A Look Back at the 2017 Session
The 2017 legislative session came to an end Friday, May 12. Although the total number of bills we ultimately sent to the governor is down, the number of major accomplishments is way up. If this session had a theme, it was most definitely “grow Missouri’s economy and create good jobs.” While each lawmaker had a set of personal priorities to accomplish for his or her district, as a whole, we worked to craft measures that will reform our labor laws and tort laws and do away with job-killing regulations. As for my sponsored legislation, I’m pleased to share that three of my bills are headed to the governor’s desk.
The first of these is Senate Bill 248, which repeals the Organ Donor Program Fund’s expiration date. In 2011, the Legislature passed the organ donor tax checkoff measure, allowing Missouri taxpayers to make a financial contribution when completing their income tax form. All contributions go to the state’s Organ Donor Program Fund, which is currently set to expire Aug. 28, 2017. The organ donor tax checkoff offers Missouri citizens an easy opportunity to make a small contribution and help save the life of someone who is currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
Over the years, it’s been my honor to sponsor several successful policies aimed at helping our military, including this session’s Senate Bill 279, which expands the list of documents that demonstrate eligibility for a veteran designation on an applicant’s driver’s license or ID card. Specifically, SB 279 authorizes a person to receive a veteran designation on a driver’s license or ID card upon submission of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs photo ID card or a discharge document WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78 PD, NAVCG 553 or DD 215 form showing a discharge status of “honorable” or “general under honorable conditions.”
And last but certainly not least, lawmakers approved a bill I filed to further rein in bureaucratic overreach by the Department of Revenue and protect Missouri taxpayers from its egregious revenue-grabs. In 2015, the state Supreme Court ruled that charges for delivery of a rented crane were subject to use tax because the parties intended for delivery of the crane to be part of the crane rental. In response to the ruling, the DOR sent a letter notifying Missouri business owners they may soon be required to collect sales tax on delivery charges. Over the years, it has become increasingly common for Missouri courts to hand down a ruling and then have the DOR reinterpret state tax law — without legislative approval and without any regard for the impact on Missouri’s business community or families. Senate Bill 16 will exempt delivery charges from sales and use taxes.
While SB 16 addresses the Show-Me State’s need for serious regulatory reform, we also focused on tackling tort reform. Senate Bill 31 modifies Missouri’s collateral source rule by establishing that the appropriate recovery for medical expenses is the actual amount paid, not the value. It clarifies a 2005 law and returns state statute to its intended purpose by adding the definition of “actual cost.” Senate Bill 31 will restore fairness and reason to personal injury litigation while ensuring injured parties are sufficiently compensated for their out-of-pocket medical expenses.
We also passed a handful of labor reform bills that will further help Missouri become a more attractive place to do business, primarily by loosening the grip unions have long had on our state and our hardworking citizens. As many of you know, Missouri became the 28th Right to Work state earlier this year. For far too long, not being a Right to Work state prevented us from even being considered by businesses looking to expand or relocate their operations. Thankfully, that time is now over, as Senate Bill 19 officially ended forced unionism. Passing Right to Work was a major victory for worker freedom. While it was at the top of many lawmakers’ to-do list, it was only one piece of a much larger labor reform puzzle.
We also approved a measure to address the unfair and discriminatory practices of union-only Project Labor Agreements, or PLAs. Union-only PLAs require public construction projects to be performed by union contractors or contractors who agree to labor union demands. In theory, a non-union contractor can bid on a PLA project, but the contractor is then essentially required to become a union shop for the duration of the project. Senate Bill 182 removes the 50 percent state funding threshold for political subdivisions and labor agreements and prohibits bidders from entering into those types of agreements. It also ensures all contractors will get a chance to bid on the project.
In the end, the 2017 legislative session came down to quality over quantity. It was truly historic and one in which I’m proud to have been a part. In addition to the above measures, along with many more not mentioned here, we passed legislation expanding ridesharing services in Missouri and delivered a balanced budget to the governor for Fiscal Year 2018.
To view a list of all legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly during the 2017 session, please visit the Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov or click here. The governor has 30 days from when he receives bills to act on them, either signing them into law or vetoing them. If the governor takes no action on a bill, it becomes law without his signature at the end of the 30-day period.
Join the conversation and follow me on Twitter @SenWillKraus. Pease feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and will try to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at (573) 751-1464, or email at Will.Kraus@Senate.Mo.Gov.
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Senator Will Kraus serves Eastern Jackson County in the 8th State Senatorial District.