To repeal section 197.310, RSMo 1994, relating to the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the same subject.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Section 197.310, RSMo 1994, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 197.310, to read as follows:

197.310. 1. The "Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee" is hereby established. The agency shall provide clerical and administrative support to the committee. The committee may employ additional staff as it deems necessary.

2. The committee shall be composed of[:

(1) Two members of the senate appointed by the president pro tem, who shall be from different political parties; and

(2) Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker, who shall be from different political parties; and

(3)] five members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, not more than three of whom shall be from the same political party.

3. No business of this committee shall be performed without a majority of the full body.

4. The members shall be appointed as soon as possible after September 28, 1979. [One of the senate members, one of the house members and three of the members appointed by the governor shall serve until January 1, 1981, and the remaining members shall serve until January 1, 1982.] All [subsequent] members shall be appointed in the manner provided in subsection 2 of this section and shall serve terms of two years.

5. The committee shall elect a chairman at its first meeting which shall be called by the governor. The committee shall meet upon the call of the chairman or the governor.

6. The committee shall review and approve or disapprove all applications for a certificate of need made under sections 197.300 to 197.365. It shall issue reasonable rules and regulations governing the submission, review and disposition of applications.

7. Members of the committee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

8. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 4 of section 610.025, RSMo, the proceedings and records of the facilities review committee shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 610, RSMo.