Legislative Actions Last Week
ABORTION
HB 1940 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), requires certain businesses to provide four weeks of paid family leave for its employees for the birth or adoption of a child. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
SB 693 Introduced by Senator Wilson (D), enacts the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund. Heard in the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday.
HB 1365 Sponsored by Representative Emery (R), specifies that no pharmacy can be required to perform, assist, recommend, refer to, or participate in any act or service resulting in an abortion and it will be immune from liability for refusing to do so. Referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1546 Sponsored by Representative Harris (D), changes the requirements for reporting abortions to the Department of Health and Senior Services. Referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1961 Sponsored by Representative Stacey Newman (D), relates to the duty of pharmacies to fill prescriptions. Introduced and first read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.
HB 2000 Sponsored by Representative Pratt (R), changes the laws regarding the consent requirements for obtaining an abortion and creates the crime of coercing an abortion. Introduced and first read in the House on Thursday.
CRIME
HB 1854 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), creates the School Safety and School Violence Prevention Fund. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1856 Sponsored by Representative Grill (D), increases the penalty for the crime of selling, providing, or distributing tobacco products to any person younger than 18 years of age. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1869 Sponsored by Representative Scharnhorst (R), revises the law concerning surcharges in criminal cases for the DNA profiling analysis Fund. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1870 Sponsored by Representative Roorda (D), establishes the Commission on the Death Penalty, places a moratorium on all executions until January 1, 2013 and creates the Cold Case Investigation Revolving Fund. Second read in the House on Monday.
SB 589 Introduced by Senator Nodler (R), Bars felons from holding public office. Heard in the in Senate Elections Committee on Monday.
SB 692 Introduced by Senator Wilson (D), criminalizes displaying a noose for the purpose of intimidation. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
SB 779 Introduced by Senator Bartle (R), modifies provisions relating to the DNA profiling system. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
SJR 20 Introduced by Senator Bartle (R), creates an exception to the prohibition against laws retrospective in operation by allowing certain laws pertaining to DNA profiling analysis to be applied retrospectively. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday night.
HB 1902 Sponsored by Representative Guernsey (R), creates the crime of endangering a department of mental health employee, a visitor or other person at a secure facility, or another offender. Second read in the house on Tuesday.
HB 1921 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), establishes the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act to prohibit large-scale commercial breeding of dogs that is harmful and unhealthy. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
HB 1927 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), allows for the compensation of a person wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
HB 1947 Sponsored by Representative Corcoran (D), prohibits the use of automated speed enforcement systems to enforce speeding violations, with a few exceptions. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday, and second read on Wednesday.
HB 1289 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), requires the Department of Social Services to test certain applicants for and recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program for the illegal use of controlled substances. Referred to the House Healthcare Transformation Committee Wednesday.
HB 1938 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), prohibits school bus drivers to sit idling the engine of a school bus while loading or unloading children at a school or while waiting for children to load or unload at a school. Second read in the House on Wednesday.
HB 1958 Sponsored by Representative Stacey Newman (D), modifies various provisions relating to domestic violence. Second read in the House on Wednesday.
SB 631 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1758 Sponsored by Representative Rucker (D), establishes the Blue Alert System and the Blue Alert System Oversight Committee to assist in the identification and location of any person suspected of killing or seriously wounding a law enforcement officer. Referred to the House Public Safety Committee on Thursday.
HB 2036 Sponsored by Representative Lampe (D), changes the laws regarding bullying in schools. Introduced and first read in the House on Thursday.
SB 857 Introduced by Senator Schaefer (R), expands the definition of “dangerous felony”, for which a person must serve 85% of his or her sentence. Second read and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
SB 859 Introduced by Senator Schaefer (R), makes a third assault offense, regardless of the degree, a class D felony. Second read and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
SB 864 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), prohibits political subdivisions from using automated traffic enforcement systems to enforce traffic violations unless violations are prosecuted criminally and points are imposed. Second read and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday.
DRUGS & ALCOHOL
SB 836 Introduced by Senator Justus (D), specifies that courts may establish DWI dockets or courts and modifies other criminal and administrative procedures for certain intoxication-related offenses. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday night.
SB 780 Introduced by Senator Bartle (R), makes refusing to submit to chemical testing a separate offense and changes the time line for when a DWI arrest without a warrant must occur. Heard in the senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
SCS SB’s 607(Stouffer), SB 602(Crowell), 615(Goodman) & 725(Rupp), requires drug screening and testing for applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. Senate Committee Substitute created on Tuesday.
SB 880 Introduced by Senator Schaefer (R), creates DWI dockets and courts and a court surcharge of $100 on intoxication-related traffic offenses to support operation of DWI dockets and courts. First read in the Senate on Tuesday.
HB 1803 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), requires the board of education of each school district to adopt a policy for the random testing of the district’s teachers and other employees for the unlawful use of controlled substances. Referred to the House Secondary Education Committee on Wednesday.
HCS HB 1377 Sponsored by Representative Brandom (R), requires the Department of Social Services to test applicants for or recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits for the illegal use of controlled substances. Perfected in the House on Thursday.
EDUCATION
HB 1858 Sponsored by Representative Zimmerman (D), moves the “Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program” from the department of Natural Resources to the department of higher education. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1861 Sponsored by Representative Grill (D), establishes the Missouri Books From Birth Program to encourage preschool children to read. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1862 Sponsored by Representative Grill (D), requires school board members to have lived in the school district for one year prior to serving on the board. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1892 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), extends the ability to issue work certificates to the principal or chief executive officer of private and charter schools. Introduced and first read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.
HB 1905 Sponsored by Representative Wilson (R), establishes the Professional Relationships Between Teachers and School Districts Act which specifies the procedures under which local school boards can meet and negotiate with employee organizations. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday, and second read on Wednesday.
HB 1911 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), allows bus companies that contract with public schools to fingerprint applicants and making hiring decisions based on that information. First read in the House on Tuesday.
HB 1628 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), establishes the Metropolitan District Dropout Prevention Program to provide grants to the St. Louis Public School District. Referred to the House Secondary Education Committee on Wednesday.
ELECTIONS & ETHICS
HB 1838 Sponsored by Representative Zimmerman (D), prohibits any elected official or such official’s staff from registering or acting as a lobbyist for one year after leaving office or employment. Referred to the House Ethics reform Committee on Monday.
HB 1846 Sponsored by Representative Hobbs (R), changes the laws regarding ethics and lobbying. Referred to the House Ethics Reform Committee on Monday, and heard in committee on Thursday.
HB 2032 Sponsored by Representative Wasson (R), prohibits gubernatorial appointees from holding office in or contributing to political parties or organizations and from taking part in any political campaign during their term of office. Introduced and first read in the House on Thursday.
HB 1872 Sponsored by Representative Schoeller (R), establishes the Fair Influence in Government Act which prohibits the use of public funds for lobbying purposes. Second read, and referred to the House Ethics Committee on Monday.
HJR 91 Sponsored by Representative Bringer (R), proposes a constitutional amendment reestablishing previous campaign contribution limits. Introduced and first read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.
HB 1403 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), establishes the Andrew Jackson Vote Restoration Act which requires certain elections to be held even if the number of candidates filing for a position is equal to the number of positions available. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.
HB 1952 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), allows voters to challenge another voter’s registration. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
SCS SB 577 Introduced by Senator Shields (R), modifies various provisions relating to ethics. Voted do pass out of the Senate Rules Committee, and reported to the Senate floor on Tuesday.
HJR 45 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), proposes a constitutional amendment limiting the total service in the General Assembly to 16 years in any proportion between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Wednesday.
HJR 69 Sponsored by Representative Roorda (D), proposes a constitutional amendment limiting the total service in the General Assembly to 16 years in any proportion between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Wednesday.
HJR 70 Sponsored by Representative Kingery (R), proposes a constitutional amendment limiting the total service in the General Assembly to 16 years in any proportion between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Wednesday.
HCS HB 1497 Sponsored by Representative Smith (R), requires special elections to fill vacancies in the offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and United States Senator. Voted out of the House Elections Committee, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.
HB 1838 Sponsored by Representative Zimmerman (D), prohibits elected officials of the state or any political subdivision or their staff from registering or acting as a lobbyist for one year after leaving office or employment with certain exceptions. Heard in the House Ethics Reform Committee on Thursday.
HB 1872 Sponsored by Representative Schoeller (R), establishes the Fair Influence in Government Act which prohibits the use of public funds for lobbying purposes. Heard in the House Ethics Reform Committee on Thursday.
HB 1966 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), allows voters to cast advance ballots. Second read and referred to the House Elections Committee on Thursday.
GAMBLING
HB 1893 Sponsored by Representative Kelly (D), revises the law regarding distribution of gaming funds. Introduced and first read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday, and referred to the House Veterans Committee on Thursday.
SB 839 Introduced by Senator Wright-Jones (D), modifies provisions of law regarding licensed gambling. Heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1994 Sponsored by Representative Zerr (R), removes the provision that makes an excursion gambling boat licensee guilty of a class B misdemeanor if he or she exchanges tokens, chips, or other forms of credit to be used on games for anything of value. Introduced and first read in the House on Thursday.
FAMILY
HB 1867 Sponsored by Representative LeVota (D), adds any adult person who resides in the same household and witnesses the abuse or neglect or possible abuse or neglect of a child to the list of persons required to report or make a report. Second read in the House on Monday.
SJR 42 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), modifies Missouri’s bill of rights to include a statement that all persons have a natural right to economic freedom. First read in the Senate on Monday, second read and referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.
HB 1935 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), requires health insurers to provide coverage for human papillomavirus screenings for cervical cancer. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
SB 627 Introduced by Senator Justus (D), provides information regarding immunization for the human papilloma virus. Heard in the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday.
HCR 18 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), urges the Missouri Congressional delegation to vote against H.R. 3200, the federal health care reform legislation. Heard in the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday.
HB 1962 Sponsored by Representative Stacey Newman (D), requires equal pay for the same work regardless of gender and establishes a commission to study wage disparities. Introduced and first read in the House on Wednesday.
SB 647 Introduced by Senator Bray (D), requires equal pay for the same work regardless of gender and establishes a commission to study wage disparities. Heard in the Senate Progress and Development Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1978 Sponsored by Representative Talboy (D), repeals the provision allowing certain individuals with ministerial or tocological certification to provide midwifery services in this state. Introduced and first read in the House on Wednesday, and second read on Thursday.
SCS SJR 25 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), prohibits laws interfering with freedom of choice in health care. Voted do pass out of the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee.
HOMOSEXUALITY
HB 1850 Sponsored by Representative Webber (D), changes the laws regarding complaints filed with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights and prohibits discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1874 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), changes the laws regarding actions against a person for conduct or speech at public hearings or meetings. Second read in the House on Monday.
SCR 44 Introduced by Senator Justus (D), urges Congress to replace the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Offered up in the Senate on Tuesday.
SCR 45 Introduced by Senator Stouffer (R), urges Congress to continue to support the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Offered up in the Senate on Tuesday.
SB 626 Introduced by Senator Justus (D), prohibits discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation. Heard in the Senate Progress and Development Committee on Wednesday.
IMMIGRATION
HB 1231 Sponsored by Representative Davis (R), requires Missouri driver’s examinations to be administered in English. Referred to the House Immigration Committee on Thursday.
PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES
SS SCS SB 586 Introduced by Senator Bartle (R), Regulates sexually oriented businesses. Reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, and placed on the Senate Informal Calendar on Tuesday, and perfected on the Senate floor on Thursday.
SB 806 Introduced by Senator Bartle (R), modifies provisions relating to children who are victims of pornographic offenses. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday night.
SJR 33 Introduced by Senator Bartle (R), allows in prosecutions for crimes of a sexual nature involving a victim under eighteen years of age, evidence of prior criminal acts to be admissible into evidence for certain purposes. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday night.
HB 1914 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), establishes the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act which allows hospitals and health care facilities to provide emergency contraception to sexual assault victims. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday, and second read on Wednesday.
HB 1934 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), establishes Christy’s Law requiring health providers to inform victims of rape or sexual assault of their right to request a drug test to determine if a drug was used to facilitate the rape or sexual. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.
HB 1551 Sponsored by Representative Emery (R), establishes the Community Protection Act which regulates sexually oriented businesses. Referred to the House Crime Prevention Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1631 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), creates the crime of sexual contact with a patient when an employee of or a person assigned to work in any health care or long-term care facility has sexual or deviate sexual intercourse with a patient. Referred to the Senior Citizen Advocacy Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1726 Sponsored by Representative Kenny Jones (R), requires a sexual offender to pay a fee to register and for each change to the registration and allows a sexual offender who fails to register to be charged for the costs of the search or apprehension. Referred to the House Crime Prevention Committee on Wednesday.
SECOND AMENDMENT
HB 1910 Sponsored by Representative Munzlinger (R), allows residents of Missouri to purchase rifles and shotguns in any state and allows residents of any other state to purchase rifles and shotguns in Missouri. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday. Second read in the House on Wednesday.
HB 1944 Sponsored by Representative Brown (R), lowers the minimum age requirement for obtaining a concealed carry endorsement from 23 years of age to 21 years of age. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
TAXATION
HCS HCR 34 & 35 Sponsored by Representative Icet (R), submits to Congress a proposed federal balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.
HCR 38 Sponsored by Representative Icet (R), urgently requests the United States Congress to cease and desist from imposing unfunded mandates on the states. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.
HCR 47 Sponsored by Representative Pratt (R), urges Congress to pass a federal balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. Offered up in the House on Monday.
HCR 7 Sponsored by Representative Munzlinger (R), disapproves State Tax Commission proposed state regulations regarding value of each grade of agricultural and horticultural land for 2011 2012 assessment years under Section 137.021RSMo. Second read in the Senate and referred to the Senate Rules Committee on Monday.
HB 1915 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), establishes the Missouri Earned Income Tax Credit Act which authorizes an individual income tax credit equal to 20% of any earned income tax credit claimed by the taxpayer on a federal income tax return. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday, and second read on Wednesday.
HB 1955 Sponsored by Representative Smith (R), provides for installment payment of current or delinquent real property taxes over a 6-month period. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
SCR 36 Introduced by Senator Schmitt (D), urges Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. Voted do pass out of the Senate Rules Committee, and reported out to the Senate floor on Tuesday.
HB 1800 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), provides a homestead exemption phased in over 15 years for senior citizens 65 and older. Referred to the House Tax Reform Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1952 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), allows voters to challenge another voter’s registration. Second read in the House on Wednesday.
HB 1966 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), allows voters to cast advance ballots. Introduced and first read in the House on Wednesday.
HJR 71 Sponsored by Representative Koenig (R), proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the individual and corporate income tax and sales and use tax with a fair sales tax on retail sales of new tangible property and taxable services. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.
HCS HJR 57 Sponsored by Representative Tim Jones (R), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system. Reported do pass on Thursday.
VETERANS
HB 1208 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), adds the person designated by a military member in a United States Department of Defense form to the term next-of-kin as it relates to the right of sepulcher in final disposition of the decedent’s remains. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Monday.
HB 1745 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), requires the state treasurer to hold and maintain military medals until their owner, heir or beneficiary can be found and authorizes the treasurer to designate an organization to be custodian of the media. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Monday.
HB 1853 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), requires public schools to recognize Veterans Day in their activities. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1943 Sponsored by Representative McGhee (R), revises law concerning grants from the Missouri military family relief fund. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday, and second read on Wednesday.
HB 1220 Sponsored by Representative Smith (R), establishes the Gulf War Medallion Program and creates the Gulf War Veterans’ Recognition Award Fund. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1221 Sponsored by Representative Smith (R), establishes the Global War on Terrorism Medallion Program and creates the Global War on Terrorism Veterans’ Recognition Award Fund. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1368 Sponsored by Representative Roorda (D), prohibits a school district from scheduling a day or a half day off of school within five weekdays of Veterans Day unless the district also schedules Veterans Day as a day off. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1424 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding the collection of property taxes. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1504 Sponsored by Representative Schaaf (R), expands eligibility for the Missouri Returning Heroes’ Education Act scholarship and specifies that homeschooled students must receive the same financial aid consideration as non-homeschooled students. Referred to the House Higher education Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1580 Sponsored by Representative Smith (R), changes the laws regarding the Hero at Home Program. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Wednesday.
HB 1672 Sponsored by Representative Zerr (R), removes the $15 fee charged to a person applying for a “U. S. VET” special license plate in addition to the regular registration fees. Referred to the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
HCR 48 Sponsored by Representative Kraus (R), urges Congress to designate the Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City as the National World War I Memorial. Offered up in the House on Wednesday.
HB 2049 Sponsored by Representative Smith (R), gives public employees serving in the military the option to use any combination of annual leave, compensatory time, military leave, and unpaid leave. Introduced and first read in the House on Thursday.
OTHER
HCS HB 1544 Sponsored by Representative Barney Fisher (R), extends the state’s eligibility to receive federal extended unemployment benefit money to provide unemployed individuals compensation beyond the current unemployment benefit period. Perfected in the House on Monday.
HB 1851 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), includes nuclear energy to the definition of renewable energy resources. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1875 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), provides outreach services, educational training for child care professionals, and subsidies for early childhood programs. Second read in the House on Monday.
HB 1900 Sponsored by Representative Dethrow (R), amends the Big Government Get Off My Back Act and provides an income tax deduction for certain small businesses that create new full-time jobs. Introduced and first read in the House on Monday, and second read on Tuesday.
HB 1923 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), prohibits any investor-owned electric utility that operates a coal-fired generating unit to generate electricity from purchasing or using coal extracted by mountaintop removal coal mining. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
HB 1926 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), requires persons adopting a dog or cat to pay a fee of at least $50 which is refundable upon verification that the animal has been spayed or neutered. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
HB 1933 Sponsored by Representative Low (D), establishes the Missouri Global Warming Solutions Act of 2010 to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Introduced and first read in the House on Tuesday.
HCR 46 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), urges the Environmental Protection Agency to rescind its formal endangerment finding on greenhouse gases and urges our congressional delegation to vote against H.R. 2454 known as “Cap and Trade”. Referred to the House Energy Committee on Thursday.