HCS/SB 18 - This act modifies provisions relating to the collection of money by public entities. SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS This act affirms the construction and application of existing law as expressed by the Missouri Supreme Court in Bridge Data Co. v. Director of Revenue, 794 S.W.2d 204 (Mo. banc 1990), DST Systems, Inc. v. Director of Revenue, 43 S.W.3d 799 (Mo. banc 2001), Southwestern Bell Tel. Co. v. Director of Revenue, 78 S.W.3d 763 (Mo. banc 2002), and Southwestern Bell Tel. Co. v. Director of Revenue, 182 S.W.3d 226 (Mo. banc 2005) regarding certain sales tax exemptions, as described in the act. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 332 (2017) and similar to SB 247 (2017), SB 325 (2017), and a provision in HB 938 (2017). BUSINESS FEES This act waives specified business fees when a specified organizer, majority shareholder, officer, director, or partner of a company, corporation, health services corporation, nonprofit corporation, cooperative company, or partnership is either a military spouse or a veteran who resides in Missouri and provides proof of marriage, if applicable, and military service to the Secretary of State. These provisions are substantially similar to SS/SB 799 (2016). BIG GOVERNMENT GET OFF MY BACK ACT This act requires that the state of Missouri shall not increase any user fees for a five-year period beginning August 28, 2017, unless the fee increase is to implement a federal program administered by the state or is a result of an act by the General Assembly. For a five-year period beginning August 28, 2017, any state agency proposing a rule not required by the federal government or the general assembly must, in addition to current requirements, certify the rule relates to implementing a government program that uses private contractors and the rule would result in net savings for Missouri taxpayers. (Section 1.310) This provision is identical to SCS/SB 183 (2017) and HB 1639 (2016) and similar to HB 32 (2015) and SB 459 (2015). This act also changes the definition of "small businesses" to those consisting of fewer than twenty-five full- or part-time employees rather than fifty. TAX DEDUCTION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES For the 2017-2021 tax years, any small business shall be allowed an income tax deduction for each new job created, as defined in the act. This act also changes the definition of "small businesses" to those consisting of fewer than twenty-five full- or part-time employees rather than fifty. This provision contains a sunset clause. (Section 143.173) This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 183 (2017). SCOTT SVAGERA