As we mark the end of our sixth week, we are one-third of the way through the 2014 legislative session.

Senators returned to the Capitol Monday afternoon to debate legislation that would overhaul laws pertaining to firearms in Missouri (SB 613).  After several hours of debate, the bill was laid over for consideration at a later time.  Thereafter, members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met to consider seven pieces of legislation, many of which were related to trust and estate laws in Missouri.

Tuesday morning began with a hearing of the Senate Seniors, Families and Pensions Committee which met to consider three pieces of legislation.  The first, Senate Bill 720, would create new rules and requirements for child care providers who receive state or federal funding.  The rules add more training requirements for child care providers, and require that a website be created whereby parents can access inspection and other valuable information that will aid in determining the quality of such centers. The committee also heard Senate Bill 641, which would expand the definition of “ultimate user” to include a person who lawfully possesses a controlled substance for use by a member of the person’s immediate family regardless of whether or not the two reside together. The legislation was sponsored to address a constituent case whereby a woman was charged with a crime for possessing prescription medication for a family member.  The final bill heard, Senate Bill 660, creates a funding priority for the state with regard to grants or public funds for family planning services.  The bill states that such monies shall first be given to health care facilities owned or operated by the state, non-public hospitals and federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics and non-public health care providers.

Senate debate on Tuesday was productive as senators were able to consider and pass several pieces of legislation, including two bills related to navigators.  The first of which requires those that apply for navigator licenses to take an exam administered by the Missouri Department of Insurance and requires that they provide fingerprints for purposes of criminal record reviews (SB 508).  The second bill creates a private cause of action against navigators whose private identifying information was released to anyone other than those entities that need lawful access (SB 498).

Wednesday morning, the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held its first meeting of the year.  Members heard Senate Bill 707 which modifies the definition of all-terrain vehicles.  The modifications state that handlebars are no longer required and that seats on the vehicle can hold one or more persons. The committee also heard Senate Bill 600, which would remove the additional fee for the Gold Star license plates issued to certain family members of resident members of the U.S. military.

Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee met to hear several pieces of legislation and to vote several bills out of committee, which means they now head to the Senate floor. Two of the bills voted out of committee would increase the caps for tax credit programs related to food pantries and pregnancy resource centers (SBs 638 & SB 647).  The amount of tax credits that may be issued in a fiscal year for taxpayers who make donations to pregnancy resource centers is increased from $2 million to $2.5 million, while the amount that may be issued for those who donate to food pantries increased from $1.25 to $1.75 million.  

The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 711 which relates to residential property ordinances in third and fourth class cities. The bill would create regulations that may require land owners to register with the city and/or have an agent that lives within 50 miles of the city.  The idea is to have better communication with property owners when certain issues and/or ordinance violations arise.  Senate Bill 729 was also presented to the committee. The bill creates a tax credit for donations to innovation campuses, which are partnerships between high schools, colleges and businesses. Donations are only eligible for the tax credit when they advance learning in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday, I had the pleasure of meeting with several constituents in town for various lobby days, including constituents with the National Federation of the Blind, the Missouri Psychological Association, the American Family Therapists, the Restaurant Association, the National Education Association, the Municipal League and dental hygienists from the 24th District.  I always enjoy the opportunity to meet with constituents and hear what issues are important to them.

Thursday morning started with a meeting of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.  The first bill heard, Senate Bill 733, reduces the personal and corporate income tax rates and increases the cap on the federal income tax liability deduction.  Senate Joint Resolution 44 was second on the schedule.  That resolution requires any state revenues received in excess of what is appropriated, to be refunded to tax payers in the form of a tax credit. The final bill heard in committee, Senate Bill 727, would create a sales and use tax exemption for farm products sold at farmers’ markets.

Later that morning, senators give final approval to several of the Senate bills perfected earlier in the week before adjourning.

As always, thank you for your interest in the legislative process.  Please feel free to contact me at any time should you have questions about the process.

Sincerely,

Senator John Lamping

24th Senatorial District