Legislative Column for June 8, 2018
While the legislative session has ended, the legislative process has continued these past weeks. Once bills are voted out of the Missouri General Assembly, they go to the governor for final approval or veto. A number of bills which I sponsored, handled or amended were approved by the governor recently and several more remain on his desk for further consideration. These include:
House Bill 1879 is the companion House bill to legislation I filed in the Senate. This measure updates and modernizes Missouri’s public fund statutes. Through this legislation, I believe we can improve the financial relationship between banks and local governments. This bill was signed into the law by the governor on June 1.
House Bill 1880 declares that expanding and accelerating access to high-speed internet is in the best interests of Missouri. This legislation also encourages rural electric cooperatives to work with and enter into agreements with certain entities to accomplish this important goal. Moving forward in the 21st Century, access to high-speed internet is a necessity. I sponsored similar legislation in the Missouri Senate and handled the passage of the House Bill for the bill’s sponsor. On June 1, the governor signed this bill into law.
Senate Bill 769 reforms several provisions of state law regarding financial transactions. This bill allows state municipal bonds to qualify as collateral. These bonds must be highly rated, such as AAA and AA. I believe this change will allow bonds to be used by school districts and other entities, thus providing additional financial opportunities for our schools. Additionally, this bill removes requirements that hinder community banks from serving their local communities and schools. I believe this local touch is a win-win for everyone. Overall, I believe SB 769 will not only assist the banking industry, but help schools better compete for funds as well. The governor is still reviewing this proposal.
Senate Bill 568 changes state law regarding pay raises for county officials. This legislation allows a county salary commission to increase base salaries for county office holders up to $2,000, as long as the pay raise applies to all positions. In addition, the legislation allows the commission to increase the base salary of their county sheriff by $6,000. The bill awaits the governor’s approval.
Senate Bill 627 is an agriculture omnibus bill that deals with a range of issues, including urban and community gardens, bison, honey bees, the sale of certain meats and the use of fertilizers. This bill includes Senate Bill 1006, legislation I sponsored this year. Currently, any timber cut on land classified as forest cropland is subject to a yield tax. The legislation repeals this tax on forestry products. Senate Bill 627 was signed by the governor on June 1.
Senate Bill 708 raises the minimum motor vehicle liability coverage a person must carry for others’ property when operating a motor vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law. The legislation raises the requirement from $10,000 to $25,000. Additionally, this bill requires an insurance agent to notify their client of any reduction in coverage at least 15 days prior to the policy change taking effect. This is similar to Senate Bill 955, legislation I sponsored during session. Currently, SB 708 is awaiting the governor’s approval.
Senate Bill 819 strengthens state law regarding children living in Missouri. This bill includes numerous provisions intended to protect children in foster care and in other vulnerable situations. The legislation also makes it easier for the state’s Children’s Division and other state agencies to share information regarding child abuse and neglect investigations. In addition, SB 819 allows states to share information involving child abuse cases. The governor signed this bill into law on June 1.
Senate Bill 843 reforms several of the state’s administrative boards and commissions. This bill also contains Senate Bill 821, legislation I sponsored intended to improve the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Under this measure, one member of the state nursing board must be an advanced practice registered nurse. I believe this requirement brings valuable expertise to the nursing board and will better equip it to carry out its mission of healing Missourians. Senate Bill 843 was signed into law on June 1.
Senate Bill 951 is an omnibus health care bill. One of the provisions I incorporated into this bill deals with long-term care certificates of need. Currently, a health care facility seeking to increase its total number of beds by ten or less, or ten percent or less of its total bed capacity over a two-year period, may be eligible for a non-applicability review under the certificate of need program. This bill only allows the review to take place as long as the facility has had no patient care class I deficiencies within the last eighteen months and has maintained at least an 85 percent average occupancy rate for the previous 18 months. The governor has yet to take action on this proposal.
House Bill 1250 modifies state law regarding estates and trusts. This bill stipulates whenever a trust names, appoints, authorizes or otherwise designates a trust protector, the trust shall be deemed a directed trust. In carrying out any written directions given by the trustee, the trust protector shall not be subject to the Prudent Investor Act. This House Bill was signed into the law by the governor on June 1, and is similar to legislation I sponsored in the Missouri Senate.
House Bill 1291 includes language I sponsored regarding transportation infrastructure funding. This legislation aims to encourage counties to cooperate on road projects with other political subdivisions within the county. It also provides counties additional authority to issue bonds for street maintenance and repair, while repealing a portion of state law requiring road bond construction funds to only be used on continuous roads within the county.
House Bill 1719 reforms Missouri’s professional registration laws. This legislation includes Senate Bill 824, legislation I sponsored regarding nurses who practice under the influence of drugs and other substances. Senate Bill 824 allows the Missouri State Board of Nursing to establish an intervention program to help with the identification, intervention, treatment and monitoring of nurses and those applying for a nursing license who have a substance use disorder. House Bill 1719 was approved by the governor on June 1.
I believe these bills will help move our state forward. The Missouri General Assembly passed numerous pieces of legislation intended to improve our state’s economic outlook and make our state a better place to live, work and raise a family. I am proud of the work my colleagues and I accomplished during the 2018 legislative session.
As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882.