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Coleman Legislation Update
My proposed Constitutional amendment, HJR 80, dealing with property tax assessments, was unanimously voted out of committee this week. We are very excited and encouraged that this bill had no opposition. HB 2615 (School COVID Mandates) was also voted out of committee this week. This bill would prohibit school districts (and staff) from mandating mask wearing or a Covid-19 vaccination as a condition to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities. HJR 80 and HB 2615 have both been assigned the House Rules- Administrative Oversight committee. HB 2616 raises the criminal charge associated with patronizing prostitution and was voted out of the House Rules-Administrative Oversight committee unanimously, as well. We are glad to see this bill steadily moving through the process. Lastly, HB 1641 which would make an employer liable for any injuries caused by employer mandated vaccination, has been placed on the informal House perfection calendar. Missouri House Approves Plan to Legalize Sports Betting (HBs 2502 & 2556) Missourians would be able to wager on college and professional sports under legislation approved by the House this week. Lawmakers gave approval to HB 2502 to allow legalized sports betting in Missouri in either casinos or through a licensed mobile app. The bill is the result of a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that struck down a federal prohibition on sports betting. Since that time, nearly 30 states, including many of Missouri’s neighboring states, have adopted legislation to allow some form of wagering on sporting events. Supporters noted that Missouri needs to legalize sports betting to keep revenues generated by the industry in the state. One supporter noted, “It’s happening today. We’re not stopping it by not allowing it. It’s just going underground or it’s going across the border. We should be regulating this.” HB 2502 would implement an 8% tax on sports wagers. Fiscal analysts estimate the tax would generate approximately $10 million annually for the state. The bill’s sponsor noted that the legislation has the support of all of the state’s professional sports teams and five of the six companies who operate casinos in Missouri. An amendment added to the bill requires an annual report to assess the social and economic effects of gaming in the state and to obtain information related to compulsive gambling. The provision would require the state to provide resources to assist individuals with a compulsive gambling problem. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Lawmakers Act to Protect the Rights of Landowners (HB 2005) The Missouri House took action this week to protect land owners from having their property unlawfully seized through the misuse of eminent domain. House members gave initial approval to HB 2005, which is a direct response to the Grain Belt Express project that has the authority to use eminent domain to acquire land in Missouri. Grain Belt Express is a high-voltage electric transmission line that will run approximately 800 miles from Kansas to Indiana. In 2019, the project was granted the authority to obtain land easements in Missouri through the use of eminent domain. The bill’s sponsor told his colleagues, “The Grain Belt is a private out-of-state company that is using eminent domain as a public utility. There is very little benefit for the state of Missouri. Only six percent of the power is going to be used here in our state.” The sponsor said the bill is a response to the land owners who are pleading with the legislature for help. He said the bill, “ensures utility projects in Missouri actually benefit the state of Missouri. It provides just compensation for land owners when their land is being taken from them and it’s being condemned. It also incentivizes negotiations outside the court process.” HB 2005 would require that any electrical corporation that proposes building a transmission line must provide a minimum of 50% of its electrical load to Missouri consumers to be considered a public service and to be allowed to condemn property to construct the transmission. The bill also specifies that in condemnation proceedings, just compensation for agricultural or horticultural land will be 150% of fair market value, which will be determined by the court. Additionally, the bill states that in a condemnation proceeding for agricultural or horticultural land in which a court appoints three disinterested commissioners, at least one of the commissioners must be a farmer who has been farming in the county for at least 10 years. The bill now requires another positive vote in the House before moving to the Senate. Making Prescription Medications More Affordable (HB 1677) Missourians could see lower prescription drug costs thanks to legislation approved by the Missouri House of Representatives. House members gave first-round approval to HB 1677 with the goal of improving transparency and accountability for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Missouri. PBMs are paid third-party administrators of prescription drug coverage for insurers and employers. They provide a wide variety of services including developing and maintaining formularies, processing claims, and negotiating discounts and rebates between payers and manufacturers. PBMs manage plans for millions of Americans. The bill’s sponsor said the bill “will reduce prescription drug costs” and noted his bill is meant to help Missourians “understand what goes on with the rebate monies that PBMs are handling for their employers.” The sponsor told his colleagues, “It offers transparency. It shows where the rebate moneys go and as you look at where the rebate money goes, you will determine that these PBMs are actually pocketing some of the rebate moneys that they collect that should be going back to the patients. This is a bill that puts the moneys back in the patients’ hands instead of paying shareholders’ dividends.” HB 1677 would require PBMs to report the dollar amount of rebates collected from pharmaceutical manufacturers, the dollar amount of rebates that were not passed on, and the dollar amount of all fees and payments received from pharmaceutical manufacturers. The bill also specifies that PBMs must notify health carriers and pharmacies in writing of any potential conflict of interest, including but not limited to common ownership or any other relationship between the PBM and any other health carrier or pharmacy with which the PBM contracts. Supporters say the legislation will help restore the balance in the health care system and ensure Missourians have sustainable access to medications and choice in where they receive their pharmacy services. The bill now requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate. Bills Sent to the Senate HB 2694 is meant to lessen the increases Missourians will see in their property taxes due to rising vehicle values. The bill modifies existing state law, which requires assessors to use the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) price guide to assess the values of Missourians’ cars. Instead of being restricted to using October’s NADA values, HB 2694 would allow assessors to use the trade-in value for a given vehicle from that edition or either of the last two years’ October NADA guides. Supporters say the market price of vehicles has increased 30 to 40 percent and the bill would allow for prices to stabilize without a large increase in Missourians' personal property taxes. HB 1856 establishes the "Extended Learning Opportunities Act". An "extended learning opportunity" is an out-of-classroom learning experience that provides a student with enrichment opportunities, career readiness or employability skills opportunities such as internships or apprenticeships, any other approved educational opportunities. The bill requires that by the 2023-24 school year the State Board of Education and local school boards must inform students of the opportunity to participate and earn credit for extended learning opportunities. Supporters say the bill ensures students and their families are well-informed about opportunities for learning that extend beyond the classroom and that they are provided information on applying to receive credit for those experiences. HB 1962 modifies the definition of "local log truck" and "local log truck tractor" to specify weight distribution and a total maximum weight for each truck, and updates weight and distance limits. In addition, the bill also sets fines for load-limit violations involving a local log truck or a local log truck tractor. HB 2202 requires, for all school years on or after July 1, 2023, certain coursework and instruction in computer science in public and charter high schools. The bill also establishes the "Computer Science Education Task Force". The mission of the Task Force is to develop a state strategic plan for expansion of computer science education programs statewide. Supporters say the bill will help Missouri address the labor shortages experienced by technical industries that are seeking to hire individuals who have the computer science background and knowledge base. HB 2382 exempts from the definition of "retail sale" or "sale at retail" for the purposes of sales tax law the purchase by persons operating hotels, motels, or other transient accommodation establishments of certain utilities, which are used to heat, cool, or provide water or power to the guests' accommodations, and which are included in the charge made for the accommodations. Supporters say the bill fixes a Supreme Court decision that disrupted common practice by making hotels pay sales tax twice. HB 2193 requires that any member of Missouri Task Force One who is called to active duty be entitled to employment rights and discrimination protections when they are relieved from such duty. Supporters say the bill gives Task Force Once the same Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) rights that they get for working as a Federal asset. The bill will make sure they have the same protections against discrimination and reemployment rights. HB 1606 requires all non-charter counties, by June 30th of each year, to prepare and publish in a qualified newspaper a financial statement for the previous year. The financial statement will include the name, office, and current gross annual salary of each elected or appointed county official. Supporters say the bill will allow small counties to publish notice in the same manner as large counties, using the condensed format of financial statements, and should result in savings for small counties. HB 1984 modifies the Board membership of the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees' Retirement System by having the terms of the active employee representatives serving on the Board on August 28, 2026, to continue an additional two years until June 30, 2028 and after such date all terms of elected active employee representatives shall be for four years beginning July 1, 2028 and every four years thereafter. Supporters say the bill will help stagger the elected members of the board and prevent a loss of institutional knowledge every time an election occurs and all new members take office. HB 2355 establishes the "Time-Critical Diagnosis Advisory Committee" for the purpose of improvement of public and professional education related to time-critical diagnosis, research endeavors, policies and recommendations for changes. Supporters say the bill improves services for time-critical medical conditions such as strokes and heart attacks. HB 2163 provides that the surviving spouse will not be considered as next-of-kin if an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed and is pending in a court of competent jurisdiction. Additionally, the next-of-kin of a deceased person may delegate the final disposition of the deceased to an agent through a power of attorney. Supporters say the bill protects the interests of the deceased and surviving family members in the event the deceased had begun, but not finalized, divorce proceedings. 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. Legislation Update
I am pleased to announce my proposed Constitutional amendment, HJR 80, dealing with property tax assessments, has been assigned to the Special Committee on Public Policy. The committee will have a hearing on Monday, March 7th, in which HJR 80 will have its public hearing. This bill has been one of my top priorities this session so it’s rewarding to have a public hearing scheduled for it. With that in mind I encourage everyone to submit their testimony and their support for HJR 80 through the house website, https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR80&year=2022&code=R and select ‘Submit Testimony’. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m., Monday, March 7, 2022. I am hopeful that it will move through the process swiftly and get placed on the House calendar. HJR 114 and HB 2307 regarding Stop Human Trafficking have both been placed on the House calendar. I am hopeful that these two pieces of legislation will pass the House soon. On the opposite side of the Capitol, the senate is picking up speed again, after the filibuster of the last couple weeks slowed their process down. Lastly, on Thursday, March 3rd, the House debated and adopted House Resolution No. 3658, which urges President Biden to take action regarding the Ukraine and Russia conflict. Please continue to pray for those effected by the Russian invasion. House Passes Resolution to Support Ukraine (HR 3658) The members of the Missouri House have approved a resolution to express their support for Ukraine and its people, and to condemn Russia’s attack on the sovereign nation. The resolution calls Russia’s invasion “unprovoked and unjustified” and notes it is the “largest invasion of a sovereign nation in Europe since World War II.” The resolution also notes the combat is directly responsible for massive civilian casualties, including a Russian mortar attack on a children’s hospital that inflicted devastating loss of life. “We proudly stand alongside Ukraine, its people, and its leaders during this horrific and unnecessary war and vow to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its catastrophic decision to invade this sovereign nation,” said the resolution’s sponsor. HR 3658 condemns the attack in the strongest possible terms and strongly endorses swift and severe economic sanctions and stringent export controls on Russia. Additionally, the resolution urges Russia to “immediately cease its violent, illegal, and immoral assault upon Ukraine, end the needless bloodshed, and return to diplomacy and the rules-based international order that has ensured peace and prosperity for so many.” The resolution also recommends to the President and Congress to reaffirm the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine’s freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. State Leaders Announce “Missouri Stands with Ukraine” Initiative (HB 2913) House Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher has announced the new “Missouri Stands with Ukraine” initiative in response to the Russian invasion of the sovereign nation and unprovoked aggression perpetrated by Vladimir Putin on the people of Ukraine. Plocher is the sponsor of HB 2913, which targets business transactions with Russia and Russian entities. Plocher was also joined at the announcement by Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe who asked all Missouri retailers to consider voluntarily removing Russian-made or Russian-branded products from store shelves, and encouraged Missouri businesses to identify suitable product alternatives through the State’s “Buy Missouri” program. “Our message today is clear. Missouri is open for business to those who value democracy, human rights, free enterprise, and self-determination,” said Plocher. He added, “Brave Missourians – our servicemen and women – have served with honor to defend these values for over 160 years. These values made our country great and are the envy of the free world. History calls on every generation to defend freedom when necessary. We will do our small part in Missouri to lead the way.” HB 2913 directs a complete suspension of Missouri business activities involving state entities and private businesses receiving public funding are not contracting with Russia, Russian entities, or any country that is attacking or occupying a NATO member, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, or Georgia. “We in Missouri will do our small part to unite with the international community’s response to Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. We stand by the strong leadership President Zelensky as the Ukrainian people fight fearlessly and heroically against the tyranny of Putin,” Plocher said. “Missouri will do its part in this critical moment in history,” said Kehoe. “As the Buy Missouri advocate for our state, I always encourage Missourians to purchase locally, and now it is more important than ever to do so. No matter how large the transaction, even if it’s a single product on a store shelf, the amplified effect of these decisions send a direct and meaningful message to the Russian government that Missourians support Ukraine.” This week, Governor Parson ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome to shine blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian national flag, beginning at sunset March 1, 2022, until sunrise on Friday, March 4, 2022. "We join the rest of the nation and the world in expressing our condemnation of the attacks on Ukraine and this Russian assault on democracy," said Plocher. "We are proud that the Capitol dome will shine blue and yellow, showing that Missourians stand in solidarity with the freedom-loving people of Ukraine as they fight against Putin's tyranny." Strengthening the Second Amendment Rights of Missouri Citizens (HB 1462) The House has given initial approval to legislation that will expand and strengthen the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Missouri. The core provision of the bill would allow a concealed carry permit holder to lawfully carry firearms on public transportation. It would also allow anyone with a permit to carry a firearm while traveling by bus. This bill would not apply to property of Amtrak or any partnership in which Amtrak engages. The bill’s sponsor said, “It ensures the right of self-defense. It allows those who’ve undergone CCW firearms training to carry while aboard our public transportation systems that they fund with their own tax dollars.” During the committee process, a provision known as Blair’s Law was added to the bill. Blair’s Law is meant to criminalize in state statute what’s known as “celebratory gunfire.” It’s named for Blair Shanahan Lane, who was struck in the neck by a bullet fired from more than a half-mile away. The provision’s sponsor said, “I don’t think that anybody goes out there with the intention of hoping that one of these bullets hurts someone or damages property … but I think we just have to educate people that these bullets do come down.” During discussion on the House floor, lawmakers added an amendment to lower the age requirement from 19 to 18 years of age or older for a concealed carry permit. The amendment’s sponsor noted that 18 year olds are able to serve in the military and said, “The thought is that if you can die for your country, you ought to be able to – if you meet all the requirements, the training, the application, pay the fee – you ought to be able to have a conceal and carry permit in the state of Missouri.” Another amendment added to the bill would remove the prohibition on the carrying of firearms in churches and other places of worship by a person with a valid concealed carry permit. The amendment’s sponsor told his colleagues that 40 other states have passed similar laws. The sponsor said, “This does make churches safer.” He added, “This would give protections to those people to defend themselves who have the training and have a CCW.” The bill now needs a final vote in the House before heading to the Senate. House Moves to Protect Funding for the Kansas City Police Department (HB 1986) House members passed a bill this week designed to ensure the Kansas City Police Department receives the funding it needs. The House approved the bill in response to efforts by the city to remove $42 million from a previously-agreed-upon budget for the department. The bill’s sponsor pointed out that existing state law makes it clear the department will receive 20 percent of the city’s general revenue, but Kansas City’s mayor and some city council members earmarked city revenues into other funds so that the general revenue fund would contain less funding than it should. While a Jackson County judge ruled the effort to defund the police department violated state law, the bill’s sponsor said it is important to improve existing statute to make certain similar attempts don’t occur in the future. The sponsor said the goal of the bill is to ensure the city is not able to “artificially manipulate the general fund to manipulate therefore the budget for the Kansas City Police Department.” HB 1986 clarifies state law to say that, for the purpose of cities calculating one-fifth of general revenue that must be allocated to funding a police department, general revenue of the cities that is devoted to special purposes or allocated to special funds by the cities' charter and ordinances must be included in the calculation. The bill does exempt any tax or appropriation for funding first responders from the calculation. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. House Gives Initial Approval to Workforce Diploma Program (HB 2325) This week the House gave preliminary approval to legislation meant to help the thousands of Missourians who do not have a high school degree. The bill establishes the Workforce Diploma Program under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program is designed to assist Missourians in obtaining a high school diploma and developing employability and career technical skills. Supporters say there are currently more than 445,000 adults in the state who don’t have a diploma. The bill’s sponsor said the program will help Missourians “attain that high school diploma so that they can have a chance at having a better job or getting a raise, maybe even getting employer-sponsored health care and just improving their work prospects.” Under the program, the department would contract with providers that can administer the program. The bill’s sponsor told his colleagues it’s a “pay-for-performance” system so providers would only be paid if they are successful in helping Missourians obtain credits toward a diploma. During discussion on the House floor, the bill also had an amendment added that would require students in public and charter schools to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before being eligible for a certificate of graduation. The sponsor noted students in Missouri missed out on approximately $9 million in aid last year because they didn’t fill out an application for federal student aid. The provision does include an exemption for a student's enlistment in the Armed Forces, or parental consent that student has chosen not to file for FAFSA. Another amendment added during floor discussion would establish the Extended Learning Opportunities Act. The amendment’s sponsor said the program would allow students to “discover, develop, and apply their talents to areas of interest that could help them realize their full potential and become an asset in the marketplace of today’s employment opportunities.” The bill must now receive final approval in the House before moving to the Senate. House Passes Bill to Address Substitute Teacher Shortage (HB 2304) Members of the Missouri House took action to address the substitute teacher shortage that is causing major problems for schools around the state. The House gave first-round approval to legislation to create opportunities to increase the number of substitutes that are available to schools. “This bill is really addressing an issue that’s very prevalent in our state today. Our schools are having a very difficult time acquiring substitute teachers,” said the bill’s sponsor. He added, “This bill just tries to open up the lane for substitute teachers to make it as wide as possible.” HB 2304 would provide a four year certificate for individuals who want to substitute teach. Under the bill, applicants for certification must complete a background check and also have at least 36 college hours or have completed a 20 hour online training. The bill also requires individuals to have a high school diploma or equivalence. Additionally, the bill provides an alternative route to certification for qualified individuals with technical or business expertise or Armed Forces experience and a superintendent sponsorship. The bill requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate. House Gives Initial Approval to Missouri CROWN Act (HBs 1743 & 2185) The House has given first-round approval to legislation that would help prevent discrimination against school children based on their hair styles. House members gave bipartisan support to the bill, which is known as the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. The bill’s sponsor told his colleagues that the legislation is designed to “fix the fact that students currently can be subjected to discrimination in the classrooms not based on the content of their character but on the hair that grows out of their heads naturally.” The legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis of wearing protective hairstyles in educational institutions that receive or benefit from state financial assistance or state student financial aid. The bill also authorizes educational institutions to require hair nets and hair coverings for safety purposes in career and technical training courses. The bill now requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate. Protecting Businesses from Costly Mandates (HB 1584) Lawmakers gave initial approval to legislation this week that would protect businesses from government mandates that force them to foot the bill for new electric vehicle charging stations. The bill’s sponsor said his legislation comes in response to a disturbing trend. He said, “There is a movement across the country to mandate that small businesses and shopping centers and churches and recreational facilities be required to install electric charging stations whenever they make improvements to their business.” He noted that St. Louis County has an ordinance that says if you expand your parking lot or change the nature of your business, you have to add electric charging stations. He called the ordinance an “overreach of local government.” “Building codes are meant for the safety of the citizens. They’re always there to make sure that whatever we build is something that will be done in a manner that is safe and secure,” said the sponsor. “These particular types of building codes are not for safety. They’re there to push forward a political agenda.” HB 1584 says that any local subdivision that has a regulation or code that requires the installation of electric vehicle charging stations must pay all costs associated with the installation, maintenance, and operation of the stations. The bill does not prohibit private businesses or property owners from paying for the installation and operation of electric vehicle charging stations if they choose to do so. The legislation needs another vote in the House before moving to the Senate. Protecting the Rights of Belief-Based Student Groups (HB 1724) Belief-based student groups on college campuses would have their rights protected under legislation approved this week by the Missouri House. Lawmakers gave initial approval to HB 1724 to protect these groups from being discriminated against because of their sincerely held beliefs. The bill would prohibit public institutions of higher learning from taking any action or enforcing any policy that denies a belief-based student association benefits available to other student associations. The bill also prohibits discrimination against a belief-based student association based on its requirement that leaders of the association adhere to its sincerely held beliefs, sincere practice requirements, or standards of conduct. “HB 1724 is designed to protect a long-standing practice in Missouri where belief-based clubs of all creeds and points of view are free to operate as registered student clubs and require that their leaders adhere to the group’s sincerely held beliefs,” said the bill’s sponsor. He added, “This is really just common sense. A pro-choice club should not be required to let a pro-life student serve as its president and a Baptist student club should not be required to let an atheist teach its bible studies.” 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. Legislation Update
We are officially a month into the 2022 legislative session. In addition to the eight bills I have already filed, I decided to file two more pieces of legislation: HB 2615 and HB 2616. HB 2615 seeks to prohibit both mask mandates and Covid 19 vaccination mandates in public schools. HB 2616 will raise the criminal charges associated with a patronizing prostitution and raising the age from 15 to 18 which is already reflected in federal law. I am also co-sponsoring some new bills: HB 1713 and HB 1637. HB 1713 is being sponsored by Representative Alex Riley and establishes the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act". It provides that no public official may issue an order that limits or prohibits a religious group or place of worship from holding religious services or meetings. HB 1713 has already been voted out of the Judiciary Committee and has been assigned to the Rules Committee where it should be heard in the upcoming weeks. The second bill I am co-sponsoring is HB 1637 sponsored by Representative Adam Schwadron. If passed, HB 1637 would establish the offense of mail theft and is an effort to combat porch piracy by putting in place charges and fines. Legislature Halts Activity Due to Winter Storm Out of an abundance of caution due to the impending winter storm, the members of the Missouri General Assembly briefly paused their legislative activities for the week. Lawmakers held session and participated in public hearings Monday and Tuesday, but canceled scheduled floor sessions and hearings for Wednesday and Thursday. House leadership made the decision with the goal of keeping members and staff safe, as well as to ensure the safety of the many members of the public who travel to the Capitol to attend hearings. The House will return on Sunday, February 6 for a technical session and then will return to its normal schedule on Monday, February 7. Missouri House Approves Kratom Consumer Protection Act (HB 1667) The Missouri House has once again approved legislation meant to ensure the substance known as kratom can be safely purchased and used by adults in Missouri. Known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, the bill would create a regulatory framework to protect Missourians from kratom products that have been adulterated or contaminated with dangerous substances. The bill also would prevent the substance from being sold to those under the age of 18. Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree in Southeast Asia. It is often marketed as an energy booster, pain reliever, and even as an antidote for opioid withdrawal. Kratom is legal in Missouri and currently is not addressed in Missouri law. The bill’s sponsor said the Kratom Consumer Protection Act is necessary because some versions of the product have been inappropriately labeled and contaminated with other substances. “There are bad actors in the marketplace that have taken kratom and have mixed it with other dangerous substances and packaged and sold it across Missouri, and that has caused problems,” said the sponsor. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act would ensure kratom products are labeled accurately, and would prohibit dealers from selling kratom products that are contaminated with a dangerous non-kratom substance. The bill also states that dealers will not sell kratom products to anyone under the age of 18. The bill now requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate for consideration. The House approved similar legislation last year, but the bill failed to secure passage in the Senate before the legislative session ended. House Approves Bill to Improve Opioid Addiction Treatment and Prevention Services (HB 2162) The General Assembly would have greater flexibility when appropriating funds to fight opioid addiction thanks to a piece of legislation now on its way to the Senate. House members approved HB 2162 to expand access to the Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Fund to pay for opioid addiction treatment and prevention services. The fund was originally created in anticipation of a settlement with opioid distributors. In July of 2021, the Missouri Attorney General announced the state had reached a settlement with Johnson & Johnson and multiple opioid distributors. If all municipalities in Missouri sign onto the proposed settlement, the state will receive just over half a billion dollars. These funds would be used for addiction treatment, recovery, and intervention programs. The legislation approved this week modifies the Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Fund so the legislature can allocate funds to all of the state departments and agencies that play a role in providing addiction treatment. Right now the General Assembly has the authority to appropriate the funds to the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Health and Senior Services, and the Department of Social Services. The legislation adds to that list the Department of Corrections, the Judiciary, and the Office of Administration. The bill’s sponsor said, “We just want to make sure these funds are able to be utilized in the most appropriate way possible to help combat the effects of opioid misuse and abuse, which unfortunately we continue to see in our state and around the country. We hope that this will make a difference to that end for Missourians.” The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. 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. Legislation Update We have hit the ground running for this second week of session. To start, I have filed my final bill that I will be sponsoring this session. My coroners’ bill, which would provide flexibility to county coroners’ salaries. In a continuation of last session, I am once again chairman of the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee this year. The committee had our first hearing this week. We heard two bills dealing with modifying provisions related to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Lastly this week, my vaccine liability bill, HB 1641, was heard in the judiciary committee. As stated in the past, this bill would make employers liable for damages or injuries that may arise as a result of a required vaccination of an employee. We had a lot of testimony in favor of HB 1641 and I want to personally thank everyone who took the time to show their support of this bill, whether it was filling out a form online or in person: Laron Bryant, Melinda Clark-Sann, and Kris Shilt. House Committee Approves Congressional Redistricting Map (HB 2117) Legislation that will establish new boundaries for Missouri’s eight congressional districts is one step closer to consideration on the House floor. The House Special Committee on Redistricting gave its stamp of approval to HB 2117 Wednesday, January 12 during a public hearing in the State Capitol. The committee chair and vice-chair said the map approved by the committee was created with input from legislators representing their constituents, public testimony from citizens across the state of Missouri, and 2020 census data. “The map created in HB 2117 contains compact and contiguous districts as required by our constitution while also keeping communities of interest and like-mindedness together,” said the chair of the House Special Committee on Redistricting. “The Census data allowed us the opportunity to better understand Missouri’s population and we used that information in combination with the testimony shared in committee to create a map that accurately reflects our state and our congressional districts.” The committee’s vice-chair said the bipartisan process used in committee allowed members from both parties to have input on the new district boundaries. The committee met again Wednesday afternoon to give time to an alternate map proposed by the minority leader of the House. While the committee did not approve the map, the vice-chair said she was pleased with House Leadership’s commitment to due process. “Our goal has been to allow all state representatives, and Missourians from all parts of the state, to make their voices heard on this bill before we move forward,” said the vice-chair of the House Special Committee on Redistricting. “I’m confident we have a bill that fairly and accurately represents our districts, and that can receive strong support on the House floor. There is no stronger foundation than the Constitution we are sworn to uphold.” HB 2117 must now receive approval from the House Rules committee before moving to the House floor for discussion. The bill will be discussed on the floor on Tuesday, January 18. The current version of the map can be viewed at the following link: https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/maps/Map.4875H.02C.pdf House Committee Considers Bills Designed to Ensure Appropriate Curriculum in Schools (HB 1995 and HB 1474) The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee held a public hearing this week to consider pieces of legislation designed to give parents more control over what their children learn, and to prevent inappropriate curriculum from being taught in school. Lawmakers took testimony on HB 1995, which would establish the Parents’ Bill of Rights for Student Well-Being. The legislation would require school districts to adopt a policy to promote parental involvement including procedures for objection to instructional materials. The bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop specific forms that school districts must use for parents to opt out of instructional material, and for parents to be notified in advance whenever a teacher intends to teach a divisive or controversial topic. “We need to send a very clear message that the state of Missouri, if we ever have to choose a side, we will always take the side of parents,” the bill’s sponsor told the committee. The bill also establishes the Missouri Education Transparency and Accountability Portal to give access to every school district's curriculum, source materials, and professional development materials. During the hearing, the committee also heard testimony on HB 1474. The bill also creates a Parents’ Bill of Rights, but has additional language to prohibit the instruction of critical race theory in public and charter schools. Specifically, the bill prohibits school districts, charter schools, and their personnel from teaching, using, or providing such curriculum or from teaching, affirming, or promoting any of the claims, views, or opinions found in the 1619 Project, which is a collections of essays on race. The bill does not allow curriculum that identifies people or groups of people, entities, or institutions in the United States as inherently, immutably, or systemically sexist, racist, biased, privileged, or oppressed. The sponsor of the bill said his legislation is the result of parents who are concerned their children aren’t being taught a full, accurate picture of the nation’s history. He said, “What we need to do is encourage kids to go above and beyond what we are teaching them in school and to dig deeper into history, learning from the good, learning from the bad, so we don’t repeat the bad.” He added, “This bill in no way is trying to stop kids from thinking. I think it’s trying to prevent educators, prevent institutions from flooding kids with a certain train of thought, teaching them this is the only way to think about these situations.” The committee completed the public hearing on both bills but has yet to bring them to a vote. Finding the Best Environment for Children in Need (HB 1563) Members of the House Emerging Issues Committee heard testimony this week on legislation that would require the state to put more effort into placing children in state custody with family members before placing them with strangers. The sponsor of the bill thinks the state can do more to find family members who would be a good fit for each child. “We want to go 50 deep if we have to, to try to find somebody that is going to be a good match for that child, that is going to be able to provide that child with a safe and healthy place to live,” said the bill’s sponsor. “It really comes down to what is going to be best for the child or the children, and trying to keep children and families together rather than separating families.” House Bill 1563 would require the Missouri Children’s Division to make “diligent searches” for biological parents when a child enters state custody. In the case of an emergency placement, the division would search for grandparents. If they can’t be found or aren’t fit, it would then look for other relatives for placement within 30 days. Members of the House Committee on Emerging Issues asked the sponsor whether his proposal would simply place burdens on overworked, underpaid members of an understaffed agency. He agreed those are concerns for the division but noted the state has resources that are available but not being utilized to the fullest. The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association told the committee their agency, serving 24 counties, helped find family members for 34 children in state care in the last two quarters of the last fiscal year. The chief program officer for the association said it could help even more children, but the Children’s Division hasn’t being asking. “We don’t receive the referrals like we should, for being a contracted agency. They’re paying for our service but they’re not always using it,” she said. She believes as employees with the Division leave and are replaced, those new hires simply don’t know that her agency and others like it are available, or how they can be used. She said similar agencies cover other parts of the state and her agency and others like it are simply more capable and have more resources than the Children’s Division for doing the kinds of searches the bill would require, and with compelling results. She told the committee, “With our program that we run and are contracted with, it’s called 30 Days to Family, we’re able to find at least 80 relatives if not more. Our average this last year has 115 relatives, and we do that within 30 days.” The committee completed the public hearing on the bill but has yet to put it to a vote. 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. Jeff Coleman, State Representative, 32nd District Bills Filed
In addition to the five bills I pre-filed last month, I have also filed another Joint House Resolution 114, and House Bill 2307. As eluded to in last month’s capitol report, stopping human trafficking is one of my main priorities this session. HB 2307 creates a monetary penalty for patronizing prostitution a fee of $5,000. This fine establishes a "Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Fund." Money from this fund will be used for rehabilitation services for the victims of human trafficking; such as mental health, substance abuse counseling, general education, parenting skills, housing, and training for employment. Money from the fund will also be used for preventative measures, meaning it will go towards law enforcement in an attempt to increase the number of officers who enforce these human trafficking laws and educational resources for our children. HJR 114 also deals with human trafficking. As it stands, the Missouri State Constitution requires that schools receive funding from criminal fines collected (this is not the only funding source for our schools). The goal with HJR 114 is to exclude the fines collected from patronizing prostitution from this mandatory allocation to the schools and instead put these funds towards the victims of human trafficking, the police departments, and education to stop human trafficking. 2022 Legislative Session Begins Lawmakers returned to the State Capitol Building Wednesday, January 5 for the start of the 2022 legislative session, which is officially the Second Regular Session of the 101st General Assembly. House members returned to Jefferson City with a current split of 110 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and 4 vacant seats. On the first day of session, two Republican members announced their resignations to pursue other interests. The resignations drop the total number of Republicans in the House to 108 members, which is one vote short of a veto-proof majority. Leading up to the start of the session, members have pre-filed bills at a near-record pace. Pre-filing began Dec. 1 and ended January 4. In that period of time House members pre-filed 770 pieces of legislation. That number is significantly more than the 688 pre-filed bills for the 2021 session, and just six bills short of the pre-filing record of 776 that was set in 2020. Legislators begin the session with a number of pressing issues on the table. They will need to move quickly to approve new congressional district maps based on the latest U.S. Census data. The maps have to be approved and signed into law in time for the August 2 primary. Lawmakers will also work expeditiously to approve a supplemental budget bill proposed by Gov. Parson. The governor has asked the House and Senate to have the legislation approved by February 1. As the 2022 legislative session progresses, members will also focus on a number of other important issues including the state operating budget, protections for the unborn, election integrity, school accountability and transparency, and protections against overly burdensome mandates. Missouri Legislative Leaders Release Proposed Congressional District Map (HB 2117) Before the new year began, the respective chairs of the Missouri House Special Committee on Redistricting and Senate Select Committee on Redistricting jointly released their proposed changes to Missouri’s congressional district map. The map, which is treated as a legislative bill, was filed as HB 2117. The proposed congressional map balances several required criteria including compliance with the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions as well as the Voting Rights Act. The map’s districts are compact, contiguous, and equal in population. The districts adhere to the doctrine of “one person, one vote” and have preserved the cores of each existing congressional district to the greatest extent possible. “This is a fair and constitutional map with common-sense boundaries that everyday Missourians can recognize,” said the chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting. “This map, which must be passed by both the House and Senate, is also drawn to achieve the greatest amount of consensus possible.” He added, “My House counterpart and I chose to make this joint announcement to emphasize the great care that went into drawing a map we were confident could survive legislative, judicial, and public scrutiny.” The chair of the House Special Committee on Redistricting said, “The task of creating this congressional district map required balancing the legislative process while maintaining compactness, contiguity, equal population, and preserving the existing districts’ core identities. I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to deliver HB 2117 to Governor Parson for his signature without delay.” Both congressional and state legislative districts are redrawn every ten years upon the completion of the census. Missouri’s congressional districts are drawn by state legislators and state legislative districts are drawn by independent, bipartisan, citizen commissions. The 2021 redistricting process has been compressed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and technical delays by the U.S. Census Bureau. The proposed maps are available at the following links: https://house.mo.gov/pr/Maps/JointProposedMap.pdf https://house.mo.gov/pr/Maps/JointProposedDistricts.pdf Governor Parson Ends State of Emergency As 2021 came to a close, Gov. Mike Parson announced that Missouri's COVID-19 related State of Emergency would expire and not be renewed on December 31. 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. Best regards, Jeff Coleman Missouri State Representative District 32 Bill Pre-Filing for the 2022 Legislative Session Begins
The 2022 legislative session officially begins Wednesday, January 5 and lawmakers are working feverishly to have their legislation ready for consideration by the start of session. Wednesday, Dec. 1 marked the first day legislators could pre-file legislation for the upcoming session. The first day of bill pre-filing saw members of the Missouri House introduce hundreds of legislative priorities for next year. My office was a part of the pre-filing frenzy and I am excited for the upcoming session. To date, I have filed five bills: HB 1642, HB 1641, HB 1643, HB 1638, and HJR 80. As I have stated in the past, human trafficking is a problem in our great state. HB 1638 and HB 1643 battle human trafficking with legislation against money laundering and racketeering. I have another piece of legislation that my office is working on in regards to stricter penalties for those found guilty of patronizing prostitution. I hope to have this bill filed by the end of December. HB 1641 is in response to an employer mandated COVID vaccine, outlining that if an employer demands their employee to be vaccinated the employer is financially responsible for any negative outcome faced by their employee as a result of the vaccine. HB 1642 allows an individual to apply for a conceal and carry permit at any state county office and makes the county fee consistent throughout the state. HJR 80 is regarding property tax. This will be the third time I have filed a bill regarding property tax and I am hopeful that the age old saying, ‘third time is the charm’ will be accurate. HJR 80 seeks to keep the real estate property assessment value from increasing more than two percent annually. This will help keep those that are retired, or on a fixed income to stay in their family homes. If passed, HJR 80 will be placed on the ballot for the people of Missouri to vote on. By noon on Dec. 1 House members had introduced more than 250 bills, which put them on a record pace for pre-filing. Legislators pre-filed a total of 288 bills on the first day of pre-filing in 2020. In comparison, the first day of pre-filing saw 315 bills introduced in 2019, 161 bills in 2018, and 195 bills in 2017. Legislators filed legislation dealing with a wide variety of topics. Issues addressed by the pre-filed bills range from vaccine mandates to critical race theory to protections for the unborn. To keep informed on the bills that are pre-filed in the House, please visit the official website of the Missouri House of Representatives at www.house.mo.gov and click on the “Pre-filed Bills” link. Attorney General Schmitt Asks Legislators to Consider Parents’ Bill of Rights As lawmakers prepare to discuss a wide range of topics during the 2022 legislative session, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is asking them to work on a Parents’ Bill of Rights. The bill of rights would protect parents’ rights to have a well-informed say in their children’s education, strengthen parents’ abilities to take action related to their children’s education, and increase transparency in Missouri’s schools. “The Parents’ Bill of Rights empowers parents, and increases transparency in school curricula and materials. It is my hope that the legislature will pass this crucial legislation to improve education for millions of children across the state,” said Schmitt. The proposed legislation would give parents a right to know about and approve of their child’s health care decisions, have access to health and mental health records, educational materials and curriculum, and would require parents to consent to biometric scans, DNA extractions, and video/voice recordings. The legislation would give parents a right to be notified of investigations involving their child. As part of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, each school will be required to develop a policy that would guarantee parents a right to: Participate in their child’s education; View the curriculum their child is being taught; Receive information on all extracurricular clubs at the school; Receive information on school choice, including Missouri Empowerment Scholarships Accounts; Understand the process to exempt their child from immunizations; and Receive information about enrolling their child in individual educational plans or gifted programs. Further, the Parents’ Bill of Rights would require the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a Missouri Transparency Portal that would track and create easy access for parents to view: School curriculum; Other related source materials; Professional development trainings for teachers; and A list of speakers and guest lecturers within each school and related costs. The legislation also would create a legal right for parents to file lawsuits against school districts that violate the law. Treasurer Fitzpatrick to Launch Annual 12 Days of Unclaimed Property Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is once again reminding Missourians to check the Unclaimed Property list. Beginning December 1 and continuing through December 16, the @MOTreasurer Twitter and Facebook accounts will encourage Missourians to search the Unclaimed Property database for their names and others they know. All posts will use the hashtag #12DaysofUCP. Fitzpatrick said, “My office holds over $1 billion in Unclaimed Property and we want to return it to rightful owners—especially as we approach the holidays and Missourians find increased costs at the gas pump and on grocery store shelves this season. While these social posts take a tongue-in-cheek tone about some of the items in the unclaimed property vault and names on the list, I hope Missourians will take a serious look and maybe find an unexpected holiday gift.” State law requires financial institutions, insurance companies, public agencies and other business entities to turn over unclaimed assets to the Treasurer’s Office. Most Unclaimed Property consists of cash from bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned. It can also include uncollected insurance policy proceeds, government refunds, utility deposits, and wages from past jobs. The Treasurer’s Office currently manages over $1 billion in unclaimed assets in more than five million owner accounts. Unclaimed Property is waiting for one in ten Missourians, and the average return is nearly $300. Missourians can search and claim Unclaimed Property year-round at ShowMeMoney.com. House Committee Examines Foster Care Failures
Missouri House members aren’t pleased with a lack of answers from the Department of Social Services in the wake of a federal report slamming the department’s lack of response when children in foster care go missing. The report released last week by the U.S. Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of the Inspector General is based on 2019 data. It said the state does not properly report when children are missing and doesn’t do enough to keep them from going missing again, if they are found. The House Children and Families Committee held a public hearing this week to delve into the report and seek answers from the department. The chair of the committee said, “I was shocked by the scope of the report but I was not surprised by the content.” The study found that 978 children went from missing state care at some point during 2019. In looking closely at the handling of 59 cases of children missing from foster care, it found that in nearly half there was no evidence that the state had reported those children missing as required by law. The committee heard testimony from the Department of Social Services Acting Director who said many of the policy issues cited in the report stemmed from a previous administration. She produced a 2016 memo from the previous director that allowed caseworkers to quit some practices and documentation, some of which she says has been resumed since 2019. The chair of the House Children and Families Committee and other lawmakers were frustrated by what they saw as a “passing of the buck,” trying to blame that earlier administration, and a failure to follow the law and to implement programs the legislature has authorized to help the division keep foster kids safe. She asked, “If the tools that have been given by the legislature have not been utilized and if the state and federal laws are not being followed because it’s the policy of the department, what enforcement mechanism could the legislature use to induce you to follow state and federal statute?” The chair of the House Children and Families Committee went on to say she was troubled the department did not provide much information outside of what was in the federal report and even challenged its findings. She said the next step will be to hold a hearing focused on possible solutions. “We’re going to continue to work and see what pressure we can put on the department to continue to follow state and federal law. The committee will continue to hold hearings. We’ll probably have one more and then we’ll have a report with recommendations and I would think that you’ll see legislation that comes out of this process,” she said. State Continues to See Healthy Revenue Growth Missouri continues to see its economy grow and received good news again this week when the September revenue numbers showed a healthy increase. For September 2021 the state took in $1.1 billion in revenue, which is up from $944.5 million in September 2020. The enhanced level of revenue amounts to a 16.3 percent increase. The latest revenue numbers show sales and use tax collection increased by 20.7 percent in September. Overall, the state has seen sales and use tax collection for the year increase by 22.9 percent. To date the state has collected $736.9 million in sales tax revenue. At the same point last year, the state had collected only $599.7 million. The state has also seen other collections increase this year with the exception of individual income taxes. For September, income tax collections were down by 17.1 percent, and for the year they are down 18.9 percent overall. The state has currently collected $1.9 billion in income tax, while at the same time last year it had collected $2.35 billion. The drop in income tax collection is the result of skewed numbers from last year when tax filing deadlines in April and June were moved to July 15, 2020. The late deadline put many of the income tax collections in the FY 2021 fiscal year, which inflated the overall numbers for the year. Despite the continued healthy growth, the late filing deadlines from 2020 continue to put the state behind the revenue collections seen last year. To date the state has seen a decrease of 10.6 percent in overall revenues. At this time last year the state had collected $3.09 billion in revenue. This year so far the state has collected $2.76 billion. Despite this, the state budget director says Missouri continues to be on pace to fully fund the state operating budget. 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. Gas Tax to Increase but Refunds Will Be Available (SB 262)
On October 1, Missouri’s gas tax will increase for the first time in 25 years, but Missourians who don’t want to pay the increase have an option. The tax will increase by 2.5 cents October first, with more incremental increases every July 1 until it reaches a total increase of 12.5 cents in 2025. The Department of Transportation estimates the increase, when fully implemented, will generate another $460 million annually for the state’s roads and bridges. Those who don’t want to pay the increase will be able to apply for a refund. The Department of Revenue will provide a form for applicants to fill out. A final version is expected to be available, either digitally or by paper copy, by the time applications can be accepted between July 1 and September 30 of next year. Fuel purchased in Missouri for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds is eligible for a refund. The initial increase, which begins October 1, has been estimated at about $1 a month for the average Missouri driver. Once it’s fully phased in the increase will be approximately $60 per year, depending on how much fuel each driver consumes. The House Transportation Committee Chairwoman said the department has been running about $800 million behind what it needs for road work, per year. The increase will cover a significant portion of that gap, and will also put Missouri in position to draw federal dollars from an anticipated infrastructure bill. The gas tax increase became law when Governor Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 262, which passed out of the House with a final vote of 104-52. Providing Free Hygiene Products to Female Inmates (SB 53) Women incarcerated in Missouri prisons and jails will now have access to feminine hygiene products free of charge, under legislation that became law in July. Senate Bill 53, signed into law by Governor Mike Parson on July 14, included language that requires city and county jails to join the state’s prisons in providing those products to female inmates at no cost. Many facilities had already been doing this. The law will codify that practice and extend it to those who weren’t. Research in 2018 showed more than 80 percent of women in Missouri’s two female prisons were making their own hygiene products, and those they were given for free were ineffectual. These homemade products were often resulting in infections or other complications. One of the key supporters of the bill said the measure was a way to provide dignity to incarcerated women, while saving the state money. He said, “These women were receiving additional medical treatment at the cost of the Missouri taxpayer when they did fashion their own products in order to save money.” The fiscal year 2022 budget includes $240,000 to pay for providing those products to women in county and city jails and detention centers. Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available for Eligible Missourians Missourians who received the Pfizer vaccine can now receive a booster shot at least six months after their initial series. Following federal guidance issued from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has amended the state’s standing order for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administration for those who are eligible for a booster shot. According to CDC guidance: People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster; People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster; People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster; and People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting (e.g. frontline medical workers, teachers, and first responders) may receive a booster. The list of medical conditions categorized as high-risk by the CDC is available at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Missourians with an underlying medical condition are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about whether a booster shot is right for them. Federal health experts are still reviewing data from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) and will decide when recipients may be eligible for a booster shot. Missouri providers will be ready to administer Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots when they are recommended. Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots will be administered anywhere the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available. Individuals do not need to get their booster shot at the same location they received their initial series. Those seeking a booster shot can visit MOStopsCovid.com to find a nearby provider and schedule an appointment or locate a walk-in clinic. Individuals can also get the flu shot at the same time they receive the COVID-19 booster shot. Flu vaccines are now becoming available through various providers throughout the state, and it is recommended annually for everyone 6 months and older. Research shows that all COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States continue to be highly effective at preventing severe illness and death. Individuals should only get a booster shot when it is recommended, not earlier. How Missourians can get a free COVID-19 vaccine: Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for availability by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer). Call the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (or TTY 1-888-720-7489). Help is available in multiple languages. Locate local vaccination events in Missouri at MOStopsCovid.com. Seniors and homebound adults can make arrangements using information at MOStopsCovid.com/seniors Missouri DHSS COVID-19 Public Hotline 1-877-435-8411 Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. 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. Missouri Revenue Numbers Continue to Hold Steady
The state continues to receive encouraging news in regard to economic activity. While general revenue collections were down slightly for the month of August, the state remains on track to collect sufficient revenue to fully fund the Fiscal Year 2022 state operating budget. The state’s August collections for 2021 came in at $962.2 million which is down slightly from the $991.6 million collected in August of last year. For the fiscal year to date, the state is also down with total collections coming in at $1.66 billion. The state had collected $2.15 billion at the same time last year. The drop in revenue collection was anticipated because last year’s numbers were inflated as the tax deadline was moved from April to July and many Missourians paid their taxes later than usual. The decrease in this year’s numbers is the result of fewer individual income tax collections and fewer corporate income and franchise tax collections in July and August. The good news is Missouri continues to see increases in sales and use tax collections, which indicate increased economic activity. For August, sales and use tax collections were up by 29.4 percent. For the fiscal year to date, collections are up by 23.9 percent. The state budget director for Missouri said, “The Missouri economy is still performing well and revenues are, even though they're down for the year, they're actually pretty strong when you look at them in the right context.” Missouri Office of Childhood Now Providing Assistance to Children and Families On August 28 the new Office of Childhood officially began work in Missouri to ensure children and families across the state have better access to more consistent, quality programs and services. The new office was created by an executive order issued by the governor that consolidated several early childhood programs across state government into a single office. Missouri’s previous early childhood system had been ranked 45th in governance by the Bipartisan Policy Center, which made the system one of the least coordinated in the country. Knowing that early childhood education delivers one of the greatest returns on investment of taxpayer dollars, state leaders sought solutions to strengthen Missouri’s system. The move to one office gives Missouri an improved structure to support, coordinate, and monitor programs and activities, including an enhanced ability to share goals and best practices across programs. The change is meant to promote effectiveness, excellence, and equity for Missouri children. At the time the new office was announced, Gov. Parson said, “Missouri families deserve the best early childhood system our state can provide. This is also a critical area of workforce development for our state. We must see to it that the workforce of tomorrow starts off on the right foot, and that means better support for Missouri children and their families.” The Office of Childhood consists of approximately 145 employees across the state. The office has a Fiscal Year 2022 budget of approximately $660 million. For more information on the new office, please visit https://earlyconnections.mo.gov/who-we-are/new-office-childhood. College Savings Month Kicks Off September 1 marked the beginning of College Savings Month to encourage Missourians to start saving for college now. State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick has joined with the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) to encourage savings for education. Treasurer Fitzpatrick said, “Data demonstrates that having an education savings account makes it more likely a child will attend a higher education institution. Data also shows that education influences socioeconomic mobility. This is why I have worked to lower accounts fees and to make MOST 529 as versatile as possible. Regardless of what higher education looks like for you—college, trade school, an apprenticeship—being financially prepared is necessary to avoid burdensome debt down the road.” In partnership with Sallie Mae and the MOST 529 Education Plan, Treasurer Fitzpatrick and MDHEWD will host a webinar providing information about saving for higher education and finding scholarship opportunities. How to Find Free Money and Save for College will take place on Tuesday, September 21 at 6 p.m. The free virtual event will feature speakers from Sallie Mae, a nationwide consumer banking institution specializing in private student loans, and MOST, Missouri’s 529 Education Plan. Those who wish to participate can register at https://ascensus.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_330RHUExRMSmLeZt5mGd_w. MOST, Missouri’s 529 Education Plan, is a tax-advantaged savings plan for education expenses. Money in MOST accounts can be used to pay for K-12 tuition and apprenticeships, trade, college, and graduate school tuition and expenses. Contributions are eligible for state tax deductions, which can save families up to $864 a year, and assets in MOST 529 accounts grow tax-free. More information about MOST 529 can be found missourimost.org. Missourians can also visit the treasurer’s Financial Literacy Portal for information about saving for higher education and paying for higher education. The Financial Literacy Portal can be accessed at https://treasurer.mo.gov/financial-literacy/. 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. Best regards, Jeff Coleman Missouri State Representative District 32 Representative Jeff Coleman, District 32 Numerous Bills Approved by the General Assembly Set to Become Law on August 28
The Missouri General Assembly had a highly productive legislative session and now the bulk of the bills passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor are set to become law on August 28. The bills that are now set to become law address some of the state’s most pressing issues such as the protection of children and vulnerable Missourians, as well as support for veterans and law enforcement. In total, the Missouri House and Senate approved 69 pieces of legislation during the 2021 legislative session. That number is up from the 2020 legislative session when the General Assembly gave final approval to 51 bills, but down from 2019 when 92 bills made it across the legislative finish line. Forty pieces of legislation originating in the House received final legislative approval. Eighteen of the bills are appropriations bills that make up the state operating budget. The Senate saw 29 of its bills cross the finish line before session ended on May 14. Of the bills he received, Gov. Parson vetoed three House Bills, and one Senate Bill. He also made line-item vetoes in 12 of the 18 appropriations bills. The legislature will return on September 15 for its annual Veto Session. During Veto Session, legislators have a final opportunity to enact their ideas into law despite the governor’s objections. In both chambers, a two-thirds vote is required to override a veto. In the House that amounts to 109 votes. Twenty-three votes are needed in the Senate to successfully complete an override motion. To view a complete list of bills going into law by effective date, please visit: https://house.mo.gov/newbillreport.aspx?year=2021&code=R&select=evergroupcode:1&sortoptions=effectivedate Missouri Continues to Make Broadband Expansion a Top Priority This summer the Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Broadband Development has held public hearings to discuss ways to improve broadband internet access across the state. Efforts to increase access received a boost recently as Gov. Mike Parson announced plans to utilize more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase broadband internet access statewide. The plan was developed through a multi-agency effort designed to address a diverse range of broadband connectivity challenges and is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Missouri families. The plan requires the approval of the General Assembly, which will have to appropriate the funds when it returns for the 2022 regular session in January. According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 147,000 households or almost 400,000 Missourians don’t have access to high-speed Internet (25mpbs/3mbps). The majority of those citizens reside in rural communities. Gov. Parson said, “Investing in our broadband infrastructure is critical to unlocking our full economic potential in this state and will serve Missourians for generations to come. We expect this investment to increase broadband internet connectivity and access in every corner of the state for hundreds of thousands of Missourians. Quality internet supports learning, health care, business, and agriculture in today’s economy, and we are excited to capitalize on this opportunity to truly make a difference and improve lives.” In addition to the $400 million plan, the Department of Economic Development also submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Infrastructure Program requesting an additional $56 million for broadband deployment. If approved by NTIA, this funding could support up to 19 projects, connecting more than 17,000 households, businesses, and other institutions. Missouri Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Stop School Mask Mandates The Missouri Attorney General has filed a class action lawsuit against school districts that are forcing a mask mandate on schoolchildren and teachers. The reverse class action lawsuit names Columbia Public Schools, the Board of Education for the School District of Columbia and their board members, and the Superintendent for Columbia Public Schools as defendants. However, the lawsuit is in effect filed against all school districts in the state that have a mask mandate. If the class is certified, the ruling will bind other districts that have mandates. The lawsuit claims the mask mandate is arbitrary and capricious, and argues that children are at an extremely low risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, that children are at a low risk for spreading COVID-19, that masks fail to provide adequate protection against COVID-19 in children, and that masks are detrimental to the development of young children. Citing Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services data, the lawsuit notes that zero children under the age of 10 have died from COVID-19. Further, the lawsuit notes that children make up less than 1 out of every 100,000 people who are hospitalized in Missouri. The lawsuit also cites numerous medical studies stating that children have a low risk of transmitting the virus to other children. Additionally, the lawsuit cites a study that surveyed 25,930 schoolchildren and noted that 68% “complained about impairments caused by wearing the masks.” The Missouri Attorney General said, “Forcing schoolchildren to mask all day in school flies in the face of science, especially given children’s low risk of severe illness and death and their low risk of transmission. Additionally, forcing schoolchildren to mask all day could hinder critical development by eliminating facial cues and expressions. We filed this suit today because we fundamentally don’t believe in forced masking; rather that parents and families should have the power to make decisions on masks, based on science and facts.” 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. |
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