By the time the session officially ended at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17, the Missouri Legislature had sent to the governor more than 180 bills. I carried and sponsored a number of measures this year to improve the lives of citizens in the 20th District. The following bills were sent to the governor for the 2013 session.

Benevolent Tax Credits

Missouri’s benevolent tax credit programs support charities and non-profit organizations like food pantries and pregnancy resource centers. Unfortunately, a number were set to expire this year. To address the issue, we approved Senate Bill 20, which was combined with legislation I sponsored to extend or renew our state’s benevolent tax credits, including the Residential Dwelling Accessibility Tax Credit, the Pregnancy Resource Center Tax Credit and the Food Pantry Tax Credit, among others. I was grateful to see it pass.

Ending the Cycle of Poverty

This year I handled House Bill 986, which extends the sunset on the “Hand-up Program.” The program lets recipients of child care benefits increase their income without totally losing the benefits by paying a premium on the additional income. It’s a more gradual, tiered system, versus the previous not-a-penny-more income threshold that mostly discouraged recipients from getting higher paying jobs.

The bill also extends the “Ticket to Work” program, which gives Medicaid coverage to disabled workers who would otherwise make too much income to qualify for state health care.

Finally, House Bill 986 contains a provision that transfers $55 million of general revenue so the state can continue operating the First Steps program, which helps developmentally disabled children, and a handful of others. The future of these programs was in danger after the governor vetoed legislation tied to savings in the budget. House Bill 986 fixes the issue. 

Ensuring the Safety of Pharmaceutical Drugs

In the mid 2000s, the General Assembly began appropriating funds to allow the Board of Pharmacy to test drugs to ensure they have the proper strength and quality, largely to prevent incidents like the compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts that dispensed contaminated drugs, resulting in 44 deaths.

The problem is that no law was ever passed specifically granting the board the authority to test these drugs. Senate Bill 306, which I filed this session, gives the board the power to continue its drug-testing program.

Giving Consumers All the Facts

Last year I was alerted to a problem in our district related to a subdivision in Rogersville. A number of citizens had purchased homes there, only to later learn the properties had substantial liens against them for Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) tax assessments from previous owners. These liens did not turn up on any title searches, so most homeowners didn’t find out until after they bought the house. Senate Bill 248 requires the notice of neighborhood improvement districts to be filed with the recorder of deeds so these liens will turn up on title searches and consumers can know exactly what they’re buying.

Protecting Our Emergency Workers

Multiple emergency responders have been struck by passing traffic while working the scene of an accident. Some have even died. Senate Bill 282 increases the penalties for moving violations and traffic offenses that occur within an active emergency zone. This bill creates a safety zone around the scene of accidents to discourage imprudent driving and increases the penalties for those who drive carelessly near roadside emergencies. 

Improving Medical Services in Missouri

I filed a number of measures this year aimed at improving medical services for Missourians. House Bill 315, the House version of my legislation, Senate Bill 147, will allow elderly patients with prescription eye-drops to get refills before the prescriptions officially expire. This will let those elderly patients, who because of accidental spills might not have enough for the full 30 days, get a refill without having to go back to the doctor. The bill also gives the Board of Healing Arts the authority to regulate athletic trainers in our state to ensure they meet current standards.

In addition, the General Assembly approved Senate Bill 330, which modifies the legal requirement that advanced nurse practioners in collaborative practice arrangements with doctors maintain a certain distance from the physician so that these nurses can provide care at rural health clinics. The bill only suspends the requirement for 28 days a year. The legislation will also allow dental assistants to apply pit or fissure sealants and topical fluoride.

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

I filed legislation this session to designate a bridge on US Highway 65 in Greene County as the “Missouri Fallen Soldiers Memorial Bridge” in recognition of the great sacrifices our military members make to defend our country. My measure was eventually included in House Bill 303, an omnibus transportation bill.

Transparency in the Initiative Petition Process

There have been numerous reports of abuse within the initiative petition process, from falsifying signatures to misleading citizens on what exactly they’re signing. House Bill 117, which I carried in the Senate, adds more transparency to the initiative petition process so the public knows exactly who’s sponsoring the petition and what exactly they’re endorsing.

If you have any questions or comments about this or any other matter regarding your state government, please feel free to contact me at (573) 751-1503; you are also welcome to e-mail me at jay.wasson@senate.mo.gov.