Capitol Briefing:
Week of May 13, 2013More than 160 Measures Delivered to Governor Before Final Gavel Falls for 2013 Legislative Session
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JEFFERSON CITY – More than 80 Senate and 80 House bills reached the governor’s desk upon conclusion of the 2013 legislative session, many of which were “truly agreed to and finally passed” this week. The governor also signed several Senate bills during the last week of session that would improve government efficiency (Senate Bills 80 & 191, sponsored by Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, and Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, respectively), streamline reporting requirements for certain financial institutions (Senate Bill 235, sponsored by Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville), help businesses lower their insurance costs (Senate Bill 287, sponsored by Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville), and protect patients who take prescribed medication (Senate Bill 306, sponsored by Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa). However, the governor lent his veto pen to Senate Bill 350, legislation sponsored by Senate Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, that would have eliminated the renter’s portion of the Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit, commonly referred to as the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. The bill would have required the Department of Revenue to calculate how much of the renter’s portion of the Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit was redeemed in Fiscal Year 2012, and beginning in FY 2014, deposit this amount into the newly created Missouri Senior Services Protection Fund. Money in this fund would be used to provide services such as mental health care, nursing homes and home-based health and living services for low-income seniors and disabled citizens. Taxation Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, eliminates both state and local use taxes on motor vehicles, trailers, boats and outboard motors, and instead collects a sales tax for the titling of these items. Taxing jurisdictions that have not previously approved a local use tax would have to put to a vote of the people whether to discontinue collecting sales tax on titling of the motor vehicle bought from someone other than a licensed Missouri dealer. These same jurisdictions would be able to hold a vote to repeal the tax. The legislation also creates the “Rebuild Damaged Infrastructure Program” to provide funding for the reconstruction, replacement, renovation or repair to any infrastructure damaged by a presidentially declared natural disaster in the state; clarifies how Missouri uses Nexus — a direct connection with the Show-Me State — to collect out-of-state taxes for online purchases; changes the Missouri Museum District Act, which expands the scope of museum districts to include buildings and areas used for promoting culture and the arts; and addresses alcohol-related traffic offenses and moving traffic violations, among other provisions. Labor and Employment Legislation sponsored by Sen. Dan Brown, R- Rolla, would allow public employee labor unions to withhold fees from their employees’ paychecks only upon the annual written consent of employees. Under Senate Bill 29, these same employers must also receive permission to use fees and dues paid by their employees for political purposes. Workers would have to authorize the amount used for political contributions, and whether or not they contribute would in no way affect their employment. The act exempts first responders, such as police officers, fire fighters, or registered nurses and physicians, from these new provisions. House Bill 986, handled by Sen. Wasson, would extend the sunset date for the Hand-Up Program, a child care subsidy benefit pilot program brought to the upper chamber last year by Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph. The program gives Missourians incentives to advance in their career without the threat of a cut in their assistance for child care expenses. The bill would reauthorize the Ticket-to-Work Program until 2019. Originally established in 1999, Ticket-to-Work allowed individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits to enter into the workforce, receive vocational rehabilitation and other support services from public and private providers, employers or other organizations. Finally, House Bill 986 would create the Missouri Senior Services Protection Fund, in which money from the fund would have been used for services for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. This fund was found in Senate Bill 350, sponsored by Senate Leader Dempsey, which was vetoed by the governor this week. The bill would also created the Joint Committee on Medicaid Transformation, a 12-member panel made up of senators and representatives who would be responsible for developing methods to prevent fraud and abuse in the MO HealthNet system, giving advice on more efficient and cost-effective ways to provide coverage for MO HealthNet participants; and evaluating how coverage for MO HealthNet participants can resemble that of commercially available health plans while complying with federal Medicaid requirements, among other duties. The Missouri Senate’s Daily Audio/Video clips from May 16 include Sen. Romine and Sen. Nasheed discussing HB 986, notably the provision creating the Joint Committee on Medicaid Transformation. Workers’ Compensation Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Rupp, addresses Missouri’s insolvent Second Injury Fund by establishing priority for paying fund liabilities and instituting a funding mechanism to bolster the Second Injury Fund when usual collections are inadequate. The bill also prohibits claims for permanent partial disability against the Second Injury Fund, defines “occupational disease due to toxic exposure,” and creates an expanded benefit for occupational disease due to toxic exposure, among other provisions. Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, would require the Division of Workers’ Compensation to develop and maintain a workers’ compensation claims database that is searchable by an employee’s name and Social Security number. The legislation streamlines the requests for workers’ compensation records that are already accessible by potential employers. Written requests by these potential employers can take weeks to fulfill, and SB 34 would speed up the process in receiving these records for job applicants. Agriculture An omnibus agriculture bill, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, was also delivered to the governor. Senate Bill 9 establishes the Career and Technical Education Student Protection Act, which creates an advisory council that would be responsible for developing a statewide short- and long-range plan for career and technical education, identifying legislative recommendations to improve career and technical education, and promoting coordination of existing career and technical education programs; allows for additional penalties to be imposed for violations of the Missouri Livestock Disease Control and Eradication Law; strengthens the penalties for stealing livestock; and creates and further defines the crimes of animal neglect, trespass and abuse. House Bill 542, an omnibus agriculture bill carried through the upper chamber by Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, has similar provisions found in to Senate Bill 17, also delivered to the governor and sponsored by Sen. Munzlinger. House Bill 542 would establish the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council to develop a statewide short-range plan for career and technical education, identify legislative recommendations to improve career and technical education, and promote coordination of existing career and technical programs. The bill also allows the development of Urban Agricultural Zones on blighted areas of land, imposes additional penalties for violating Missouri’s Livestock Disease Control and Eradication Law, and increases the loan amount issued to individuals for livestock feed and crop input from $40,000 to $100,000, among other provisions. House Joint Resolutions 11 & 7, also known as the “Right to Farm” measure, proposes a constitutional amendment affirming the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices. Upon voter approval, the measure would prohibit the enactment of state law, such as acts approved by initiative petition, that would reduce the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology, modern and traditional livestock production and ranching practices, unless the law is enacted by the General Assembly. The question is slated to appear on voters’ ballots at the next general election in November or at a special election called by the governor. Sen. Parson ushered the resolutions through the Senate. The Missouri Senate’s Daily Audio/Video clips for May 14 include discussion from Sen. Parson and Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, on HJRs 11 & 7. Judiciary A measure sponsored by Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, would modify provisions of state law relating to administrative child support orders. Senate Bill 69 would grant administrative hearing officers from the Department of Social Services the ability to set aside or correct administrative child support decisions or orders and proposed administrative modifications of a judicial order. The bill sponsor explained during debate that the legislation would allow officials to be more efficient and effective by correcting certain errors in child support orders, which would otherwise have to be reheard in court. Senate Bill 36, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, would change certain provisions in state law relating to juvenile offenders who have been certified as adults and found guilty in court of general jurisdiction. Currently, juvenile offenders under the age of 17 who have been certified as adults are allowed to stay in the custody of the Division of Youth Services, instead of placing these youth in the adult prison population. Senate Bill 36 would extend this timeframe to 17 and a half and asks judges to consider dual jurisdiction sentences for certified youth. Military and Veterans Senate Bill 106, sponsored by Sen. Brown, would allow certain military training courses to convert into academic credit, give certain members of the Armed Forces the opportunity to keep their professional health-related licenses or certificates while on active duty, and let military members apply their service toward qualifications to receive a professional license or certificate. The legislation would also establish the child custody and visitation rights of deploying military parents. In addition, it would give the authority to state buildings and state parks to display of the Honor and Remember flag, which recognizes and honors fallen members of the Armed Forces of the United States. Another bill relating to military in the state, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, would give those who receive an honorable or general discharge from the military Missouri resident status in order to pay in-state tuition at one of the Show-Me State’s public higher education institutions. Senate Bill 117 also contains provisions found in Senate Bill 106 addressing the Honor and Remember flag and child custody and visitation rights. Senate Bill 118, also sponsored by Sen. Kraus, would authorize the creation of treatment courts for veterans. The legislation would allow these courts to handle cases involving substance abuse or mental illness of current or former military personnel. Veterans’ treatment courts could accept participants who meet certain criteria from other jurisdictions when there is not one of these specific treatment courts located where they are charged. These courts would also refer various substance abuse and mental health treatments to participants. Health & Mental Health Senate Bill 129 establishes the Volunteer Health Services Act that would allow licensed health care professionals to provide volunteer services for a sponsoring organization. Under the bill, sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Caseville, volunteers would not be liable for any civil damages resulting from their service, unless they had a conscious disregard for the safety of others. In addition, volunteers would not be able to receive any form of direct or indirect compensation, benefits or consideration for their health care services. Before health care professionals can provide their volunteer services, the sponsoring organization would have to register with the Department of Health and Senior Services and pay a $50 fee. Senate Bill 229, sponsored by Sen. Brown, would change state law relating to the Mental Health Employment Disqualification Registry. This registry contains a list of individuals with charges of abuse, neglect, and/or misuse of funds who have exhausted their appeal process and are disqualified from working with consumers receiving services from the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Currently, an employee in a mental health facility is disqualified from holding a direct care position if he or she has been found guilty of or pleaded guilty to certain criminal offenses. This measure would add to the list of criminal offenses such felony crimes including drug-, stealing- and alcohol-related offenses, as well as violations of aiding the escape of a prisoner and supporting terrorism. Legislation dealing with first responders’ political activities, as well as other provisions relating to emergency service providers in the state, also reached the governor’s desk. House Bill 307, carried through the upper chamber by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, would prohibit cities and towns from banning first responders from engaging in political activities while off duty and not in uniform. These emergency providers would also be allowed to hold a public office, unless the activity or candidacy is prohibited by current state law. This provision is identical to Senate Bill 216, sponsored by Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Lee’s Summit, which was also passed by the Legislature and delivered to the governor this week. Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Sen. Sater, would give authority to the MO HealthNet Division within the Department of Social Services to implement a statewide dental delivery system. This system would ensure recipient participation and access to providers of dental services under the state’s program that purchases and monitors health care services for low-income and vulnerable citizens in the Show-Me State. The legislation also includes several provisions relating to health care in the state, including the addition of certain advanced practice registered nurses services to the list of covered MO HealthNet services. Another measure pertaining to health care, Senate Bill 262, started out as a bill that would prohibit larger deductibles, copayments or coinsurance amounts for services using telemedicine compared to the same health care service provided through face-to-face diagnosis, consultation or treatment. Additional provisions added to the bill, sponsored by Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City, during session would require individuals to establish a physician-patient relationship before they can receive a prescription for medication or treatment through the Internet; allow health maintenance organizations to charge deductibles and coinsurance for basic health care services; and give those who use prescription eye drops the ability to renew their prescription before they ran out of medication, among other health insurance provisions. The Missouri Senate’s Daily Audio/Video clips from May 16 highlight debate from Sen. Curls; Sen. Chappelle-Nadal; and Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, on SB 262. Children’s Services Legislation also sponsored by Sen. Sater, Senate Bill 205, would allow children age 15 or older in foster care or in the Division of Youth Services to visit state universities, community or technical colleges, or Armed Services recruiters before they are adopted, leave the foster care system or complete the division’s custody or training. Their visit would include an entry application process, financial support application and availability, career options with academic or technical training, a campus tour, and other information the young Missourians would like to learn and experience. Another provision found in Senate Bill 205 was passed in a measure sponsored by Senate Minority Floor Leader Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City. Senate Bill 208 would raise the age limit from when a young Missourian may re-enter foster care. The bill would raise the age from 18 to 21 for those who are released from custody under the Children’s Division within the Department of Social Services, allowing a juvenile officer, the Children’s Division or the youth to petition the court to return to custody under the Children’s Division if it appears it would be in his or her best interest. Education Senate Bill 125, sponsored by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, would change provisions relating to duties of boards of education. The measure would require the declaration of new administrative rules that include standards, appropriate scoring guides, forms, instruments and procedures used in determining the accreditation status of a district. The legislation would also allow tenured teachers in the St. Louis City School District to be removed based on incompetency, shorten the written notification waiting period from at least one semester to 30 days in order to dismiss a teacher for inefficiency and incompetency in the line of duty, and prohibit the appointment of teachers when there are properly qualified teachers on unrequested leave of absence to fill vacancies, among other provisions. The bill also removes the two-year waiting period that exists between the classification of a school district as unaccredited and the lapse of the district’s corporate organization. The Senate’s Daily Audio/Video Clips from May 15 highlight debate on SB 125, which includes comments from Sen. Nasheed and Sen. Justus. Senate Bill 381, sponsored by Sen. Kraus, would create funding for innovation education campuses throughout the state. These campuses would establish educational partnerships between high schools or school districts, Missouri two- or four-year public (including Linn State Technical College) or four-year private higher education institutions, and businesses in the Show-Me State. Innovation education campuses would receive funding as long as they actively work to lower the cost for students who complete a college degree, decrease the amount of time required for students to earn a college degree, provide applied and project-based learning experiences for students, give students who graduate direct access to certain opportunities with Missouri-based businesses that partner with innovation education campuses, and engage and partner with industry stakeholders. The legislation would also recognize the University of Central Missouri as a Missouri Innovation Campus. Education legislation designed to establish the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council to develop a statewide short-range plan for career and technical education, identify legislative recommendations to improve career and technical education, and promote coordination of existing career and technical programs also goes to the governor. Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Sen. Munzlinger, would have also created “Bryce’s Law,” which would have established scholarship funds or clinical trials for behavioral interventions for those children who fall on the autism spectrum. The Missouri Senate’s Daily Audio/Video clips from May 16 feature Sen. Munzlinger sharing information on SB 17 with his colleagues in the Senate. Public Safety Sen. Parson is the sponsor of legislation this session that would require the Missouri State Highway Patrol to receive a specific appropriation before obligating any funds for the purchase of an individual item that costs more than $100,000. Also, Senate Bill 236 would add the maintenance of Highway Patrol vehicles, watercraft and aircraft to the Highway Patrol’s Motor Vehicle, Aircraft and Watercraft Revolving Fund. A bill sponsored by Sen. Kraus would prohibit the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) from retaining copies, in any format, of source documents — original or certified copies — provided by Missourians who apply for or hold driver’s or nondriver’s licenses. The department would also be banned from retaining copies of any certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement (CCW). Under the bill, DOR would not be allowed to scan source documents or certificates of qualification that could be retained, stored and transferred electronically. The scanning and retention provisions found in Senate Bill 252 would not apply to documents required under federal motor carrier regulations. The legislation would also require the department, by Dec. 31, 2013, to securely destroy any source documents or certificates of qualification that have been obtained from license applications after Sept. 1, 2012. An additional provision in the bill would allow for donations to be made on motor vehicle registration applications to the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City. Senate Leader Dempsey carried House Bill 339 through its final passage in the Missouri Senate. The legislation would enact a “no pay, no play” law requiring uninsured motorists to forfeit recovery of non-economic damages from insured motorists when the insured motorists are alleged to be at fault. However, this provision would not apply if the accident is caused by someone who operated a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or is caused by a person convicted of second degree manslaughter or second degree assault. Passengers in an uninsured motor vehicle would not apply to the terms in this legislation. House Bill 400, handled in the upper chamber by Sen. Wallingford, would require a physician who prescribes or dispenses abortion-inducing drugs, such as RU-486, to be present while the drug is administered. Physicians who induce abortions, or individuals acting on their behalf, would be required to make all reasonable efforts to ensure their patients return for their follow-up visit so their pregnancy can be confirmed as terminated and their medical condition can be assessed, unless this information is noted prior to discharge. Another measure public safety measure passed by the General Assembly this year would allow schools to teach a gun accident prevention program and prepare teachers for potentially dangerous or armed intruders. Sponsored by Sen. Brown, Senate Bill 75 would establish the Active Shooter and Intruder Response Training for Schools Program, which would train teachers and school employees on how to respond to students with information about a threatening situation and how to address a potentially dangerous or armed intruder or active shooter in or on school grounds. In addition, the legislation would allow schools to teach the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program, or a similar program, to first graders. The program would the promote safety and protection of children and emphasize how students should respond if they come across a firearm. The bill bans the use of firearms during teaching of the program. Numerous provisions were added to the legislation in the final weeks of session, including measures addressing how Missourians apply for concealed carry permits and prohibiting the sharing of records or developing databases with the federal government, among other provisions. The Senate’s Daily Audio and Video Clips for May 17 include Sen. Brown discussing SB 75 on the floor of the Senate. Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lamping also advanced to the governor. Senate Bill 33 would give individuals with mental disabilities the right to be accompanied by a guide, hearing or service dog without paying an extra charge to access certain areas, provided this individual is liable for any damages done to the premises for facilities by the service dog. It also would designate Dec. 4 as “PKS Day” in Missouri to encourage awareness of Pallister-Killiam Syndrom, an extremely rare genetic disorder which includes a multitude of developmental disabilities. Senate Bill 256, sponsored by Sen. Silvey, would make changes to the state’s Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002, which protects newborn children from injury or death caused by abandonment by a parent, and provides safe and secure alternatives to the abandonment of a baby. Currently, the law prohibits parents from being prosecuted for leaving a newborn up to five days old in the custody of a member of the medical field or an emergency responder. Senate Bill 256 would increase this time period up to 45 days after the baby is born and include maternity homes and pregnancy resource centers as permissible places to leave a child. The bill would not require parents to release identifying information about themselves or the child and would prohibit those whom the child is left with from attempting to locate or determine the identity of the parents. The bill would also require schools to teach high school students enrolled in health education courses about the Safe Place for Newborns Act. Governmental Accountability Senate Bill 251 would prohibit Missourians who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits from inappropriately spending these allocated funds using their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Under the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Kraus and Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, individuals would be banned from using their EBT cards in liquor stores, casinos or other gaming establishments, adult-oriented businesses, or in any place or for any item that is not in the best interest of card holders’ children or households. Those who violate provisions of this act would be required to reimburse the Department of Social Services (DSS). In addition, a person who knowingly accepts EBT cards in violation of this act would be fined $500 for the first offense, between $500-$1,000 for the second offense, and no less than $1,000 for the third or subsequent offense. The bill would also update criminal provisions relating to welfare fraud to reflect current federal language for Missouri’s food stamp program and EBT card carriers. Unlawfully receiving, converting and transferring of public assistance or EBT cards would change to a Class D felony; it would be a Class A misdemeanor if the face value of the public assistance benefit or EBT card is less than $500. Individuals on probation for the offense would not be released until full restitution is paid. Senate Bill 251 would also require DSS to establish and maintain a statewide toll-free phone number to receive complaints of suspected public assistance fraud, as well as study analytical modeling-based methods of detecting fraud and issue a report to the General Assembly and governor by Dec. 1, 2013. A bill designed to address copper theft in the state also goes to the governor. Senate Bill 157, sponsored by Sen. Sater, would strengthen documentation requirements for transactions where junk or scrap metal is sold or traded. The bill also addresses transactions involving catalytic converters, which are vehicle emissions control devices. Transportation With thousands of motorcyclists living in and driving through the state of Missouri, Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, filed Senate Bill 72 this session which is on its way to the governor and would designate the month of May as “Motorcycle Awareness Month.” The month-long event would encourage Missourians to better observe motorcyclists on the state’s roads and learn more about motorcycle safety. A bill that would prohibit roadside checkpoints based on certain types of vehicles received final approval in the Senate. Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Sen. Schaefer, would prohibit law enforcement agencies in Missouri from establishing roadside checkpoints based on a particular type of vehicle, including motorcycles. However, law enforcement would be able to set up checkpoints that only stop and check commercial motor vehicles. Legislation that would allow state employees who have conceal and carry permits to keep firearms in their vehicle on state property also received much attention this week on the Senate floor. House Bill 533 maintains that the worker’s vehicle must be locked and the firearm not visible and that the employee is conducting work-related business on state property. The measure was also carried through upper chamber by Sen. Munzlinger. The Missouri Senate’s Daily Audio/Video clips for May 14 feature debate from Sen. Munzlinger and Sen. Chappelle-Nadal before HB 533 received passage in the upper chamber. Elections A measure sponsored by Sen. Keaveny would make the position of the City of St. Louis Public Administrator an appointed position, rather than an elected one. Under Senate Bill 99, the public administrator would be appointed by a majority of the circuit and associate circuit judges of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. The Office of the Public Administrator would then be under the City of St. Louis’ governmental structure, converted from a fee-based office to a salaried one that would be paid for by the county. The bill would also address the taxes on motor vehicles, trailers, boats and outboard motors and would allow citizens to vote on whether to remove the application of the local sales tax to the titling of these types of vehicles. In addition, the legislation would permit the printing of the Offical Manual of the State of Missouri, known as the “Blue Book,” once again. If signed into law, most of the bills detailed in this column will take effect on Aug. 28, unless they have an emergency clause, in which they would have full effect of state law upon the governor’s signature. Legislation that would change the way Missouri handles its initiative and referendum petition process also heads to the governor. House Bill 117, handled by Sen. Wasson in the Senate, would require the ballot title to appear on initiative and referendum petitions, make new requirements for those involved in the petition process, increase penalties for those who commit the crime of petition signature fraud, and create requirements for the Secretary of State regarding the timeline and posting online of initiative and referendum petition information. This act is similar to Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. Rupp. The Senate’s Daily Audio/Video Clips from May 16 highlight debate on HB 117 in the upper chamber from Sen. Wasson and Sen. Sifton. Before conclusion of this year’s regular legislation session, the Senate also gave its unanimous approval to several concurrent resolutions, measures that express the opinion of will of the Senate and House and are adopted by both chambers.
Many of the bills considered by the Senate this week ran out of time before they could reach the legislative finish line. Senate Bill 114, sponsored by Sen. Schmitt, was filed back in January as a bill that would allow home-brews at certain events, such as fairs and tasting competitions. However, over the course of five months, the measure grew into a bill addressing various facets of intoxicating liquor, including refining the word “franchise” in relation to liquor distributors, wholesalers and retailers. However, similar legislation relating to home-brewed beer — Senate Bill 121, sponsored by Sen. Schaefer — advanced to the governor this week. The Senate’s Daily Audio/Video Clips from May 15 include debate on SB 114, which features Sen. Justus. Building, maintaining and fixing the state’s infrastructure was an issue addressed in Senate Joint Resolution 16, sponsored by Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, and co-sponsored by Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City. The resolution would impose a temporary one-cent sales and use tax for transportation purposes. The resolution would put to the vote of the people a ballot proposal that would raise Missouri’s sales and use tax by 1 percent for a 10-year period. The proceeds for the additional sales and use tax would be used for transportation-related items: 5 percent of the sales and use tax proceeds would be distributed to various counties; another 5 percent would be distributed to various cities, towns and villages; and the remainder of the sales and use tax proceeds would be used for state highway or transportation system purposes. The temporary sales and use tax measure would be resubmitted to Missouri voters every 10 years until the ballot proposal is defeated. Additionally, counties and municipalities are prohibited from tolling existing highways or bridges during the duration of the sales and use tax implemented by SJR 16. The Senate’s Daily Audio/Video Clips from May 15 and May 17 feature Sen. Kehoe and Sen. McKenna discussing SJR 16 with his colleagues in the Senate chamber. Members of the General Assembly this year also considered Senate Bill 253, sponsored by Sen. Justus, along with its companion bill, House Bill 210, which would revamp Missouri’s more than 30-year-old criminal code. The legislation would create new felony and misdemeanor classes, change various provisions relating to domestic violence, enhance penalties for repeat offenders, as well as address various crimes relating to sexual offenses, stealing and property crime, gambling, drug and intoxication-related offenses, and leaving the scene of an accident. During a press conference held this week, Sen. Justus, along with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, indicated that revising Missouri’s aging criminal code would be a top priority next session. The Senate’s Daily Audio/Video Clips from May 15 include Sen. Dixon and Sen. Justus during a press conference on SB 253 and HB 210. House Bill 320, carried through the upper chamber by Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, failed in the final hours of session. The bill would have changed the Missouri Human Rights Act to state a practice is unlawful when the protected trait is a motivating factor in the decision to discriminate, unless in adverse impact cases, which would follow federal anti-discrimination law. The Missouri Human Rights Act makes it illegal to discriminate in any aspect of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or age. House Bill 320 would have also barred employers from discharging someone who reports an unlawful act or an act that is believed to be unlawful; a person who reports serious misconduct of the employer or its agent that violates a clear mandate of public policy; an individual who refuses to carry out a directive that would be a violation of law; or someone who engages in conduct otherwise protected by state statute or regulation. The final gavel fell on the 97th General Assembly, First Regular Session, at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17. Barring the call of a special session by the governor, lawmakers will return to Jefferson City in mid-September for the Legislature’s annual veto session. To see a complete list of “truly agreed to and finally passed” legislation, visit www.senate.mo.gov. On this site, visitors can track legislation considered by the General Assembly during the 2013 session and learn more about their legislative district and state senators. The Missouri Senate’s Capitol Briefing will be distributed and posted monthly throughout the interim. For more legislative news, please visit the Senate newsroom at www.senate.mo.gov/newsroom, where you will find various audio and video programs and other informational services, such as:
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