenticeship program certification is submitted. Supporters say attracting and retaining talented employees is difficult in the post-Covid era. This bill would incentivize employers to take on interns and apprentices. Those who start off as interns or apprentices often lead to full-time employment at the same company, which in turn creates a stronger, more dedicated workforce. This bill will also help to keep graduates of Missouri schools in-state because the average salary of an intern hired to a full-time position is $40,000. 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 jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent Anti-diversity budget language called a “job killer” by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce didn’t survive the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday, as the panel wrapped up its work on the state spending plan for the coming year.
Over two days of work, the committee added more than $3 billion to the House-approved budget for state operations in the coming fiscal year. The biggest items added Wednesday were $300 million for the Department of Mental Health to build a new psychiatric hospital in Kansas City and $461 million to increase the pay of personal care workers who assist people with developmental disabilities. The committee also restored $4.5 million for state aid to public libraries, cut in the House because the Missouri Library Association and the ACLU are suing over legislation passed last year intended to block children from accessing sexually explicit material. The biggest new item overall was $2 billion for widening Interstate 70, added on Tuesday. The 14 spending bills will be debated in the Senate next week, setting up negotiations with the House to iron out differences before the May 5 deadline for appropriations. Exact totals were unavailable Wednesday, but the tally will be higher than both the House plan, which spends $45.6 billion on state operations, and the budget proposed by Gov. Mike Parson, which asked for $47.7 billion. The extra money comes from bond debt, increased federal aid and the massive general revenue surplus projected to be at least $5 billion at the end of the current fiscal year. The anti-diversity, equity and inclusion language, added during House floor debate by Rep. Doug Richey to the 13 spending bills for state operations as well as the supplemental appropriations bill for the current year, created large and small headaches for state government. It had the potential to cause delays or cancellations in state contracts and endangered the Medicaid program. “The uncertainty associated with the language that the House applied to those appropriations bills is unknown,”said Sen. Lincoln Hough, chairman of the appropriations committee. “And I don’t like doing things when we are running a state that I don’t know what the consequences are. That does not seem like a responsible thing to do.” None of the 14 members of the committee, dominated by Republicans, objected or tried to add language Richey is pushing as a narrower version that would not impact contracting or state services. Asked about the Senate vote, Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, said he will continue to push for some version to make it into the final budget. “I appreciate the fact that conversations are ongoing,” Richey said. In a news release issued Tuesday, the Chamber of Commerce listed Richey’s amendment among four measures under consideration by lawmakers that it contends are job killers. “Rep. Richey’s language bans state government spending on staff, vendors, consultants and programs associated with diversity, equity and inclusion,” a statement from the chamber read. “If passed, this will bring Missouri’s government to a grinding halt.” The strong committee vote in favor of budget bills without the language is a signal to the House that the issue is dead in future budget negotiations, Sen. Barbara Washington, D-Kansas City, said. The 14 bills approved in the committee Wednesday were all passed unanimously or with only a single dissenting vote. The committee, she said, “is astute enough to realize anything of this sort would cost the state billions of dollars.” The additions to the Department of Mental Health budget will be used to replace an aging facility in Kansas City called the Center for Behavioral Medicine. The current hospital, built in 1966, has 100 beds and “is in utter disrepair,” Hough said. “No member of the committee would even want a neighbor they didn’t like to be housed there.” The $300 million would build a 200-bed facility. The University of Kansas Health System leases half of the current facility and would be a tenant in the new hospital as well, department Director Valerie Huhn said. The replacement facility would relieve pressure on other institutions operated by the department, Huhn said in an interview with The Independent. Lack of staff and beds means there are more than 220 people deemed incompetent to stand trial waiting for placement in a state mental facility because there is no room. Fulton State Hospital has empty beds because of staffing shortages and the department has canceled plans to consolidate sex offender treatment there. A new, larger facility in Kansas City would help, in part because of a more available workforce, Huhn said. “Kansas City is probably the place where we have the best staffing,” Huhn said. A $451 million addition to the budget would boost rates paid to local agencies providing residential support services for people with disabilities. The extra funding would allow those agencies, struggling to find staff like many service providers, to set a base pay of $17 an hour. The MIssouri House, during budget debate last month, narrowly defeated an amendment that would have added $308 million to the budget to boost the base pay, currently $15 an hour, by 8.7%. The committee worked swiftly through the budget bills and Hough spent hours with individual members before this week’s meeting discussing the items they wanted to add. “We made investments in things that have been put off for a long time in this state,” Hough said. by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent The Missouri House Budget Committee will debate a plan for major construction spending that includes Gov. Mike Parson’s full request for money to widen three sections of Interstate 70.
Rep. Cody Smith, the committee’s chairman, released his revisions to the capital improvements appropriation bills on Tuesday and scheduled a committee debate Thursday on the four bills that pay for building maintenance and new construction. Despite calls from some to divert a portion of the money to other projects, Smith included the $859 million sought by Parson for I-70. Smith’s proposal also includes $48 million for an environmental study on the Interstate 44 corridor and to widen a section of that highway in Springfield, as well as $41.3 million for work on several other roads. Another big initiative in the budget is $272 million for construction projects on college campuses, either to cover a portion of the unmet cost for projects authorized last year or to fund other construction on a 50-50 match basis. The biggest item on that list is $52.3 million for the University of Missouri to move ahead on plans to build a new research nuclear reactor in Columbia capable of producing treatments for cancer and other ailments. The university on Monday issued a call for contractors to bid on the management contract for the project. Smith said he included Parson’s funding figure because it is the best estimate of the cost for the three sections of I-70 slated for improvement. The prospects for federal aid to offset the state’s cost is low, Smith said after releasing his plan. The portions of I-70 to be widened are in the Kansas City region, from Blue Springs to Odessa, through Boone County near Columbia and from Warrenton to Wentzville on the east side of the state. “I don’t think there’s really any way around getting those three pieces of I-70 done for approximately what we think that cost is,” Smith said. The budget plan scrapped Parson’s $44 million proposal to purchase the Department of Transportation headquarters adjacent to the Capitol Building for use by other agencies. The plan for using the building is too uncertain, Smith said, and it is unclear how it will fit into other proposals for expanding space near the Capitol. “I don’t think that’s quite clear at this time, so I don’t really see the need to purchase it,” Smith said. The House has already passed a $45.6 billion operating budget for the coming fiscal year that is awaiting action in the Senate. The four capital spending bills total $5.5 billion, with about half of that amount being reappropriated for projects authorized in prior years. The budget committee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Peter Merideth of St. Louis, said he was pleased Smith included the funding for I-70. “There’s going to be some wide agreement that some large expenditure needs to happen on improving infrastructure on I-70,” Merideth said. “Whether it’s this proposal, or I think, the potentially much larger one that the Senate has in mind, I think is still going to be an open question.” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, has said he would like to authorize enough money to widen I-70 across the entire state. He has said he wants to authorize a mix of surplus revenue and borrowed funding to complete the financing. The I-70 project makes sense because it is an important route nationally as well as for the state, Merideth said. Democrats will be pushing to fund other transportation needs as well, he said. “I’d love to see some real investment in public transit as well,” he said. Smith’s proposal for capital spending would increase total general revenue used in the coming fiscal year to $13.9 billion, or about $325 million less that Parson’s budget plan. If revenue projections made in January are correct, Smith’s plan would use about $750 million of the state’s general revenue surplus of about $5 billion. The January projection was for revenue to grow 1.4% in the current year and less than 1% in the coming fiscal year. But growth in the current year has remained robust – 11.3% through Monday afternoon. At that rate, the surplus would grow by $1.3 billion by June 30. Smith said he is unwilling to dig further into the unspent funds. "Im a little less concerned with the state of revenues now and a little more concerned with writing the budget,” Smith said. “And after we get out of this session. We’ll continue to watch that and keep an eye on it for next year.” Merideth, however, said the state’s unmet needs should be addressed with the surplus. The capital spending items are needed and he will support most of them, he said. “They’re great, but they don’t address the underlying issue of we need to spend our revenue back into things that grow our state,” Merideth said, “and we need to keep up with the changing economy.” 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. by Rep. Jeff Coleman, MO District 32
Missouri House Approves Fiscal Year 2024 State Operating Budget (HBs 1-13) The members of the Missouri House of Representatives this week approved a $45.6 billion state operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins in July. The 13 appropriations bills passed by the House include full funding for the state’s school foundation formula, funding increases for institutions of higher learning, additional support for law enforcement and school safety, and new funding for nursing homes and child care providers. With the FY 2024 state budget plan, House members are making an enormous investment in the both the K-12 and higher education systems. The House allocated approximately $9.7 billion for the state’s elementary and secondary education system. That number includes full funding for the state’s foundation formula that is used to fund K-12 public schools. It also includes an additional $233 million to provide a total of $347 million to fully fund school transportation for the second time in as many years. The House Budget Chairman included another $55.1 million in funding for Close the Gap grants that will help Missouri families address the learning loss that occurred as a result of the pandemic. The budget includes approximately $1.4 billion for higher education and workforce development. Included in that figure is a 7% funding increase for community colleges and a 5% increase for four-year universities. The spending plan also includes an additional 2% increase for four-year institutions that will be allocated through a performance-based system. The FY 2024 budget also includes full funding for the state’s scholarship program such as Bright Flight, Access Missouri, and the A+ Scholarship Program. With the approval of the state budget, House members also showed their strong support for law enforcement and public safety. The spending plan now on its way to the Senate would provide a 20% pay increase for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Capitol Police. The budget also includes $50 million for school safety grants for Missouri schools to make physical security investments on their campuses, develop safety plans, establish school resource officer programs, and increase active threat trainings. Additionally, the budget provides an additional $2 million to the Missouri National Guard to assist with recruitment. The version of the budget approved on the House floor also includes funding for some of the governor’s top priorities. The plan has an additional $78.5 million to expand childcare access, improve facilities, and help employers increase staff wages. The House-approved budget also sets aside $56 million recommended by the governor to expand pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost. The funding for the pre-kindergarten expansion is tied to legislation that must be approved by the General Assembly. The bills now move to the Missouri Senate for consideration. The House and Senate will have to reach final agreement on the bills by Friday, May 5. Budget Highlights
Bills Sent to the Senate HB 15 is a supplemental budget bill that allocates more than $2 billion in funding for the current Fiscal Year 2023 state operating budget. HBs 651, 479 & 647 modifies the definition of "video service" for provisions of law relating to video service providers to now include streaming content. Supporters say satellite and streaming services have never been charged a franchise fee. The franchise fees are for exclusive right to the right-of-way and these services do not have infrastructure in the right-of-way. If local municipalities begin charging franchise fees on these services, consumer bills will most likely increase. HB 725 adds damaging, destroying, or making inoperable, a "teller machine", as defined in the bill, to the offense of property damage in the first degree. This offense is a class D felony; a class C felony if committed for the purpose of executing any scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain any property that exceeds $750 or the damage to the teller machine exceeds $750; and a class B felony if the damage committed was to obtain the personal financial credentials of another person or is committed as a second violation. The bill also provides that the offense of stealing is a Class C felony if the property is a teller machine or the contents of a teller machine regardless of the value or amount of cash. Supporters say this creates a penalty provision specifically for ATM "smash and grabs." There is currently no penalty for this. People have been charged with theft or property damage but not this offense specifically. The term "smash and grab" involves destroying an ATM to take its contents. This often happens in the middle of the night and involves using heavy equipment. A lot of times this causes a total loss to the machine, which can cost $30,000-$80,000 and oftentimes these machines are the only way for people to access essential finances. HBs 913 & 428 modifies provisions relating to licensed child care facilities. Currently, a person caring for up to six children, with a maximum of three children under the age of two, can operate an unlicensed child care facility. Under this bill, that would change to a person caring for four children, with a maximum of two children under the age of one and a maximum of four children under the age of two. Currently, up to two children who are five years old or older that are related to the child care provider within the third degree will not be included in the maximum number of children for which the family child care home is licensed. This bill allows up to four children related to the child care provider within the third degree to not be counted, regardless of the child's age or if there are multiple members responsible for the child care home that have related children being served there. Supporters say the bill cleans up language in statute that caused unintended consequences. The bill will incentivize unlicensed providers to become licensed, which will give the Department more oversight to protect the children. There is a need for daycare services and this bill will open up space for more service to be provided. HB 863 governs disclosure to customers when a broker-dealer or agent incorporates a social objective or nonfinancial objective into certain aspects of its advisory business relating to the purchase or sale of a security or commodity or the selection of a third-party manager or subadviser to manage the investments in the customer's account. The bill also governs green bonds which are a type of bond instrument where the proceeds are exclusively used to finance or re-finance eligible green projects. HB 356 amends the definition of “business income” to include the total combined profit as properly reported to the IRS on each Schedule F form, as well as the total combined profit as properly reported to the IRS on each Form 4835. The bill also clarifies that a certain percentage of an individual’s business income subtracted from the individual’s federal adjusted gross income to the extent that the income is not otherwise subtracted or deducted in determining the individual’s Missouri taxable income. The bill increases an individual's income tax adjustments related to private pensions in the following manner: (1) Married Filing Combined -- increased from $32,000 to $64,000; (2) Single, Head of Household -- increased from $25,000 to $50,000; and (3) Married Filing Separate -- increased from $16,000 to $32,000. Supporters say increasing taxpayer income levels for tax deduction on their private pension will help to ensure that individuals and families have a larger source of funds during retirement. This will ease the burden of paying monthly expenses, and allow taxpayers to enjoy their retirement years. HB 1162 this bill requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish a medical residency grant program, awarding grants to entities operating residency beyond the currently existing medical residency positions that is within the fields of primary care. Funding will be available on a scaled basis and the Department must expend moneys in the order provided in the bill. Supporters say that while there are plenty of students, there are not enough residency slots, and the federal government has not funded slots to keep pace with the growth in medical enrollment. Missouri is by far not the only state dealing with a critical healthcare provider shortage, but may face a collapse of the statewide healthcare system in the next decade if measures are not taken to address the issues. Moreover, the state in which a medical graduate practices their residency is indicative of where they will practice medicine upon completion of the program. Missouri, overall, is a net exporter of medical students to out-of-state residency programs. HB 766 specifies that the Department of Health and Senior Services will require all employees, contractors who do work at a marijuana facility for more than 14 days per year, owners, and volunteers of marijuana facilities to submit fingerprints to the State Highway Patrol for the purpose of conducting a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check. Supporters say the bill deals with background checks for marijuana facilities and only certain people who work for these facilities will have to submit to fingerprints and background checks. This will make sure the state stays in compliance with federal law and Amendment 3. HBs 971 & 970 establishes the "Missouri Employment First Act". The act specifies that all state agencies that provide employment-related services or services or support to persons with disabilities are required to coordinate with other agencies, promote competitive integrated employment, and implement an employment-first policy when providing services to persons with disabilities of working age. In addition, state agencies will offer specified information to all working-age persons with disabilities and to the parents or guardians of youth with a disability. The bill makes changes to the state’s Ticket to Work health insurance program within MO HealthNet. The key provisions increase the limit to how much a person can earn before they would lose benefits under Ticket to Work and disregard up to $50,000 of a spouse’s income, relative to that limit. Supporters say any step forward to break down barriers for disabled people to better participate in society is worthwhile. The bill shows the rest of the country that Missouri is committed to including disabled workers in their businesses and workforce, and recognizes said workers as an untapped population of individuals to grow and maintain an inclusive workforce development. HB 1133 modifies provisions relating to credit toward the service of a sentence of imprisonment by changing the beginning of the credit accrual to after the offense occurred, as opposed to the current provision of after conviction. This credit must be based upon the certification of the sheriff, and may be supplemented by a certificate of a sheriff or other custodial officer from another jurisdiction having held the person on the charge of the offense for which the sentence is ordered. The court, when pronouncing sentence, may award additional credit for time spent in prison, jail, or custody before the commencement of the sentence for those in which the person was incarcerated, but for whom no detainer or warrant was served. The total amount of credit must not be more than the number of days between the date of the offense and the commencement of the sentence. Supporters say the bill helps address the various nuances when awarding jail time credit, such as defendant mobility throughout the state, providing credit for time already served, and ensuring that no offender or inmate would be required to do doubletime. Post-conviction motions relating to recalculation and resentencing may be reduced as well. HB 1015 allows the chief law enforcement executive for any law enforcement agency to request assistance from a law enforcement agency in another jurisdiction, including from outside the state but within the United States. The bill creates provisions for how arrests are handled if executed by an officer outside of his or her jurisdiction. The bill also specifies that, for benefits and other employment-related matters, law enforcement officers remain employees of their respective law enforcement agencies throughout any request for assistance. Supporters say that border counties and jurisdictions in Missouri would benefit greatly from this bill in responding to incidents and emergencies. There are currently 45 sheriffs that have jurisdictions that border other states. This bill is an effective tool to enhance officer safety and the safety of the public. This bill is discretionary, not requiring any action or agreement between law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions, but instead empowering such agencies and jurisdictions to cooperate and seek assistance when necessary. Missouri is unique in that it shares its border with eight other states. This bill would empower law enforcement to seek aid from one of Missouri's many neighboring states. Incidents and emergencies requiring law enforcement response can require vastly more personnel and resources than are available to a single law enforcement agency. This bill ensures mutual aid to protect the public in response to such incidents and emergencies. HB 207 requires that used motor vehicles get an inspection at the seller's expense no more than 60 days prior to a sale. The inspection is not required for vehicles having less than 40,000 miles for the three-year period following the model year of manufacture. The bill also provides that the application for a Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation emblem license plate and payment of the $25 contribution may be made at the time of registration to the Director of the Department of Revenue, who must deposit the contribution to the credit of the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. HB 403 increases the number of qualified applicants who may be awarded loans under the Large Animal Veterinary Student Loan Program from six to 12 per academic year and provides that the Department of Agriculture may increase this number beyond 12 if the amount of any additional moneys from private grants, gifts, donations, devises, or bequests of moneys, funds, real or personal property, or other assets deposited in the fund allows the full funding of such increase in the number of applicants. The bill expands the sources of funding for the Veterinary Student Loan Payment Fund to include any private grant, gift, donation, devise, or bequest of moneys, funds, real or personal property, or other asset. Supporters say that since the inception of the program, Missouri has awarded scholarships to 38 veterinary medicine students and more than 85% of recipients are still serving in rural areas of the state. Last year, 21 students applied for the six scholarships available. This bill would provide financial support for at least an additional six veterinary medicine students, which would help the livestock industry in this state by increasing the number of students who specialize large animal medicine and return to rural Missouri. Additionally, it renames the "Dr. Merrill Townley Large Animal Veterinary Student Loan Program" to the "Dr. Merrill Townley and Dr. Dan Brown Large Animal Veterinary Student Loan Program". HB 225 establishes the "Missouri Nuclear Clean Power Act", which allows clean baseload electric generating plants or facilities rated at 600 megawatts or less that utilize renewable sources to produce energy not in commercial operation as of August 28, 2023, to charge for costs associated with construction work in progress before the facility is operational. Supporters say only two states have a complete ban on charging ratepayers for construction work in progress. Coal and nuclear fueled power generation are the only two sources that can operate without interruption from outside events. However, only a new nuclear plant would meet more stringent air emissions requirements. Without this bill, building new baseload generation is cost prohibitive. HBs 882 & 518 requires the Department of Transportation to pay all costs associated with the designation of memorial highways and bridges honoring deceased Missouri veterans who died in the line of duty, Missouri members of the armed forces who are missing in action, deceased Missouri law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, and deceased Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty. Supporters say the state should not be "selling" signs for those who sacrifice their lives for us. HB 631 modifies provisions relating to the Department of Natural Resources. The bill modifies the Industrial Minerals Advisory Council make up so that the eight representatives can come from any of the specified industries including limestone quarry operators, granite mining, clay mining, sandstone mining, barite mining, sand and gravel mining, or other nonmetallic surface mining, but no industry may have more than four representatives. Supporters say that currently the Industrial Minerals Advisory Council has trouble obtaining a quorum to conduct business. The changes to the council membership will provide flexibility in appointing members and allow for broader representation from the mining industries. The bill also extends various fees and the authority of certain commissions and councils. 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 jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent The biggest single building project in Gov. Mike Parson’s budget – $859 million to widen three sections of Interstate 70 – will have to be pared back if lawmakers divert funds to other highways, Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna said Tuesday.
McKenna spent part of the day answering questions about MoDOT appropriations as the House Budget Committee works through Parson’s $51.6 billion spending plan for all of state government. The goal, Chairman Cody Smith said, is to be ready to amend the budget when lawmakers return after their upcoming mid-session break. The funding for the I-70 project would be almost 20% of the proposed $4.8 billion MoDOT budget for the coming fiscal year. In subcommittee work, amendments to take $48 million from the I-70 plan passed, with the money being redirected to a five-mile project on Interstate 44 in Springfield and an environmental impact study for improvements to the entire I-44 corridor. Widening I-70 to three lanes in each direction would cost an estimated $2.7 billion. Parson’s plan would dedicate $859 million to add lanes through Boone County in central Missouri, and extend the sections with three lanes in the suburban Kansas City and St. Louis areas. State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, asked McKenna what he would do if the cuts approved in the subcommittee remain in place. Cuts would have to be found, he replied. “We have estimates on those three projects that total $859 million and we’d have to reconsider the scope,” McKenna said. “We would probably cut down, depending on where we would find that – we’d have to do further analysis – but it would just be a reduction in scope.” Lawmakers have control of how much is dedicated to I-70 because Parson is tapping the bulging general revenue surplus – estimated to be $4.9 billion on June 30 – to fund it. The main source of MoDOT funding is off-limits to lawmakers, but that could change. Questioning of McKenna began in the committee’s morning session and resumed after the House, in floor action, voted 101-45 in favor of a state constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers control of the state road fund. Currently, money from fuel taxes, license fees and vehicle sales taxes to maintain highways“stand appropriated without legislative action.” The proposed constitutional amendment now goes to the Senate where, if approved, it would be put on a statewide ballot. During the hearing, Rep. Scott Cupps, R-Shell Knob, peppered McKenna with questions about how I-70 was chosen over other projects, such as I-44. “Is this something that stems from the fact that I-70 does go through what I have coined as being the bureaucrat bubble?” Cupps asked. Cupps, who drives a truck, said he doesn’t believe the congestion on I-70 outside urban “pinch points” is as bad as it is on I-44. There are several reasons I-70 is getting priority, McKenna said. It is the oldest interstate highway in the state system and more in need of general reconstruction. An environmental study done 20 years ago is faster to update than an entirely new study. And the plan proposed by Parson is based on available resources and identified needs. It does not fund the entire project, McKenna noted. “They looked at those very things on those rural stretches of I-70,” McKenna said of Parson’s staff “And they didn’t believe that at this time adding general revenue for those specific sections would be the right way to go.” The Highways and Transportation Commission supports an appropriation for an environmental study of I-44, McKenna said. “We’d focus on those areas like Springfield and Joplin, where you have similar issues,” McKenna said. “And that’s the approach that we’re trying to take, to identify and deal with the problems that we have today.” 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.
Coleman’s Legislation Update: This week I filed HB 1066 regarding tattooing/micro blading. Women and men are going to individuals to permanently tattoo/micro blade their eyebrows. This procedure is increasing in popularity; and more and more people are walking away with unpleasant results. This bill if passed would require the individuals that are performing this procedure to uphold the same requirements and penalties as a tattoo artist. Please find below a link with further details regarding nation and state-wide guidelines. https://www.pmuhub.com/microblading/licensing-regulations/ Furthermore this week my HB 454 regarding increase charges on sexual offenses involving a minor was heard in Children and Families Committee. This bill increases the age of the minors that are victims of grooming, enticement, and prostitution, this will mirror the federal government guidelines. It also increases the charges/penalties of the perpetrators luring our children away from their families. Missouri House Approves Vital Public Safety Legislation (HB 301) House Speaker Dean Plocher and the members of the Missouri House of Representatives took an important step this week to provide assistance to areas of the state plagued by violent crime. The House approved HB 301 by a vote of 109-35. It was during his Opening Day Address that Speaker Plocher told his colleagues they “cannot be bystanders as unchecked crime causes the systematic destruction of our proud state.” He called on House members to make it a priority to enact common sense reforms and provide the resources necessary to protect every Missouri community. Plocher said HB 301 represents a good faith effort by the legislature to provide assistance to areas of the state such as St. Louis where violent crime has run rampant. “As someone who is from St. Louis and who cares deeply about the families and businesses who call our part of the state home, I want to do everything we can to ensure we have safe communities where kids live without fear and criminals know they will be prosecuted for their violent actions,” said Plocher. “However, with hundreds of murders each year and thousands of unprosecuted criminal cases, we see a St. Louis that is anything but safe and that drives people and employers away from our area. I’m confident HB 301 can give us an important tool to restore law and order to St. Louis or any part of our state where violent crime has grown out of control.” HB 301 is a wide-ranging public safety bill that includes a key provision that would allow the governor to appoint a special prosecutor in areas of the state with an excessive homicide rate. The bill specifies the governor would be empowered to appoint a prosecutor in any circuit or prosecuting attorney’s jurisdiction that has a homicide rate in excess of 35 cases per 100,000 people and where the governor determines there is a threat to public safety and health. The special prosecutor would be appointed for a period of up to five years. The sponsor of HB 301, who previously served as director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, said it’s important that the state act to help with the problem of violent crime in St. Louis or in any part of the state. “Crime in our state, and across the nation, is a concern but particularly in our urban areas where at this point at least one of our communities has a per capita crime rate that more than doubles the per capita crime rate of Chicago,” said the bill sponsor. “I’ve been told that I shouldn’t be meddling in this community’s business, but I would submit to you and anyone else who wants to listen, I am not a meddler. I’m not an outsider. I’m a Missourian. In the past five years 1,043 Missourians have died in the city limits of St. Louis. That is not acceptable. It would not matter where in this state such a thing occurred, it would still not be acceptable.” HB 301 specifies that the prosecutor appointed by the governor would have exclusive jurisdiction to initiate and prosecute offenses specified in the bill. The state will provide funding to the special prosecutor, who would be authorized to hire up to 15 assistant special prosecuting attorneys and up to 15 staff members. HB 301 also contains several other provisions designed to improve public safety in Missouri. The bill would establish the Peace Officer Basic Training Tuition Reimbursement Program to help address the shortage of police officers in some parts of the state. The bill would also ensure the Department of Corrections to implement a policy to help offenders apply for Medicaid and obtain vital documents such as a birth certificate or Social Security card. Additionally, the legislation establishes factors for a judge or judicial officer to consider when setting bail, includes protections for a judicial officer’s personal information, and creates Blair’s Law. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. House Approves Bill to Allow Direct Access to Physical Therapy (HBs 115 & 99) Lawmakers gave strong bipartisan approval this week to legislation that would allow patients to have direct access to physical therapy. The Missouri House approved HBs 115 & 99 by a vote of 147-1. The sponsor of the bill noted that 47 states currently allow some form of direct access to physical therapy. She pointed out that studies show patients with direct access have fewer visits and less overall cost. “Direct access is about individual choice in health care decisions through the elimination of unnecessary and burdensome regulations,” said the bill’s sponsor. She added, “Allowing individuals to make their own decisions regarding their own health care is really great policy, and eliminating the referral requirements is one step to making health care more accessible to all people.” Under HBs 115 & 99 a physical therapist would no longer need a prescription or referral from a doctor in order to evaluate and initiate treatment on a patient. To qualify, the physical therapist would need a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree or five years of clinical practice as a physical therapist. The bill also states the physical therapist must refer to an approved health care provider any patient whose condition is beyond the physical therapist's scope of practice, or any patient who does not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement after 10 visits or 30 days, whichever occurs first. The bill’s sponsor said, “Physical therapists are qualified to recognize when a patient presents with signs and symptoms outside the scope of their practice and their expertise, and they will always refer to a physician if that’s the case.” Additionally, the bill requires the physical therapist to consult with an approved health care provider before continuing therapy if after 10 visits or 30 business days, whichever occurs first, the patient has demonstrated measurable or functional improvement from the physical therapy and the physical therapist believes that continuation of physical therapy is necessary. Continued physical therapy must be in accordance with any direction of the health care provider and the therapist must notify the health care provider of continuing physical therapy every 30 days. Similar measures have received House approval in recent years, but have failed to make their way into law. The bill’s sponsor is optimistic her bill will make it through both chambers and to the governor’s desk this year. She said, “I think we should make Missouri competitive with our neighboring states and allow our constituents the opportunity to seek the health care that they desire and in the meantime save money and get their lives back free of pain.” She added, “There is no reason why Missouri should be the most restrictive state in the nation for patients to be able to see physical therapists.” The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Missouri House Approves Supplemental Budget Bill (HB 14) This week the members of the Missouri House approved a supplemental spending bill that will allocate additional funds for the current state operating budget. The House gave initial approval to the bill by a vote of 148-2. In total, the bill allocates more than $627 million in funding. Some of the highlights of the supplementing spending plan include:
The bill now requires a final vote in the House before moving to the Senate. Lawmakers Receive the Annual State of the Judiciary Address Members from the House and Senate gathered in the House Chamber this week to receive the annual State of the Judiciary Address. Delivered by Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul C. Wilson, the address focused on the importance of preserving public trust in the judicial branch, the essential role technology plays in making courts open and accessible, the success of treatment courts, and the impact of the growing mental health crisis. Wilson asked legislators to help make the public understand and trust the judicial system. Wilson said, “I doubt you agree with every decision the seven of us make, let alone the hundreds of thousands of decisions made every year by trial judges all around this state. I know I don’t. So, if you want to tell your constituents you think we got it wrong, that’s your right. But when you do, take a minute to explain that – even when you think we got it wrong – you know judges are just public servants like you; doing their best to decide cases based on the facts and their best understanding of the law … because I promise you that’s true.” Wilson also stressed the importance of the technology and automation steps Missouri courts have taken to be more open and accessible. Wilson said, “These innovations have not only revolutionized how we work, they’ve fundamentally changed how Missourians interact with their court system.” He highlighted the eJuror system as well as the fact most traffic cases can be resolved online. Wilson also mentioned how remote video appearances are now a permanent, indispensable part of the judicial landscape. Wilson urged lawmakers to renew a filing fee that helps fund court automation. During his address, Wilson also focused his comments on the positive impact treatment courts have had on defendants with mental health and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Wilson said, “Each treatment court success story means a prison term or a life altering felony conviction avoided. It means strengthening our communities by helping one person at a time break the cycle of addiction before it lands them in prison. But even more important, every one of these success stories means a family restored, not shattered; a constructive life returned to society, not lost to incarceration; and – so many times – it means a parent who is there to play a meaningful role in their children’s lives, not someone those kids see through a piece of plexiglass only once a month, if at all.” Wilson also noted the courts are finding themselves on the front lines of a growing mental health crisis. He said, “Too often, we are confronted with individuals manifesting mental health conditions so profound they are not even competent to stand trial.” He asked lawmakers to support the recommendation of the Missouri Justice Reinvestment Initiative to strengthen efforts to bring competency restoration services to the defendants where they are. He also asked legislators to consider passing legislation aimed at protecting judges’ private information. Please let me know If you have other concerns and suggestions. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally, please call my office at 573-751-1487, or email my office at jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov. Rep. Jeff Coleman, Missouri House of Representatives 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.
This week my HB 456 which eliminates income tax for those receiving social security benefits had a public hearing in Special Committee on Tax Reform. With inflation rates on the rise, the likes we haven’t seen since 1980s, it is essential to help ensure that many Missourians will be able to afford the basic necessities of life. This week was full of House Committee hearings. It was my honor to serve as Chairman of Professional Registration and Licensing first hearing this session. We heard HB 115 sponsored by Representative Brenda Shields and HB 99 sponsored by Representative Davidson, both regarding access to physical therapy. House Committee Advances Initiative Petition Reform Legislation (HJR 43) Legislation designed to protect the sanctity of the Missouri Constitution is moving quickly through the legislative process and is now on track for discussion on the House floor. House Speaker Dean Plocher and Speaker Pro Tem Mike Henderson said as early as next week the House will consider a constitutional amendment that would allow voters to change the initiative petition process. This week HJR 43 was approved by the House Committee on Elections and Elected Officials. If approved by the legislature and voters, the proposed constitutional amendment would change the threshold required to approve changes to the state constitution. Currently, changes to the constitution require only a simple majority for approval. HJR 43 would raise the threshold to 60 percent voter approval for passage. Henderson noted Missouri is currently one of only 18 states to allow initiative petitions for a constitutional change and has one of the easier processes in the country for amending the constitution. HJR 43 was approved by the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee by a vote of 11-5. It now moves to a House Rules Committee, which must approve the bill before it moves to the floor for discussion. The committee also passed three other proposed constitutional amendments (HJR 30, HJR 24, and HJR 25) that would modify the requirements to approve constitutional amendments. House Committees Focus on Suicide Prevention Efforts (HB 132) Two House committees met this week to discuss ways to reduce suicide in Missouri, particularly among its veterans. The House Veterans Committee took testimony on HB 132, which would task the Missouri Veterans Commission with expanding its efforts to prevent veteran suicide. The House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee received a report issued by the Interim Committee on Veterans’ Mental Health and Suicide and discussed suicide prevention methods with a focus on the importance of the 988 hotline. The sponsor of HB 132, who also chairs the House Veterans Committee and chaired the interim committee, spoke to both committees about the importance of his bill, which would give guidance to the Missouri Veterans Commission about how to use the data it collects on veteran suicides. The bill would also require the commission to report annually to the legislature on that data and what it’s doing to reduce the number of those incidents. Legislation similar to HB 132 passed out of the House unanimously last year but didn’t reach Governor Parson. The Veterans Committee will likely vote on it soon. Governor Parson Establishes Master Plan on Aging Governor Mike Parson recently signed an executive order to establish a Master Plan on Aging. The plan is designed to help reduce age and disability discrimination, eliminate barriers to safe and healthy aging, and help Missourians to age with dignity. The governor’s office noted there are currently more than 1.1 million Missouri citizens over the age of 60. Estimates suggest that older adults will outnumber minors for the first time by 2030 and older adults will greatly outnumber minors by 2060. The Executive Order calls on the Department of Health and Senior Services, with the assistance of a new Advisory Council, to develop a Master Plan on Aging for the State of Missouri that addresses the needs and health outcomes for older adults and individuals with disabilities. The department is tasked with finalizing the Master Plan on Aging by December 31, 2025, and releasing a public report. Please let me know If you have other concerns and suggestions. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally, please call my office at 573-751-1487, or email my office at jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov. 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.
Coleman’s Legislation Update: Currently I will be sponsoring eleven house bills. These bills are:
Furthermore, I am honored to be appointed the Chair of Professional Registration and Licensing Committee for the second term in a row. I was also appointed as a member of the Elections and Elected Officials Committee, Insurance Policy, and Special Committee on Urban Issues Committee. |
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