HCS HB 311 Riggs, Louis Committee
HCS HB 311 -- TASK FORCES
SPONSOR: Riggs
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Government Efficiency and Downsizing by a vote of 14 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Regulatory Oversight by a vote of 9 to 0.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 311.
MISSOURI STATE TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE (Section 1.510)
This bill establishes the "Missouri State Technology Task Force".
The mission of the Task Force is to:
(1) Evaluate the condition of the state's current technology platforms;
(2) Evaluate the uses of cloud computing and artificial intelligence to improve the state's technological foundation and customer service;
(3) Evaluate the state's certificate programs and workforce development efforts, including any efforts to use knowledge models to help guide students into certain employment areas from young ages so that they are able to advance in rewarding careers;
(4) Research and review adaptive technology initiatives for state use;
(5) Evaluate current cost-spending and cost-saving state technological protocols;
(6) Make recommendations regarding the condition of the state's technological systems;
(7) Make recommendations regarding the condition of the state's citizen accessible technology platforms; and
(8) Make recommendations regarding the use of technology and artificial intelligence to improve state management of records and to enable Missouri citizens and agencies to have more efficient electronic communications and access.
The Task Force membership is listed in the bill, and includes members of the General Assembly: with five members of the House of Representatives, of which three members are appointed by the Speaker and two members appointed by the Minority Leader; and three members of the Senate with two appointed by the President Pro Tem and one appointed by the Minority Leader. Membership will also include: appointees of the executive branch; and appointees that are subject matter experts in Missouri-based technology providers, cyber security, web-based communication services, electronic records and storage retention, and large-scale software implementation.
The Task Force shall submit a summary of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly before August 28, 2024. The Task Force will be suspended on January 1, 2025, after which a new set of members will be appointed as provided in the bill. The Task Force will resume its operations on January 1, 2026 and report an updated summary of its findings and recommendations for legislation to the General Assembly on August 28, 2026. Thereafter, the Task Force will continue to meet every two years.
The Missouri State Technology Task force shall sunset 12 years after it's effective date.
21ST CENTURY INNOVATION HUB TASK FORCE (Section 1.511)
This bill establishes the "21st Century Innovation Hub Task Force".
The membership of the Task Force includes but is not limited to: five members of the House of Representatives, with three members to be appointed by the Speaker and two members to be appointed by the Minority Leader; and three members of the Senate with two members to be appointed by the President Pro Tem and one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader. The remaining membership is outlined in the bill.
The mission of the Task Force is to maximize and expand existing industries that spur technological innovation throughout the state. The Task Force will make recommendations for legislation as well as submit a report outlining a summary of Task Force activities to the General Assembly before August 28, 2024. The Task Force will suspend operations on January 1, 2025 and reconvene on January 1, 2026 to provide updates and review recommendations to be presented by August 28, 2026.
These provisions shall sunset 12 years after the effective date.
DECENTRALIZING STATE GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE (Section 1.1300)
This bill establishes the "Decentralizing State Government Task Force."
Membership shall consist of: Three members of the House of Representatives, two appointed by the Speaker and one appointed by the Minority Floor Leader; three members of the Senate, two appointed by the President Pro Tem and one appointed by the Minority Floor Leader; the State Auditor or his or her designee; and the Commissioner of Administration or his or her designee.
The Task Force's duties shall include: to evaluate the degree of centralization of the various functions of government; to evaluate the capacity for the private sector and political subdivisions to assume responsibilities currently under the purview of state government; and to make recommendations regarding decentralizing state government to the General Assembly.
A summary of the Task Force's activities and recommendations shall be due to the General Assembly by September 30, 2024. The Task Force will suspend its operation on September 30, 2024 and shall resume its operations on September 30, 2025 with a new set of members, as specified in the bill.
These provisions shall sunset 12 years after the effective date.
STATE BUILDING USAGE TASK FORCE (Section 8.930)
This bill establishes the "State Building Usage Task Force."
The members of the Task Force shall be: three members of the Missouri House of Representatives, two appointed by the Speaker of the House and one appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of the House; three members of the Senate, two appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate and one appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of the Senate; the State Auditor or his or her designee; and the Commissioner of Administration or his or her designee.
The duties of the Task Force shall be to:
(1) Provide and maintain an accurate account of Missouri state-owned real property;
(2) Evaluate the conditions of all state-owned real property;
(3) Evaluate the funding each property is receiving for the purpose of its maintenance and whether said funding is sufficient;
(4) Make recommendations, including if state-owned property is in need of rehabilitation or liquidation;
(5) create detailed plans for the rehabilitation or liquidation of state-owned property; and
(6) Make recommendations regarding funding for the maintenance of state-owned property.
The Task Force shall report a summary of its activities and recommendations to the General Assembly by September 30, 2024. The Task Force shall periodically resume its operations, as provided in the bill.
The provisions of the bill will sunset 12 years after its effective date.
21ST-CENTURY MISSOURI SOCIAL SERVICES GAP ANALYSIS TASK FORCE (Section 191.1161)
This bill establishes the "21st-Century Missouri Social Services Gap Analysis Task Force".
The membership of the Task Force includes but is not limited to: six members of the House of Representatives, with three such members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one to be the chair of the House Budget Committee, and two appointed by the Minority Leader; three members of the Senate, with two such members appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate and one appointed by the Minority Leader; 16 members appointed by the Speaker of the House with various subject matter expertise; the Chief Information Officer of the state;, and the directors or their designees of the Departments of Health and Senior Services, Social Services, and Mental Health.
The mission of the Task Force is outlined in the bill and includes evaluation of the current condition of the state's social services system, as defined in the bill, evaluation of funding, and recommendations on how to fill any gaps in the social services system.
The Task Force will make recommendations for legislation as well as submit a report outlining a summary of task force activities to the General Assembly before August 28, 2024. The Task Force will suspend operations on January 1, 2025 and reconvene on January 1, 2026 to provide updates and review recommendations to be presented by August 28, 2026. The Task Force will continue to meet every two years until this section terminates on August 28, 2035.
MISSOURI TASK FORCE ON NONPROFIT SAFETY AND SECURITY (Section 650.900)
This bill establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Nonprofit Safety and Security". The Task Force is tasked with studying and making recommendations on the security needs of nonprofit organizations at elevated risk of terrorist attacks in Missouri. Members of the Task Force shall be appointed by the Director of Public Safety. The Task Force shall report at least annually to the Office of Homeland Security of its findings and recommendations with respect to terrorist attacks in Missouri.
SUPPLEMENTAL NONPROFIT SAFETY AND SECURITY FUND (Section 650.910)
This bill establishes the "Supplemental Nonprofit Safety and Security Fund". The Fund shall be used to defray costs of security enhancements or measures, as specified in the bill, for eligible nonprofit organizations. Eligible nonprofit organizations are those organizations whose applications for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Nonprofit Security Grant Program have been approved by the Department of Public Safety Office of Homeland Security. An eligible organization may receive a grant from the Fund of up to 5% of the available grant pool.
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say this bill would help Missouri expand its existing innovation hubs and develop new ones in order to be competitive in and benefit from the 21st Century economy.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Riggs; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Missouri Corn Growers Association.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.