Jefferson City — Property tax reform would spring in to action, teachers would have an alternative route to certification and the current village incorporation law would be repealed under legislation passed this week by the Missouri Senate.
Three bills received final approval from the full Senate this week and will now move on to the House for similar consideration. Senate Bill 711, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood), was among those passed. The bill institutes comprehensive property tax reform and protects Missouri taxpayers from tax increases caused by reassessment. The legislation also closes tax increase loopholes, requires earlier notice and more information to taxpayers and expands tax relief for seniors and the disabled.
Also passed by the Senate was SB 1066, sponsored by Sen. Luann Ridgeway (R-Smithville), which provides another means for teacher certification in Missouri. A teacher would be considered certified by the state if he or she receives certification from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., and funded through federal grants.
Prospective teachers must also verify their ability to work with children by completing 60 hours in the classroom. The only exceptions are in the areas of early childhood, elementary or special education where the teacher must still receive traditional certification. A bachelor’s degree in education is not required for certification under this program, allowing mid-career professionals who want to become teachers a more time-conscious path to certification.
The village repeal law, SB 765, sponsored by Sen. Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon), was also given final approval. This bill repeals the law enacted last August that makes it substantially easier for an individual to incorporate a village, bypassing county planning and zoning regulations. Sen. Goodman’s initiative restores the original language of the law prior to its enactment and disincorporates any village created under the law.
Several bills received first-round approval by the Senate this week. Senate Bill 720, sponsored by Sen. Maida Coleman (D-St. Louis), prohibits electric or natural gas companies from shutting off service to delinquent customers on days when the temperature is forecasted to rise above 95 degrees or the heat index above 105 degrees. A cold weather rule already in place prohibits utilities from shutting off service between March and November when the temperature is forecasted to dip below 32 degrees.
Senate Bill 806, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington), also received initial approval. The legislation requires all government buildings to fly the U.S. and Missouri flags at half-staff for one day when any Missouri resident is killed in combat.
Sen. Jeff Smith’s (D-St. Louis) landlord liability bill was given first-round approval as well. Senate Bill 781 shields property owners from liability for losses or damages while removing a tenant’s household goods, furnishings, fixtures or any other personal property in order to clear out rental property following a legally-ordered eviction. The proposal also would allow any property owned by a third party left in or near the rental property to be recovered within five business days of notification. If the property is unclaimed, landlords would then be allowed to dispose of it without liability for loss or damage.
Senate Bill 778, sponsored by Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) received initial approval this week. The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination bill, gives female students enrolling in sixth grade the opportunity to receive, at the option of a parent or guardian, the HPV vaccine. The bill also requires state health officials to distribute the information to the parents of all girls entering the sixth grade in Missouri public schools. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine, deeming it effective in blocking four strains of the virus that causes nearly 70 percent of cervical cancers.
A subject of extensive debate on the floor this week was a biodiesel bill, SB 759, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton). The legislation requires that all diesel fuel sold at retail in Missouri on and after April 1, 2010, be a biodiesel-blended fuel. This bill is similar to the ethanol mandate that went into effect January 1 requiring almost all gasoline sold in Missouri to be 10 percent ethanol.
February 28 was the last day lawmakers were able to introduce new bills for consideration this session. One bill introduced this week was SB 1186, filed by Sen. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington). Currently, federal law states that anyone living in the U.S. illegally cannot receive any state or local benefits, including housing, food or unemployment assistance. Senate Bill 1186 reinforces the federal regulation and ensures that proof of residency is provided by anyone receiving public assistance, a stipulation the federal law leaves as a responsibility of the state.
Sen. Chris Koster (D-Harrisonville) introduced an immigration bill as well, SB 1230, which creates the Missouri Omnibus Immigration Act. Several provisions relating to illegal immigration are included in the legislation, one that makes it illegal for employers to hire unauthorized workers. To ensure employers are complying with the act, they are required to participate in a federal status verification system to verify their employees’ work status. The bill also penalizes employers that knowingly misclassify a worker. In addition, law enforcement officers would be required to question the immigration status of criminals and illegal immigrants would be barred from attending all Missouri public universities and receiving any type of publicassistance or benefit.
To follow these and other issues facing the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. Visitors can track legislation as it passes through the General Assembly, learn more about their Senate district, or listen to streaming audio of legislative debate as it happens.
The Missouri Senate will reconvene at 4 p.m. Monday, March 3. The Second Regular Session of the 94th Missouri General Assembly will run through Friday, May 16.
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