2018 Legislative Session Enters Final Stretch
The Missouri General Assembly has returned from its yearly mid-session recess, and the Senate is set to consider a slew of legislative proposals before the conclusion of the 2018 legislative session. Our body has until May 18 to pass new bills. Here’s a look at what we might consider.
Senate Bill 617 is a proposed tax reform package that would slightly raise the state’s fuel tax but significantly lower citizens’ overall tax burden. The measure has already undergone hours of floor discussion in the Senate, but has yet to be taken up for a final vote. The bill aims to jumpstart the Missouri economy while providing additional infrastructure funding. If Senate Bill 617 becomes law, most Missourians, as well as many businesses, will see their taxes decrease.
Another proposal under consideration, Senate Bill 546, would strengthen Missouri’s joinder and venue laws. In brief, this bill would free up the state’s courts by making it more difficult for out-of-state plaintiffs to sue in Missouri. It’s a needed fix to prevent court shopping, the process of intentionally suing in the most favorable jurisdiction available.
Senate Bills 982 and 928 are proposed changes to protect patients from getting charged “out-of-network” fees if they go to the emergency room. When a patient goes to a local hospital for emergency care they really have no control over which doctor they see, and sometimes that doctor is out of the insurance network even if the hospital is in-network. This bill would address this problem and keep patients from footing the bill for out-of-network costs on in-network care.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.