Missouri Family Network

Under the Dome: January 2-6, 2012

valerie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:12:38 +0000

Welcome to 2012

and the new political season!

2012

will be marked by major Primary and General Elections following

a significant political shakeup with legislative redistricting!

All State House & half of the State Senate districts, as well as

Missouri’s “8” Congressional districts are up for grabs.

2012

will also be marked by hundreds of legislative proposals

which have already been being pre-filed at the state capitol.

MFN extends our “thank you” to the many time-tested

pro-life & pro-family organizations across the state,

as well as the many tea party/patriot groups that

have sustained themselves over the last few years!

Please support those groups and organizations that

serve you and your interest with your labors and

financial support as they fight for your values!

Missouri Family Network is facing our 28^th year by recommitting ourselves

to “Defending the Traditional Family” in the broadest application of policies

that impact the culture in which we raise our children and grandchildren in.

(As far as we know, MFN has been hosting the longest non-stop

‘tea party’ under the dome of the state capitol in our state’s history!)

“Thank you” also to all who have helped us survive these

many years through your prayers and financial support!

This week the Second Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly will convene

at your state capitol in Jefferson City for the 2012 Missouri Legislative Session.

Beginning 12 noon on Wednesday, January 4^th, both the House and Senate

will spend the next five months debating the future of our state and the

freedoms which in large part frame our culture for generations to come.

As in the past twenty-seven years Missouri Family Network will be there to work

with the 163 Representatives and 34 Senators – reminding them that what they do,

or fail to do, can have a tremendous impact on the Families of this Great State.

Please be in regular prayer for us as we face issue after issue, day in and day out.

Pray that we may have grace in the eyes of lawmakers as we strive to help them

understand the pro-family perspectives related to the hundreds of bills before them.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The first day of the 2012 legislative session.

Starting early Wednesday morning, interested lawmakers along with their staff and families will

gather for a pre-session prayer and dedication service at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City.

The general public is invited to attend this 9-10am program.

At noon the House and Senate members will gather in their respective chambers to officially open

the 2012 Legislative Session. The afternoon will be a light schedule for most and in-office visits

with your respective elected lawmakers will be relatively easy to access. Those who participate

in the Consent of the Governed Rally and who plan to present Bill of Rights displays to House

and Senate members will find most lawmakers more available than average legislative days.

Consent of the Governed Rally

First Floor Rotunda

9:30-11:30 am

Come early and expect a full house!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast is scheduled early Thursday morning and serves as a great

reminder that Missouri truly is a conservative mid-west state with solid values – values worth defending!

A short legislative day at the capitol and the annual session will

begin in earnest the following Monday, January 9, 2011.

2011 Legislative Roundup

valerie — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:16:58 +0000

Please click here to view or download a PDF: 2010 Legislative Roundup

Senators Respond to Nixon’s Plan to Implement ObamaCare Despite Prop C Passage by 71%

valerie — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:33:39 +0000

Senators Respond to Nixon’s Plan to Implement ObamaCare Despite Prop C Passage by 71%

One week ago (9-15-11) the Senate Interim Committee on Health Care Exchanges convened for a scheduled meeting.

In the midst of this meeting they discovered that an executive department meeting being held simultaneously across

town from the state capitol included an agenda item to begin implementation of the infrastructure needed for Missouri

to participate in ‘ObamaCare’. (Ironically this Senate Committee was created in response to the political strategy debate

over how best to protect/defend Missouri from forced participation in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”,

otherwise known as ‘ObamaCare’ a socialist government takeover of our nation’s total health care system.)

Initially (and with some shocked disbelief that this news could possibly be true) Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder

dispatched a staff member to go to the meeting of the board of directors of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool

to assess the veracity of the unexpected revelation. Once the agenda item was initially confirmed three Senators

immediately and personally rushed across town to investigate and confront the bureaucrats intentions. Thus

Senators Jim Lembke, Jane Cunningham and Rob Schaaf interrupted the meeting of the board, were escorted

to a private office, forced to deal with several efforts by Director John Huff to deflect their direct questions,

and were ultimately successful at thwarting the board’s vote. (Reminding these bureaucrats that they are only

the State’s employees and that the voters are the boss, represented by ALL our elected officials.)

Since last week there has been significant misunderstandings about the events of that day, as well as the details

related to Governor Nixon’s involvement. These confusions have led many folks to state incorrect facts and

ask questions which miss the facts. As a result the developing political environment has made it too easy for

denials and finger pointing. Below are two documents which will hopefully help clarify details and give some

clearer understanding of events past and coordinated efforts moving forward. First is Senator Jim Lembke’s

resolution calling on unelected bureaucrats to cease efforts to bypass the Legislature and ignore/thwart the

clearly expressed will of the voters. Second is Senator Jane Cunningham’s press release renewing her call

for a State Constitutional Amendment raising the bar of protection previously adopted with passage of

Proposition C (2010) with over 71% of Missouri voters saying “YES”.

Senator Lembke’s resolution (SR**) will be introduced, after interested Senators have a chance to add

their names, during the special called First Extraordinary Session of the 2011 Missouri General Assembly.

Senator Cunningham’s resolution (SJR **) will be pre-filed in December and introduced the first week

of January 2012 and, as with Lembke’s resolution, will contain all interested Senators names also.

Senator Jim Lembke’s Senate Resolution:

WHEREAS, Governor Nixon designated John Huff, the Director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions

and Professional Registration and a member of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool, to serve as the project director of Missouri’s

Health Insurance Exchange Establishment Grant to provide executive leadership to the development of the exchange

infrastructure and to oversee grant administration; and

WHEREAS, Governor Nixon, upon the advice of Director Huff and the Health Insurance Exchange Coordinating Committee,

designated the Missouri Health Insurance Pool to receive an Establishment Grant from the federal government on behalf of the

State of Missouri to plan and implement a health insurance exchange under the direction of Director Huff; and

WHEREAS, on August 12, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the award of approximately $21

million in the form of a Level One Exchange Establishment Grant to the Missouri Health Insurance Pool to help establish a state

health insurance exchange; and

WHEREAS, on September 15, 2011, the board of directors of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool considered adopting a

resolution establishing the “MHIP/Show-Me HIX” as a distinct organizational unit within the Missouri Health Insurance Pool

and undertaking responsibility for implementing the tasks described in the Missouri Establishment Grant; and

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool also considered accepting a $21 million federal

grant to help build the technological infrastructure for a health insurance exchange; and

WHEREAS, after consulting with some key senators from the Senate Interim Committee on Health Insurance Exchanges, the

board of directors of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool postponed action on the resolution to establish an exchange and accept

the federal grant; and

WHEREAS, counsel retained by the Missouri Health Insurance Pool has stated that the Missouri Health Insurance Pool has the

statutory authority to accept the federal monies and take the preliminary steps to establish a health insurance exchange; and

WHEREAS, several members of the Senate Interim Committee on Health Insurance Exchanges have asked the director of the

Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration to state the legal authority that allows

the Missouri Health Insurance Pool to accept Exchange Establishment Grants and to undertake precursory steps to establish a

state-based health insurance exchange; and

WHEREAS, as to date, the legal basis for the Missouri Health Insurance Pool to engage in the preliminary steps of establishing

a health insurance exchange has not been provided to the members of the Senate Interim Committee on Health Insurance

Exchanges; and

WHEREAS, the statutes establishing the Missouri Health Insurance Pool do not authorize its board to accept federal grants or

undertake activities relating to the establishment of a health insurance exchange; and

WHEREAS, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires states to establish their own health insurance exchanges

or otherwise cede this authority to the federal government; and

WHEREAS, the decision to establish a state-based health insurance exchange or to allow the federal government to operate

an exchange within Missouri is a policy decision left to the General Assembly and not the Missouri Health Insurance Pool or

any other member of the executive branch; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri General Assembly would need to pass legislation before any state-controlled exchange were to be

implemented in Missouri, giving the citizens of Missouri a right to be heard on this matter through their constitutionally elected

representatives; and

WHEREAS, Article II of the Missouri Constitution mandates that the powers of government shall be divided into three distinct

departments with each department exercising its own powers; and

WHEREAS, it is the power of Governor, as the head of the executive department, to faithfully execute the laws and not to

make laws or choose to ignore the laws that do not suit his political agenda; and

WHEREAS, accepting federal monies to preliminarily establish a state-based health insurance exchange invades the province of

the General Assembly in that the decision to establish or not establish a health insurance exchange is a policy decision – a power

entrusted to the General Assembly by the Missouri Constitution, and

WHEREAS, the legislative authority of Missouri is vested in the General Assembly and in the absence of a statute or constitutional

provision that authorizes the Governor to establish a state-based health insurance exchange, the Governor cannot create obligations,

responsibilities, conditions or processes having the force and effect of law by the issuance of an executive order or other actions; and

WHEREAS, the potential decision of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool to establish a health insurance exchange within the

Missouri Health Insurance Pool is without legal foundation and usurps the power of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the potential decision of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool to establish a health insurance exchange within the

Missouri Health Insurance Pool runs afoul of the wishes of the Missouri voters in that one of the core functions of a federally-

approved exchange is to establish a process to determine whether an individual is exempt from the individual mandate penalty:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Missouri Senate, Ninety-sixth General Assembly, First

Extraordinary Session, hereby urge the Governor of Missouri, the director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial

Institutions and Professional Registration, and the board of directors of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool to return all

Exchange Establishment Grant monies to Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius; refrain from applying for

any other federal grants relating to the establishment of a health insurance exchange as envisioned under the Patient Protection

and Affordable Care Act; and refrain from adopting any policies relating to the establishment of a health insurance exchange

which by their very nature blatantly disregard the time-honored separation of powers between the legislative and executive

branches; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Missouri Senate be instructed to send a copy of this resolution to the

Governor of Missouri, the director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration,

and each member of the board of directors of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool.

- end -


State Senator Jane Cunningham District 7 For Immediate Release: Sept. 16, 2011		Capitol Building, Room 321 Jefferson City, MO 65101 Contact: Kit Crancer (573) 751-1186
Senator Cunningham: Health Care Freedom and the Will of the People Must be Protected Through Constitutional Amendment JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, a member of the Senate Interim Committee on Health Insurance Exchanges, learned yesterday that the governor’s administration was continuing efforts to secure federal grant funding to implement a health care exchange, without the approval of the legislature. Senator Cunningham and her colleagues on the panel were surprised to learn that Missouri’s Health Insurance Pool Board planned to cast votes to accept more than 21 million dollars in federal funds to establish a Health Insurance Exchange. The exchange would have the purpose of implementing the President’s health reform package as approved by congress. Senator Cunningham and other opponents of federal health care mandates demanded that the board refrain from casting any votes on the health insurance exchange. Had senators not intervened yesterday, the action that would have been taken by the Missouri Health Insurance Pool Board stated, “Whereas Governor Nixon, upon the advice of John Huff and the HIECC (Health Insurance Exchange Coordinating Committee named by the Governor with no statutory authority), designated the MHIP to receive the Establishment Grant ($21 million from the federal government ) on behalf of the State of Missouri to plan and implement an HIX (Health Insurance Exchange) under the direction of John Huff….Be it resolved that MHIP hereby establishes the Missouri Health Insurance Pool/Show-Me Health Insurance Exchange as a distinct organizational unit within MHIP…..and authorizes John Huff, as Project Director to provide executive leadership for this distinct organization unit and Dwight Fine to serve as Project Manager….to manage the day-to-day activities necessary to implement the Establishment grant including supervising and recruiting staff.” “This action to implement a federal health care exchange flies in the face of the 71 percent of voters who overwhelmingly said ‘yes’ to Proposition C, an initiative designed to prevent the federal government from requiring citizens to purchase health insurance, and for punishing those who don’t purchase a prescribed product,” Sen. Cunningham said. “Furthermore, I’m disappointed to learn that the Governor and his administration were looking to implement the health care exchange without legislative knowledge or approval. Because of this I plan on putting in legislation this upcoming session which would place the language of Proposition C or the Health Care Freedom Act into the Missouri State Constitution.” -END-

Under the Dome: April 29, 2011

valerie — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:23:45 +0000

Last week in review: April 25-28

ABORTION

SS SCS HCS HB 116 Has been rewritten and is now the tax credit reform bill (350+ pages). As amended on the Senate floor, the bill now includes an extension on the PRC tax credit program (till 2015) and leaves the credit at its current 50% level. Perfected on the Senate floor and sent to Ways and Means Fiscal Review.

HB 197 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to post on its web site resources relating to umbilical cord blood. Third read and passed through the Senate and reported to the House on Thursday.

HR 1826 Sponsored by Representative Long (R), supports the work of Missouri’s pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes in providing outstanding service to women and families. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SS SCS SB 65 Sponsored by Senator Mayer (R), modifies provisions relating to abortion with respect to viability. Reported do pass out of the House Health Care Policy Committee and referred to Rules Committee on Wednesday.

ANIMAL RIGHTS & FAMILY FARMS

HCS HB 597 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), establishes the Private Landowner Protection Act which allows for the creation and enforcement of conservation easements to protect the environment and preserve certain historical or cultural property. Perfected in the House on Wednesday, third read and passed through the House on Thursday.

SB 113 Introduced by Senator Parson (R), modifies the Animal Care Facilities Act and the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Signed by the Governor on Wednesday.

SB 161 Introduced by Senator Munzlinger (R), modifies provisions relating to agriculture, including changes to SB 113. Amended in the House, voted through the House, reported to the Senate, passed through the Senate and delivered to the Governor. Signed by the Governor right after Six o’clock on Wednesday.

CRIME

HCS HB 297 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), revises the crime of abuse of a child to include knowingly inflicting cruel or excessive punishment upon a child younger than 17 years of age or knowingly causing physical injury by any means. Voted do pass out of the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 504, 505 & 874 Sponsored by Representative Silvey (R), changes the laws regarding domestic violence and orders of protection. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 600, 337 & 413 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), changes the laws regarding public safety. Reported to the Senate and first read on Tuesday.

SS#2 SCS SB 320 Sponsored by Senator Lamping (R), modifies provisions relating to domestic violence. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

SCS HCS HB 73 & 47 Sponsored by Representative Brandom (R), requires certain applicants for and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program benefits to be tested for the illegal use of controlled substances. Perfected in the Senate and referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Tuesday, third read and passed through the Senate on Thursday.

HB 199 Sponsored by Representative Kelley (R), specifies that a prior or persistent offender of an intoxication-related offense must perform a specified minimum number of hours of community service as an alternative to imprisonment. Voted do pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Thursday.

SCS HCS HB 641 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding controlled substances. Voted do pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, reported do pass out of committee on Wednesday.

HB 658 Sponsored by Representative Schatz (R), reclassifies all methamphetamine precursor drugs from Schedule IV and V controlled substances to Schedule III requiring a prescription and references the provisions as the Meth Lab Elimination Act. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

SS SCS SB 254 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), modifies Missouri’s drunk driving law to comply with federal law for purposes of transportation funding. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

EDUCATION

HCS HB 473 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), changes the laws regarding charter schools and establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Reported to the Senate and first read on Wednesday.

SCS SB 54 Sponsored by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

ELECTIONS

CCS SS HCS HB 193 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), establishes the basic format for dividing Missouri into eight Congressional districts based on the 2010 census estimates. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Wednesday.

HB 217 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), allows an election authority to use an electronic voter identification system or electronic signature pad to verify voter identification information at a polling place. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Wednesday.

SCS HB 503 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), repeals a provision requiring a presidential primary to be held in February in any year a presidential election is held and sets the primary to be held in March of each presidential election year. Voted do pass out of the Senate Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 6 Sponsored by Representative Cierpiot (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot. Reported do pass out of the Senate Oversight Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HJR 16 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), proposes a constitutional amendment changing the number of voter signatures that are required to place an initiative petition or a referendum on a ballot. Perfected in the House on Tuesday, Third read and passed on Thursday.

HCS#2 SB 3 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), establishes photo identification requirements for voting. Referred to the House Fiscal Review on Tuesday.

HCS SS SB 202 Sponsored by Senator Crowell (R), requires authorization for certain labor unions to withhold fees from paychecks or make political contributions. Reported do pass out of the House Workforce Development Committee and referred to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

HCS SCS SB 270 Sponsored by Senator Kraus (R), modifies the dates available for public elections. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HCS#2 SJR 2 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), allows enabling legislation for photographic identification for voting. Reported do pass out of the House fiscal Review Committee on Thursday.

SJR 12 Sponsored by Senator Green (D), limits the total service in the General Assembly to sixteen years in any proportion between the Senate and the House of Representatives. Reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

FAMILY

HB 565 Sponsored by Representative Denison (R), specifies that any person who makes a report of suspected child abuse to the proper authorities will be immune from civil and criminal liability. Voted do pass out of the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

GOVERNMENT ETHICS & SOCIALISM

HB 139 Sponsored by Representative Smith (R), requires the Office of Administration to maintain public school and county and municipal government accountability information and the Governor’s travel information on the Missouri Accountability Portal. Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 349 Sponsored by Representative Newman (D), changes the laws regarding equal employment practices. Voted do pass out of the House Workforce Development Committee on Tuesday.

HB 423 Sponsored by Representative Burlison (R), authorizes Missouri to adopt the provisions of the Health Care Compact to improve health care policy by returning the authority to regulate health care to the state legislatures. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Wednesday.

SCS HCS#2 HB 609 Sponsored by Representative Molendorp (R), establishes the Show-Me Health Insurance Exchange Act. Reported do pass out of the Senate Small Business Committee on Wednesday.

HB 1009 Sponsored by Representative Marshall (R), prohibits any department or political subdivision of the state from contracting any liability of the state in excess of $1 million in any one-year period without the consent of the General Assembly. Heard in the House Transportation Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 68 Sponsored by Senator Mayer (R), authorizes the issuance of subpoenas for the production of records by the General Assembly. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Thursday.

HOMOSEXUALITY

HCR 45 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to uphold and defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Voted do pass. Voted do pass out of the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES

SCS HCS HB 214 Sponsored by Representative Zerr (R), changes the laws regarding human trafficking. Reported do pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, passes through the Senate, and reported back to the House on Thursday.

HCS HB 999 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), changes the laws regarding sexual offender registration. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SCS SB 54 Sponsored by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SS SB 286 Sponsored by Senator McKenna (D), creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SBs 394 & 331 Sponsored by Senator Goodman (R), modifies the human trafficking provisions. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

SCS HCS HB 250 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding water well regulations. Voted do pass out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 470 & 429 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), changes the laws regarding the nonresident entertainer and professional athletic team income tax by exempting churches from taxation under this policy. Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 2 Sponsored by Representative McGhee (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen’s right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen’s right to choose any or no religion. Referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Tuesday, reported do pass on Thursday.

SECOND AMENDMENT

HB 361 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), establishes the Missouri Firearms Freedom Act. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday, reported do pass on Wednesday.

HCR 41 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), encourages every school district in Missouri to promote and include trap shooting as a high school sport. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HJR 27 Sponsored by Representative Brattin (R), proposes a constitutional amendment specifying that the right of every citizen to possess, purchase ammunition, and any parts or articles for the proper functioning of arms must not be infringed. Perfected in the House on Tuesday, referred to Fiscal Review on Wednesday and third read and passed through the House on Thursday.

SCS HCS HB 294, 123, 125, 113, 271 & 215 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), changes the laws regarding firearms, ammunition, and concealed carry endorsements. Reported do pass in the Senate General Laws Committee on Wednesday.

SCS SB 300 Sponsored by Senator Munzlinger (R), allows the use of handguns during the muzzleloader portion of firearms deer season. Voted do pass out of the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

TAXES

SS SCS HCS HB 45 Sponsored by Representative Hoskins (R), changes the laws regarding the Big Government Get Off My Back Act and provides an income tax deduction for certain small businesses that create new full-time jobs. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Wednesday.

VETERANS

HCS HB 136 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), allows a spouse of an active member of the United States Armed Forces to be eligible for unemployment benefits if accompanying the spouse in the event of a military transfer. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Wednesday.

SCS HB 149 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), extends the expiration date of the provisions regarding the Missouri Military Family Relief Fund to December 31, 2017, and the termination date of the provisions to September 1, 2018. Reported to the House with SCS on Wednesday.

HB 204 Sponsored by Representative Hoskins (R), allows a resident who is on active military duty to renew his or her expired driver’s license without a complete examination if the renewal is made within a specified time from discharge or residency. Truly agreed to and finally passed on Thursday.

SCS SB 26 & 106 Sponsored by Senator Wasson (R), allows for the issuance of Nixa Education Foundation and Combat Action special license plates. Referred to the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

Under the Dome: April 22, 2011

valerie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:18:18 +0000

Week in Review: April 18-21

ABORTION

HCS HB 213 Sponsored by Representative Tim Jones (R), specifies that no abortion of a viable unborn child can be performed or induced except when the life or serious physical health is at risk. (Such risk must be confirmed by a second unaffiliated physician.) Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HR 1826 Sponsored by Representative Long (R), supports the work of Missouri’s pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes in providing outstanding service to women and families. Heard in the House Health Care Policy Committee on Wednesday.

SS SCS SB 65 Sponsored by Senator Mayer, modifies provisions restricting late term abortions of viable unborn children. (Similar to HB 213 above.) Heard in the House Health Care Policy Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 197 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to post on its web site resources relating to umbilical cord blood. Voted do pass out of the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday.

ANIMAL RIGHTS & FAMILY FARMS

HCS HB 597 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), establishes the Private Landowner Protection Act which allows for the creation and enforcement of conservation easements to protect the environment and preserve certain historical or cultural property. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HJR 3 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), proposes a constitutional amendment affirming the right of citizens to raise livestock in a humane manner without the state imposing an undue economic burden on their owners. Heard in the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HJR 5 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing citizens the right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions as provided by law. Third read and passed through the House, reported to the Senate and first read on Tuesday, referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday.

HJR 15 Sponsored by Representative Ruzicka (R), proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority for voter approval of any initiative petition relating to harvesting bird, fish, game, wildlife, or forestry resources. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SS SCS SBs 113 & 95 Sponsored by Senator Parson (R), modifies the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Signed by the Speaker of the House and sent to the Governor on Monday.

CRIME

HCS HB 504, 505 & 874 Sponsored by Representative Silvey (R), changes the laws regarding domestic violence and orders of protection. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday. Voted do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Friday.

HCS HB 600 337 & 413 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), changes the laws regarding public safety. Perfected in the House and referred to the House Fiscal Review Committee on Wednesday.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

SCS HCS HB 73 & 47 Sponsored by Representative Brandom (R), requires certain applicants for and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program benefits to be tested for the illegal use of controlled substances. Referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Monday, reported do pass on Thursday.

SCS HB 101 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), allows any winery, distiller, manufacturer, wholesaler, or brewer or designated employee to provide beverage samples on certain licensed retail premises for tasting purposes. Voted do pass out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday.

HCS HB 641 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding controlled substances. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

HB 658 Sponsored by Representative Schatz (R), reclassifies all methamphetamine precursor drugs from Schedule IV and V controlled substances to Schedule III requiring a prescription and references the provisions as the Meth Lab Elimination Act. Voted do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Friday.

HB 913 Sponsored by Representative Carter (R), changes the laws regarding the crimes of trafficking drugs in the first and second degree. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

HB 1023 Sponsored by Representative Kelly (D), increases, upon voter approval, the excise tax on cigarettes from 17 cents to 98 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes. Heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

SS SCS SB 254 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), modifies Missouri’s drunk driving law to comply with federal law for purposes of transportation funding. Second read in the House on Monday.

EDUCATION

HCS HB 473 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), changes the laws regarding charter schools and establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Perfected in the House on Tuesday, referred to House Fiscal Review on Wednesday and Voted do pass in committee on Thursday.

HB 752 Sponsored by Representative Torpey (R), changes the laws regarding the compulsory school attendance of certain students. Heard in the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

HB 795 Sponsored by Representative Kelley (R), designates the second Friday in March as “Missouri School Read-In Day”. Reported do pass out of the Senate on Monday, truly agreed to and finally passed through the legislature on Tuesday.

SCS SB 14 Sponsored by Senator Pearce (R), establishes procedures for the transfer of students from an unaccredited school district to an accredited school district in the same or an adjoining county. Voted do pass out of the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, reported out of the Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 54 Sponsored by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Heard in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, voted do pass on Thursday.

ELECTIONS

HB 108 Sponsored by Representative Jason Smith (R), modifies the law relating to campaign finance. Third read and passed through the Senate on Tuesday.

SS HCS HB 193 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (D) , establishes the basic format for dividing Missouri into eight Congressional districts based on the 2010 census estimates. House and Senate appoint Conference Committee on Wednesday.

HB 640 Sponsored by Representative Neth (R), creates the class four election offense of electioneering which involves the refusal, upon the request of any person, to remove certain political materials inside or with 250 feet of a polling place. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 466 Sponsored by Representative Schoeller (R), allows an employer or labor organization to obtain political contributions through a payroll deduction if the employee or member consents to the contribution in writing annually. Perfected in the House on Wednesday.

HJR 6 Sponsored by Representative Cierpiot (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HJR 16 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), proposes a constitutional amendment changing the number of voter signatures that are required to place an initiative petition or a referendum on a ballot. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HCS SCS SB 68 Sponsored by Senator Mayer (R), authorizes the issuance of subpoenas for the production of records by the General Assembly. Third read in the House on Friday.

SB 84 Sponsored by Senator Wright-Jones (D), modifies law relating to voter registration and election offenses. Reported out of the Senate Elections Committee on Thursday.

SS SB 202 Sponsored by Senator Crowell (R), requires authorization for certain labor unions to withhold fees from paychecks or make political contributions. Referred to the House Workforce Development Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SB 270 Sponsored by Senator Kraus (R), modifies the dates available for public elections. Perfected in the Senate on Tuesday, reported to the House and first read on Thursday and second read in the House on Friday.

HCS SB 282 Sponsored by Senator Engler (R), moves the presidential primary from February to March. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SJR 10 Sponsored by Senator Lembke (R), lowers the number of State Representatives from 163 to 103. Reported to the House and first read on Thursday. Second read in the House on Friday.

SJR 12 Sponsored by Senator Green (D), increases term limits for members of the General Assembly from 8 years to 12 years in each house. Perfected in the House on Tuesday, referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.

FAMILY

HB 587 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), changes the laws regarding the notice of the relocation of a child by the custodial parent. Heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 604 Sponsored by Representative Long (R), specifies that the disability of a parent cannot be a basis for a determination that a child is in need of care or should be removed or the parental rights terminated without certain court findings. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

SB 261 Sponsored by Senator Goodman (R), removes the element of good cause from the crime of nonsupport. Voted do pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

SCS SB 312 Sponsored by Senator Keaveny (D), modifies provision relating to administrative child support orders. Voted do pass out of the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday.

SS#2 SCS SB 320 Sponsored by Senator Lamping (R), modifies provisions relating to domestic violence. First read in the House on Thursday, second read in the House on Friday.

GOVERNMENT ETHICS & SOCIALISM

SCS HB 307 & HB 812 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), allows for a special “Don’t Tread on Me” license plate to be for any vehicle except an apportioned motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle in excess of 18,000 pounds gross weight. Third read and passed through the Senate, and reported to the House on Tuesday.

HB 708 Sponsored by Representative Curtman (R), changes the laws regarding violations of the public policy of Missouri when decisions are based on foreign law or legal code. Perfected in the House on Tuesday, reported to the Senate and first read on Wednesday and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HCR 42 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), urges the United States Congress to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions or to take action on climate change. Adopted in the House, and reported to the Senate on Tuesday, referred to the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HJR 34 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting anyone elected to the General Assembly after November 1, 2008, from serving more than 12 years in any one house nor more than 24 years total in both houses. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

SJR 22 Sponsored by Senator Parson (R), provides that a member of the General Assembly shall vacate his or her office if such member leaves the state during a legislative session for the purpose of avoiding any official duty or vote. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

IMMIGRATION

HB 167 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), requires Missouri driver’s license examinations to only be administered in English. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 731 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), adds citizenship information to the sexual offender registration form and requires the State Highway Patrol to report to the federal government any non-U.S. citizen on the sexual offender registry. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES

HCS HB 781 Sponsored by Representative Torpey (R), increases the penalty for child molestation in the first degree when the victim is a child younger than 13 years of age to a class A felony. Voted do pass out of the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 999 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), changes the laws regarding sexual offender registration. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 54 Sponsored by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Heard in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, voted do pass on Thursday.

HCS SB 250 Sponsored by Senator Kehoe, requires sexual assault offenders to complete certain programs prior to being eligible for parole or conditional release. Reported do pass out of the House Crime Committee and referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday,

SS SB 286 Sponsored by Senator McKenna (D), creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. Second read in the House on Monday.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

HB 29 Sponsored by Representative Sater (R), establishes the Volunteer Health Services Act to allow for licensed health care professionals to provide volunteer services for a sponsoring organization. Heard in the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday.

SCS HCS HB 250 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding water well regulations. Voted do pass out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday.

HJR 2 Sponsored by Representative McGhee (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen’s right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen’s right to choose any or no religion. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday. Reported do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.

SECOND AMENDMENT

HCR 41 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), encourages every school district in Missouri to promote and include trap shooting as a high school sport. Voted do pass out of the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday and referred to the House Rules Committee on Friday.

HJR 27 Sponsored by Representative Brattin (R), proposes a constitutional amendment specifying that the right of every citizen to possess, purchase ammunition, and any parts or articles for the proper functioning of arms must not be infringed. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SCS HCS HB 294, 123, 125, 113, 271 & 215 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), changes the laws regarding firearms, ammunition, and concealed carry endorsements. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 298 Sponsored by Senator Munzlinger (R), lowers the minimum age for an applicant of a concealed carry endorsement from twenty-three to twenty-one. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SB 300 Sponsored by Senator Munzlinger (R), allows the use of handguns during the muzzleloader portion of firearms deer season. Second read in the House on Monday and referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

TAXES

SCS HCS HB 116 & 316 Sponsored by Representative Flanigan (R), changes the laws regarding the collection of money owed to the state and authorizes an amnesty from the assessment or payment of the penalties, taxes, and interest on certain unpaid tax delinquencies. Reported do pass out of the Senate Oversight Committee on Thursday.

SB 19 Sponsored by Senator Schmitt (R), phases-out the corporate franchise tax over a five year period. Signed by the Speaker of the House and delivered to the Governor for his signature on Monday.

VETERANS

HCR 11 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (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. Voted do pass out of the Senate Resolutions Committee on Tuesday.

SB 26 Sponsored by Senator Wasson (R), allows for the issuance of Nixa Education Foundation and Combat Action special license plates. Second read in the House on Monday.

Show Me Your Glory Lord

Forty+ Days of Prayer & Fasting

May 6th is the State Constitutional deadline for passage

of the annual State budget, with May 5th being the

National Day of Prayer

ACTION NEEDED:

PRAYER FOR MISSOURI’S BUDGET CRISIS

Missouri’s state budget reflects the State and Nation’s financial woes.

The budget process has ALWAYS (except last year with Missouri churches in prayer) involved partisan

bickering, public battles between the Governor’s Office and the General Assembly, strife between the

House and Senate, and countless skirmishes among the 197 individual members of the Legislature.

Key elected officials ask for specific prayer from Missouri’s Churches and Christian community.

In partnership with National Day of Prayer leaders as well as several others, our prayer

team has laid the ground work for a special prayer initiative aimed at involving God’s

people in praying for our State. This includes three important points to avoid highlighting

lawmakers by their names or titles. (1) To guarantee no elected official is empowered

to grandstand prayer for political purposes. (2) To guarantee no elected official can be

accused of grandstanding for political purposes. (3) To guarantee no elected official

having the right motives can be tempted to grandstand or accuse another of the same.

Show Me Your Glory Lord

Forty+ Days of Prayer & Fasting

Show Me Your Glory Lord began with a special prayer program Monday, March 14, at the State Capitol.

Missouri Churches are asked to participate in these 40+ days of prayer and fasting

which will culminate on Friday, May 6th, the final deadline for the State budget.

Under the Dome: April 15, 2011

valerie — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:06:53 +0000

Week in Review: April 11-14

ABORTION

SCS HCS HB 116 & 316 Sponsored by Representative Flanigan (R), contains various tax, and tax credit issues, and was amended to include the PRC tax credit renewal. Voted Do pass by the
Senate Ways & Means Committee on Thursday.

SS SCS SB 65 Sponsored by Senator Mayer (R), modifies provisions relating to abortion with respect to viability. Second read in the House on Monday, referred to the House Health Care Policy Committee on Tuesday.

HCS SCS SB 17 Sponsored by Senator Lembke (R), requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to make available resources relating to umbilical cord blood. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

ANIMAL RIGHTS & FAMILY FARMS

SS SCS HB 209 Sponsored by Representative Guernsey (R), revises the laws regarding private nuisances when it originates from property used for farming, agriculture, crop, or animal production purposes and when a court must visit an alleged affected property. Truly agreed to and finally passed through the legislature on Thursday.

HB 909 Sponsored by Representative Higdon (R), changes the laws regarding a landowner’s liability relating to an individual trespassing on the owner’s land. Heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HJR 3 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), proposes a constitutional amendment affirming the right of citizens to raise livestock in a humane manner without the state imposing an undue economic burden on their owners. Reported to the Senate and first read on Monday, second read and referred to the Senate Agricultural Committee on Thursday.

HCS HJR 5 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing citizens the right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions as provided by law. Perfected in the House on Tuesday, referred to the Fiscal Review on Wednesday and reported out of the Committee on Thursday.

SS SCS SBs 113 & 95 Sponsored by Senator Parson (R), enhances the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Truly agreed to and finally passed through the legislature on Wednesday.

CRIME

HB 164 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the age when the juvenile court will have jurisdiction over a child involving a state or local traffic violation from a child up to 15 1/2 years of age to a child up to 15 years of age. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HB 178 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), authorizes the expungement of certain criminal records. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HB 288 Sponsored by Representative Lair (R), allows the sheriff of any county to employ an attorney to aid and advise him or her in the discharge of the sheriff’s duties and to represent him or her in court. Referred to the House Local Government on Tuesday.

HB 308 Sponsored by Representative Black (D), prohibits an offender in the custody of the Department of Corrections from making a false report against any department employee for the purpose of implicating an employee in a crime. Referred to the House Corrections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 365 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), changes the laws regarding unlawful picketing or protesting of a funeral. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 456 Sponsored by Representative Hodges (D), adds a law enforcement officer of a fourth class city to the list of officers who are authorized to arrest and hold in custody any person of whom the officer is in fresh pursuit. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 504 Sponsored by Representative Silvey (R), changes the laws regarding domestic violence and orders of protection. Voted do pass out of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HB 512 Sponsored by Representative Lair (R), creates the crime of unlawfully intercepting computer and electronic communication device information. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HB 517 Sponsored by Representative Ellinger (D), changes the laws regarding clemency in death penalty cases. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HB 941 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), increases the penalty for certain identity theft crimes. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HB 960 Sponsored by Representative Ruzicka (R), specifies that the statute of limitations will be two years for a class A misdemeanor and one year for a class B or class C misdemeanor instead of one year for any misdemeanor. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SB 260 Sponsored by Senator Wasson (R), increases penalties for moving violations and traffic offenses occurring within an active emergency zone. Reported out of the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday.

SS#2 SCS SB 320 Sponsored by Senator Lamping (R), modifies provisions relating to domestic violence. Perfected in the Senate on Wednesday.

HCS HB 600, 337 & 413 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), changes the laws regarding public safety. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

SB 352 Sponsored by Senator Engler (R), creates a mental health assessment pilot program for criminal offenders. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

HCS HB 73 & 47 Sponsored by Representative Brandom (R), requires certain applicants for and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program benefits to be tested for the illegal use of controlled substances. Heard in the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday, voted do pass on Thursday.

HB 101 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), allows any winery, distiller, manufacturer, wholesaler, or brewer or designated employee to provide beverage samples on certain licensed retail premises for tasting purposes. Heard in the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

HB 181 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), increases the excise tax on cigarettes from 17 cents to 33 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes to be deposited, less a 3% collection fee, into the General Revenue Fund. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HB 342 Sponsored by Representative Still (D), increases the excise tax on cigarettes from 17 cents to $1.17 per pack of 20 cigarettes upon voter approval. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HB 343 Sponsored by Representative Still (D), increases the excise tax on cigarettes of 17 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes by 12.5 cents per pack per year for eight years until the excise tax on cigarettes reaches $1.17 per pack. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HB 620 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), changes the laws regarding controlled substances as they relate to industrial hemp. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 641 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding controlled substances. Second read and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HB 658 Sponsored by Representative Schatz (R), reclassifies all methamphetamine precursor drugs from the list of Schedule IV and V controlled substances to Schedule III requiring a prescription for them to be known as the Meth Lab Elimination Act. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HB 833 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), specifies that a statement offering a coupon, sales price, rebate, or discount for an alcoholic beverage will be legal in advertising as long as the final retail price is not below the wholesale cost. Referred to the House Small Business Committee on Tuesday.

HB 859 Sponsored by Representative Ellinger (D), increases the excise tax on cigarettes of 17 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes by 12.5 cents per pack per year for eight years until the excise tax on cigarettes reaches $1.17 per pack. Referred to the House Way and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HB 1023 Sponsored by Representative Kelly (D), increases the excise tax on cigarettes from 17 cents to 98 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes upon voter approval. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HB 1024 Sponsored by Representative Korman (R), allows the drug court commissioner in the twelfth judicial circuit to hear associate circuit court civil and criminal cases if he or she does not have a full caseload of drug and DWI cases. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

SS SCS SB 254 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), modifies Missouri’s drunk driving law to comply with federal law for purposes of transportation funding. Reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

EDUCATION

HB 195 Sponsored by Representative Koenig, requires the State Board of Education and other public school entities to encourage students to explore scientific questions and to allow the teaching of scientific theories of biological or chemical evolution. Referred to the House

Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 612 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), establishes smaller class sizes for the Kansas City School District than the established minimum and desirable standards of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 614 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), prohibits a higher education institution from charging a Missouri resident who is a full-time student a tuition rate that exceeds the amount charged when the student first enrolled for the next five years. Referred to the House Higher Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 621 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), requires a student wanting to drop out of high school to attend a dropout prevention seminar. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

SCS HB 738 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), requires each school district to ensure that every student develops a personal plan of study prior to the end of the student’s eighth grade year. Voted do pass out of the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

HB 849 Sponsored by Representative Cookson (R), changes the laws regarding the required number of days and hours in a school calendar and the earliest opening and latest closing day of a school year. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 855 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), creates the Parents as Teachers Advancement Fund. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 897 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), changes the laws regarding high-risk or alternative charter schools. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 939 Sponsored by Representative Dieckhaus (R), creates procedures for open enrollment of public school students across school district boundary lines. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 994 Sponsored by Representative McNary (R), modifies provisions relating to school accreditation and transfer opportunities. Referred to the House Education Committee on Monday.

HB 1004 Sponsored by Representative Lampe (D), repeals several obsolete education sections. Referred to the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Tuesday.

HB 1005 Sponsored by Representative Lampe (D), harmonizes and eliminates several obsolete education sections. Referred to the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Tuesday.

HB 1017 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), modifies provisions relating to transitional school district governance. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HCR 41 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), encourages every school district in Missouri to promote and include trap shooting as a high school sport. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 38 Sponsored by Representative Barnes (R), proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the General Assembly to provide financial assistance to students to pay for elementary and secondary education at any accredited school they select. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

SB 13 Sponsored by Senator Pearce (R), requires the Joint Committee on Education to oversee a task force on teacher compensation and effectiveness. Heard in the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 147 Sponsored by Senator Schaefer (R), requires school districts to include certain information in their school accountability report cards. Second read in the House on Monday.

SCS SB 253 Sponsored by Senator Callahan (R), modifies provisions relating to summer school attendance. Reported out of the Senate Education Committee on Thursday.

SB 329 Sponsored by Senator Nieves (R), allows students to enroll in another school district or charter school for purposes of attending virtual courses or programs. Reported from the Senate General Laws Committee to the floor on Thursday.

SB 391 Sponsored by Senator Lager (R), requires the school board of each school district and charter school to establish an evaluation system for teachers and teaching. Reported from the Senate Education Committee to the Senate floor on Thursday.

ELECTIONS

HB 107 Sponsored by Representative Jason Smith (R), requires special elections to fill certain vacancies in the positions of United States Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and State Treasurer. Voted do pass out of the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

HB 171 Sponsored by Representative Ruzicka (R), allows certain third class cities to cancel any primary election for the office of mayor and councilman. Heard in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

SS HCS HB 193 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), establishes the basic format for dividing Missouri into eight Congressional districts based on the 2010 census estimates. Reported do pass out of the Senate Redistricting Committee on Monday, Third read and passed in the Senate on Wednesday. Reported to the House on Thursday, House requests Conference.

HB 237 Sponsored by Representative Zimmerman (D), changes the laws regarding ethics, lobbying, and campaign contributions. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 289 Sponsored by Representative Lair (R), specifies that no person will be eligible to run or to be selected to fill a vacancy for the office of county sheriff unless he or she holds a valid peace officer license. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 351 Sponsored by Representative McNeil (D), allows an election authority to randomly select individuals from a cross-section of voter registrations to serve as election judges if there is a shortage of election judges in the authority’s jurisdiction. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 379 Sponsored by Representative Zimmerman (D), changes the laws regarding the use of paper ballot cards at elections. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 681 Sponsored by Representative Walton Gray (D), specifies that the provisions requiring a partisan election and conducting a party primary prior to a general election will not apply to a candidate for school board or fire district office. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 694 Sponsored by Representative Barnes (R), repeals a provision requiring a presidential primary to be held in February in any year a presidential election is held and sets the primary to be held in June. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 947 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), establishes a public campaign financing system for state elections which allows a candidate to voluntarily agree to campaign finance limitations in exchange for public funding. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 952 Sponsored by Representative Korman (R), allows certain municipalities to cancel nonpartisan elections when there are the same number of candidates as open offices. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 959 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), prohibits any person who has pled guilty or nolo contendre to or has been found guilty of specified offenses from election or appointment to certain city offices in a third or fourth class city. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 998 Sponsored by Representative Kirkton (D), establishes a public campaign financing system for state elections which allows candidates to voluntarily agree to campaign finance limitations in exchange for public funding. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 28 Sponsored by Representative Walton Gray (D), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting a person from serving more than 16 years in the General Assembly in any proportion split between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 32 Sponsored by Representative Colona (D), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting a person from serving more than 16 years in the General Assembly in any proportion split between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Voted do pass out of the House General Laws Committee on Monday. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HJR 35 Sponsored by Representative Schad (D), proposes a constitutional amendment requiring any office of a senator or representative to be deemed vacated if the member removes himself or herself from the state during session to avoid an official vote. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 36 Sponsored by Representative Kander (D), proposes a constitutional amendment reducing the number of members of the House of Representatives from 163 to 99 beginning with the 98th General Assembly. Referred to the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 37 Sponsored by Representative Hughes (D), proposes a constitutional amendment repealing legislative term limits. Referred to the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Tuesday.

HCS#2 SB 3 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), establishes photo identification requirements for voting. Voted do pass out of the House Standing Rules Committee and referred to the House Floor Rules Committee on Tuesday. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SCS SB 270 Sponsored by Senator Kraus (R), modifies the dates available for public elections. Reported from the Senate Elections Committee to the floor on Thursday.

HCS SB 282 Sponsored by Senator Engler (R), moves the presidential primary from February to March. Heard in the House Election Committee on Tuesday. Reported do pass out of the House Elections Committee and referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

SB 418 Sponsored by Senator Chappelle-Nadal (D), establishes a paper ballot as the official ballot. Voted do pass out of the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

HCS#2 SJR 2 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), allows enabling legislation for photographic identification for voting. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

SJR 12 Sponsored by Senator Green (D), increases term limits for members of the General Assembly from 8 years to 12 years in each house. Reported out of the Senate Elections Committee on Thursday.

FAMILY

HB 165 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), requires the Missouri Supreme Court standards from September 17, 1996, regarding representation of children by guardians ad litem to be updated. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Monday.

HB 452 Sponsored by Representative Hodges (D), requires health insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Referred to the House Health Insurance Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 555 Sponsored by Representative Grisamore (R), specifies that the disability of a parent cannot be a basis for a determination that a child is in need of care or should be removed or the parental rights terminated without certain court findings. Perfected on the House floor, and referred to the Fiscal Review Committee on Wednesday.

HB 587 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), changes the laws regarding the notice of the relocation of a child by the custodial parent. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 643 Sponsored by Representative May (D), specifies that criminal nonsupport will be a class D felony if the total arrearage is in excess of $10,000 and allows for abatement of certain support arrearages. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 771 Sponsored by Representative Curls (D), creates the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund and establishes the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund Board. Referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Tuesday.

HB 866 Sponsored by Representative Newman (D), changes the laws regarding domestic violence. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HB 887 Sponsored by Representative Frederick (R), changes the laws regarding midwifery and establishes registration requirements for midwives. Referred to the House Professional Registration Committee on Tuesday.

HB 902 Sponsored by Representative Neth (R), specifies that any person who makes a report of suspected child abuse to the proper authorities will be immune from civil and criminal liability. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HB 925 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), prohibits a municipality from restricting breast-feeding of a child or expressing breast milk, excludes the conduct from any sexual offense, and excuses a nursing mother from jury duty upon request. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

SS SCS SB 351 Sponsored by Senator Lamping (R), modifies provisions relating to adoption records. Second read in the House on Monday, referred to Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

GAMBLING

HCR 52 Sponsored by Representative Brown (R), requires the Missouri Gaming Commission to make annual accounting reports of public safety moneys retained by home dock cities and counties from the taxes levied on adjusted gross receipts of excursion. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 24 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), proposes a constitutional amendment specifying who can participate in the operation of a bingo game. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

GOVERNMENT ETHICS & SOCIALISM

SCS HB 307 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), allows for a special “Don’t Tread on Me” license plate to be for any vehicle except an apportioned motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle in excess of 18,000 pounds gross weight. Voted do pass out of the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday.

HB 390 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), establishes the KidCare Co-op Program, a public option, nonprofit health insurance cooperative, to provide affordable health insurance to children through 18 years of age. Referred to the House Health Care Policy Committee on Tuesday.

HB 391 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), adds home nursing visits for newborn infants including follow-up care as needed for certain at-risk newborns to the list of covered services under the MO HealthNet Program. Referred to the House Health Insurance Committee on Tuesday.

HB 454 Sponsored by Representative Hodges (D), specifies that any person who gratuitously and in good faith renders any service to another individual cannot be civilly or criminally liable for any act or omission with certain specified exceptions. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HB 708 Sponsored by Representative Curtman (R), changes the laws regarding violations of the public policy of Missouri when decisions are based on foreign law or legal code. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 768 Sponsored by Representative Bahr (R), prohibits the application of a foreign law in a contract if doing so would violate a right guaranteed under the Missouri Constitution or the United States Constitution. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HB 886 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), requires all purchases and withdrawals made with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits by a recipient in this state to be limited to in-state purchases and withdrawals only. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 1010 Sponsored by Representative Bahr (R), declares the federal health care reform law as unauthorized by the United States Constitution and creates criminal penalties for persons enforcing or attempting to enforce that federal law. Referred to the House Health Care Committee on Tuesday.

HCR 14 Sponsored by Representative Timothy Jones (R), designates February 6, 2011, as “Ronald Reagan Day” in Missouri honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of our 40th President of the United States. Referred to the House Tourism Committee on Tuesday.

HCR 30 Sponsored by Representative Frederick (R), urges the Governor and Attorney General to send a letter to the President of the United States expressing the urgency of resolving the constitutionality of the federal health care reform act. Referred to the Senate Ethics Committee on Monday.

HCR 42 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), urges the United States Congress to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions or to take action on climate change. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HCR 44 Sponsored by Representative Barnes (R), urges the United States Congress to propose a constitutional amendment under Article V of the United States Constitution for ratification by the states regarding state sovereignty. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HCR 51 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), urges the United States Congress to enact the Improved and Expanded Medicare for All Act. Referred to the House Health Insurance Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 1 Sponsored by Representative Allen (R), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting a bill from being introduced unless accompanied by a memo detailing its title, purpose, summary of sections, constitutional authority, and fiscal impact. Referred to the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Tuesday.

HCS SCS SB 68 Sponsored by Senator Mayer (R), authorizes the issuance of subpoenas for the production of records by the General Assembly. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SS SB 202 Sponsored by Senator Crowell (R), requires authorization for certain labor unions to withhold fees from paychecks or make political contributions. Second read in the House on Monday.

SB 403 Sponsored by Senator Nieves (R), modifies provisions pertaining to the filing of appeals regarding decisions made by environmental commissions. Reported out of the Senate energy Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 408 Sponsored by Senator Crowell (R), extends the MO RX prescription drug plan until August 28, 2014. Voted do pass out of the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday.

SB 421 Sponsored by Senator Pearce (R), bar felons from holding public office. Heard in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

SJR 22 Sponsored by Senator Parson (R), provides that a member of the General Assembly shall vacate his or her office if such member leaves the state during a legislative session for the purpose of avoiding any official duty or vote. Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HOMOSEXUALITY

HCR 40 Sponsored by Representative McNeil (D), establishes Missouri’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HCR 45 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to uphold and defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Heard in the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

IMMIGRATION

HB 206 Sponsored by Representative Meadows (D), specifies that a business entity or employer who knowingly hires an illegal immigrant to perform work within the state will be subject to a $50,000 fine in addition to any other penalty provided by law. Referred to the House International Trade Committee on Tuesday.

HB 983 Sponsored by Representative Meadows (D), prohibits persons who are illegally in the United States from bringing claims in state court. Referred to the House International Trade Committee on Tuesday.

PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES

SCS SB 54 Sponsored by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Referred to the House Redistricting Committee on Monday, referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SBs 394 & 331 Sponsored by Senator Goodman (R), modifies the human trafficking provisions. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 510 Sponsored by Representative Wyatt (R), requires a court to order sexually transmitted disease testing of certain defendants within one week of the date the prosecuting or circuit attorney filed the motion requesting it. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

HB 576 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), creates the School Safety and School Violence Prevention Fund to be used to establish a statewide center for school safety and school violence prevention. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 995 Sponsored by Representative Walton Gray (D), creates a Task Force on Alternative Sentencing for Victims of Human Sex Trafficking. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HB 999 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), changes the laws regarding sexual offender registration. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

SS SB 286 Sponsored by Senator McKenna (D), creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. Reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

SCS SB 400 Sponsored by Senator Kraus (R), modifies provisions regarding the crime of sexual contact with a student while on public school property. Reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee to the floor on Thursday.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

HCS HB 250 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding water well regulations. Heard in the Senate Agricultural Committee on Wednesday.

HB 424 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), designates the day after Thanksgiving Day until midnight December 26 of each year as the “Christmas Season” in Missouri. Referred to the House Tourism Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 470 & 429 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), changes the laws regarding the nonresident entertainer and professional athletic team income tax. Second read and referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.

SCS SJR 16 Sponsored by Senator Goodman (R), proposes a constitutional amendment reaffirming a citizen’s right to free expression of religion. Reported out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.

SECOND AMENDMENT

HB 113 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), lowers the age at which a person can obtain a concealed carry endorsement from 23 to 21 years of age if the person is a member of the armed forces. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 594 Sponsored by Representative Richardson (R), changes the laws regarding the possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of weapons. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 760 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), adds a member of a fire department who works full-time as a fire investigator to the list of individuals who are exempt from the prohibition on carrying a concealed firearm under certain conditions. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 841 Sponsored by Representative Fitzwater (R), allows any person with a valid concealed carry endorsement to openly carry firearms on or about his or her person or in a vehicle regardless of any other state law or local ordinance. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 27 Sponsored by Representative Brattin (R), proposes a constitutional amendment specifying that the right of every citizen to possess, purchase ammunition, and any parts or articles for the proper functioning of arms must not be infringed. Voted do pass out of the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SB 298 Sponsored by Senator Munzlinger (R), lowers the minimum age for an applicant of a concealed carry endorsement from twenty-three to twenty-one. Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SB 300 Sponsored by Senator Munzlinger (R), allows the use of centerfire handguns during the muzzleloader portion of firearms deer season. Perfected in the Senate on Tuesday, reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

TAXES

SCS HCS HB 45 Sponsored by Representative Hoskins (R), changes the laws regarding the Big Government Get Off My Back Act and provides an income tax deduction for certain small businesses that create new full-time jobs. Referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Monday, voted do pass out of the Senate Committee on Thursday.

SB 322 Sponsored by Senator Schaefer (R), extends the sunsets on certain provider taxes. Perfected in the Senate on Monday.

HB 380 Sponsored by Representative Zimmerman (D), allows an individual who is 62 years of age or older to defer paying property taxes on his or her residence under certain conditions by filing a claim with the county assessor. Referred to the House Tax Reform Committee on Tuesday.

HB 533 Sponsored by Representative (D), changes the laws regarding taxation. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HB 618 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), authorizes a state income tax deduction of up to $500 to a taxpayer for the cost of school supplies and books he or she purchased to home school a child. Referred to the House Tax Reform Committee on Tuesday.

HB 705 Sponsored by Representative Curls (D), changes the laws regarding the Missouri low-income housing tax credit. Referred to the House Economic Development Committee on Tuesday.

HB 885 Sponsored by Representative Koenig (R), allows a seller to advertise that the required sales tax will be assumed or absorbed into the price of the property sold or the services rendered if the amount of the tax is separately stated. Heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 930 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), eliminates the state income tax deduction for federal income tax liability beginning January 1, 2012. Referred to the House Tax Reform on Tuesday.

HB 942 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), increases the tax credit for adopting a special needs child from up to $10,000 to up to $25,000 and authorizes a tax credit for nonrecurring adoption expenses for any child adopted. Referred to the House Economic Development Committee on Tuesday.

HB 944 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), lowers the required age for a person to be eligible for a senior citizens property tax credit, commonly known as circuit breaker. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HB 953 Sponsored by Representative Cauthorn (R), exempts the sale of any accessories and upgrades to farm machinery and equipment, freight charges on exempt items, and fabrication labor from the state and local sales and use taxes. Heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 976 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), provides for the elimination of the corporate income tax as state sales and use tax collections increase. Referred to the House Tax Reform Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 25 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), proposes a constitutional amendment raising the allowable level of bonded indebtedness for a school district from 15% to 20% of the value of taxable tangible property in the district. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

SB 52 Sponsored by Senator Cunningham (R), requires county assessors to consider market factors in determining value of real property for tax purposes. Reported out of the Senate oversight Committee to the Senate floor on Thursday.

VETERANS

HB 149 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), extends the expiration date of the provisions regarding the Missouri Military Family Relief Fund to December 31, 2017, and the termination date of the provisions to September 1, 2018. Heard in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

HB 150 Sponsored by Representative Webber (D), requires a Missouri state employee to be compensated an amount equal to the difference between his or her military compensation and state salary when the military leave of absence exceeds 120 hours. Referred to the house Veterans Committee on Tuesday.

SB 26 Sponsored by Senator Wasson (R), allows for the issuance of Nixa Education Foundation and Combat Action special license plates. First read in the House on Thursday.

Under the Dome: April 9, 2011

valerie — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:02:30 +0000

Last week in Review: April 4-7

ABORTION

HCS HB 28 Sponsored by Representative Sater (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 will be immune from liability for refusing to do so. This bill to protect pharmacies which prefer to NOT provide abortion drugs also requires all drug induced abortions to face the same restrictions as surgical abortions in Missouri. Perfected in the House, and referred to the House Fiscal Review Committee on Tuesday, reported do pass on Wednesday and third read and passed through the House and reported to the Senate on Thursday.

HCS HB 197 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to post on its web site resources relating to umbilical cord blood. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read in the House on Tuesday and referred to the Senate Health Committee on Thursday.

HB 870 Sponsored by Representative Clem Smith (D), changes the laws regarding school course materials and instruction relating to human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases (listed as one of the top four pro choice bills by NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri). Referred to the House Education Committee on Thursday.

HR 1826 Sponsored by Representative Long (R), supports the work of Missouri’s pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes in providing outstanding service to women and families. Offered in the House on Thursday. This resolution was introduced with 100 names of members of the House of Representatives attached.

SCS SB 17 Sponsored by Senator Lembke (R), requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to make available resources relating to umbilical cord blood. Public testimony heard in the House Health Care Policy Committee on Wednesday.

SS SCS SB 65 Introduced by Senator Mayer (R), prohibits late term abortions of viable babies unless there is a confirmed (two unrelated physicians must agree) threat to the life of the mother or impairment of a major body function (no mental or emotional health exception allowed). Voted do pass out of the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee on Monday, Third read and passed by the Senate Thursday by a vote of 27-5 and reported to the House where it was first read.

SB 204 Sponsored by Senator Dempsey (R), reauthorizes the pregnancy resource center tax credit. Perfected in the Senate, and referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Wednesday.

ANIMAL RIGHTS & FAMILY FARMS

HB 458 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), establishes the Missouri Farmland Trust Act to receive donated land to preserve it as farmland and provide beginning farmers an opportunity to farm through low and variable cost leases on the land. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read in the House and first read in the Senate on Thursday.

HB 597 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), establishes the Private Landowner Protection Act which allows for the creation and enforcement of conservation easements to protect the environment and preserve certain historical or cultural property. Heard in the House Natural Resources Committee on Thursday.

HB 746 Sponsored by Representative Brown (R), authorizes a check-off box for the newly created Puppy Protection Trust Fund to be added to the individual and corporate income tax forms and allows for a separate check donation with a tax payment. Perfected in the House on Monday, second read in the Senate and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HCS HJR 3 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), proposes a constitutional amendment affirming the right of citizens to raise livestock in a humane manner without the state imposing an undue economic burden on their owners. Perfected in the House on Monday, referred to Fiscal Review on Tuesday and reported out of the Committee on Wednesday.

SS SCS SBs 113 & 95 Sponsored by Senator Parson (R), Modifies, and enhances the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Voted do pass out of the House Agriculture Committee, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

SB 150 Sponsored by Senator Munzlinger (R), allows regulated hand fishing for carp and catfish in June and July on certain waterways. Voted do pass out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

CRIME

HB 118 Sponsored by Representative Peters-Baker (D), requires local law enforcement agencies and other government agencies serving ex parte orders of protection to enter the data into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) within 24 hours. Second read and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HCS HB 253 & 398 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), authorizes a prosecuting attorney, upon agreement with an accused or defendant, to divert certain cases to a prosecution diversion program and changes the penalties for various first offense misdemeanors. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 383 Sponsored by Representative Pace (D), changes the laws regarding assault and tampering crimes against public workers and judicial officers. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Monday.

HB 652 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), expands the crime of assault of a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, emergency personnel, highway worker in a construction or work zone, or probation and parole officer to include a health care worker. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Monday.

HB 915 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), specifies that any person who fails to provide proof of motor vehicle financial responsibility will have the vehicle he or she is operating impounded until valid proof is provided and all fees are paid. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 948 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), creates the crimes of abuse of the Internet, criminal defamation, and failure to comply with a search warrant seeking computer-related identifying information. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 320 Sponsored by Senator Lamping (R), modifies provisions relating to domestic violence. Reported do pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

SB 425 Introduced by Senator Goodman (R), adds provisions to the crime of receiving stolen property relating to offenses in which the value of property or services is an element of the crime. Voted do pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

HB 101 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), allows any winery, distiller, manufacturer, wholesaler, or brewer or designated employee to provide beverage samples on certain licensed retail premises for tasting purposes. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read and sent to the Senate on Tuesday and referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday.

HB 199 Sponsored by Representative Kelley (R), specifies that a prior or persistent offender of an intoxication-related offense must perform a specified minimum number of hours of community service as an alternative to imprisonment. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read on Tuesday and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HCS HB 322 Sponsored by Representative Walton Gray (D), allows certain organizations who sell intoxicating liquor by the drink on the premises to obtain a special permit to remain open until 3:00 a.m. each day and to open on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Voted do pass out of the House Small Business Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 641 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding controlled substances. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read on Thursday and first read in the Senate.

HB 913 Sponsored by Representative Carter (R), changes the laws regarding the crimes of trafficking drugs in the first and second degree. Referred to the House Crime Prevention Committee on Thursday.

HB 1023 Sponsored by Representative Kelly (D), increases the excise tax on cigarettes from 17 cents to 98 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes upon voter approval. Second read in the House on Monday.

SB 160 Sponsored by Senator Cunningham (R), allows any winery, distiller, manufacturer, wholesaler, or brewer to provide liquor samples on certain licensed retail premises for tasting purposes. Voted do pass out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

SS SCS SB 254 Sponsored by Senator Stouffer (R), modifies the law governing intoxicated-related traffic offenses. Perfected in the Senate on Wednesday. Referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Thursday.

EDUCATION

HB 273 Sponsored by Representative Allen (R), defines “cyberbullying” as it relates to the antibullying policies school districts must adopt and establishes specific requirements for each school district in implementing the policy. Heard in the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 314 Sponsored by Representative Wells (R), repeals a school district’s authority to set policies that allow the use of tobacco products in certain school areas and prohibits smoking and use of tobacco products on all school property and school buses. Heard in the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 677 Sponsored by Representative Wells (R), removes the June 30, 2012 expiration date of the provisions requiring every child enrolling in kindergarten or first grade in a public school to receive one comprehensive vision examination. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 738 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), requires each school district to ensure that every student develops a personal plan of study prior to the end of the student’s eighth grade year. Perfected in the House on Monday. Third read and passed through the House and first read in the Senate on Tuesday.

HB 795 Sponsored by Representative Kelley (R), designates the second Friday in March as “Missouri School Read-In Day”. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read and passed through the House, and first read in the Senate on Tuesday.

HJR 38 Sponsored by Representative Barnes (R), proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the General Assembly to provide grants and scholarships for any elementary or secondary education. Second read in the House on Monday.

SB 329 Introduced by Senator Nieves (R), allows students to enroll in another school district or charter school for purposes of attending virtual courses or programs. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 372 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), modifies provisions relating to teacher contracts and establishes the Teacher Continuing Contract Act. Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 391 Sponsored by Senator Lager (R), requires the school board of each school district and charter school to establish an evaluation system for teachers and teaching. Voted do pass out of the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

ELECTIONS

HCS HB 121 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), changes the laws regarding elections. Voted do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday. Reported out of the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HCS HB 193 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), establishes the basic format for dividing Missouri into eight Congressional districts based on the 2010 census estimates. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Tuesday. First read in the Senate on Wednesday. Second read and referred to the Select Committee on Redistricting on Thursday.

HB 503 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), repeals a provision requiring a presidential primary to be held in February in any year a presidential election is held and sets the primary to be held in March of each presidential election year. First read in the Senate on Monday. Second read and referred to the Senate Elections Committee on Thursday.

HB 535 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), changes the laws regarding the circulation of initiative and referendum petitions. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 723 Sponsored by Representative Kratky (D), allows for the cancellation of an election to fill a vacancy in the General Assembly under certain specified conditions. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 856 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), changes the laws regarding initiative and referendum petitions. Rules Committee returns the HCS back to the House Elections Committee for further review on Monday.

HB 891 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), authorizes an income tax deduction from a taxpayer’s Missouri adjusted gross income for all income earned as a temporary election staff member. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 974 Sponsored by Representative Hough (R), authorizes Missouri to enter into the Interstate Compact on the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote Act. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Thursday.

HJR 23 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), proposes a constitutional amendment changing the number of signatures required on an initiative petition proposing an amendment to the Missouri Constitution or on a referendum to change a state law. Heard in the House elections Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 32 Sponsored by Representative Colona (D), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting a person from serving more than 16 years in the General Assembly in any proportion split between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Heard in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 264 Introduced by Senator Rupp (R), changes congressional districts. Voted do pass out of the Senate Redistricting Committee on Monday.

SB 282 Sponsored by Senator Engler (R), moves the presidential primary from February to March. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Monday.

SB 418 Introduced by Senator Chappelle-Nadal (D), establishes a paper ballot as the official ballot. Heard in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

SJR 10 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), lowers the number of State Representatives from 163 to 103. perfected in the Senate on Monday. Referred to the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee on Tuesday. Voted do pass out of the Senate Oversight Committee on Thursday.

FAMILY

HB 476 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), establishes the Students First Interscholastic Athletics Act which requires every high school age student to have the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics. Heard in the House Education committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 555 Sponsored by Representative Grisamore (R), specifies that the disability of a parent cannot be a basis for a determination that a child is in need of care or should be removed or the parental rights terminated without certain court findings. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HCS HB 630 Sponsored by Representative Grisamore (R), establishes the Missouri Task Force on Prematurity and Infant Mortality. Perfected in the House on Monday. First read in the Senate on Tuesday, second read and referred to the Senate Health Committee on Thursday.

HCS 643 Sponsored by Representative May (D), specifies that criminal nonsupport will be a class D felony if the total arrearage is in excess of $10,000 and allows for abatement of certain support arrearages. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 749 Sponsored by Representative Lasater (R), designates April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” and designates the blue ribbon as the official state symbol for child abuse prevention. Perfected in the House on Monday. Third read and passed though the House and first read in the Senate on Tuesday.

HB 851 Sponsored by Representative Cross (R), requires the parent or guardian of any person younger than 18 years of age prior to the minor using a tanning device in a tanning facility to appear in person giving consent to the minor’s use of the facility. Voted do pass out of the House Health Care Policy Committee on Wednesday.

HB 894 Sponsored by Representative Long (R), changes the laws regarding midwifery. Referred to the House Professional Registration Committee on Thursday.

HB 950 Sponsored by Representative Scharnhorst (R), requires a health insurer to reimburse any entity or group that is supervised by a licensed psychologist for providing applied behavior analysis services to children with autism spectrum disorders. Referred to the House Disability Services Committee on Thursday.

SB 213 Sponsored by Senator Schaefer (R), modifies what information is required in a petition for guardianship for a minor or an incapacitated person and adopts the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act. Reported perfected in the Senate on Thursday.

SS SCS SB 351 Introduced by Senator Lamping (R), modifies provisions relating to adoption records. Reported do pass out of the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday, reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

GOVERNMENT ETHICS & SOCIALISM

HCS HB 143 Sponsored by Representative Schoeller (R), changes the laws regarding hotline calls reporting suspected child abuse and neglect to the Children’s Division within the Department of Social Services. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read and passed through the House, and first read in the Senate on Tuesday and second read and referred to the Senate Health Committee on Thursday.

HB 307 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), allows for a special “Don’t Tread on Me” license plate to be for any vehicle except an apportioned motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle in excess of 18,000 pounds gross weight. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read and passed through the House and first read in the Senate on Tuesday.

HB 816 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), requires all purchases made with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits by a recipient in this state to be limited to in-state purchases only. Referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Thursday.

HB 817 Sponsored by Representative Wyatt (R), requires all purchases made with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits by a recipient in this state to be limited to in-state purchases only. Referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Thursday.

HB 865 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), specifies that the requirement that every person operating or riding on a motorcycle on any state highway wear protective headgear will not apply from August 1 through August 21 of each year. Referred to the House Transportation Committee on Thursday.

HB 1021 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), requires a telecommunications company to provide caller location information in certain emergency situations. Second read in the House on Monday.

HCR 42 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), urges the United States Congress to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions or to take action on climate change. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

SCS SB 188 Sponsored by Senator Lager (R), modifies the law relating to the Missouri Human Rights Act and employment discrimination. Reported do pass out of the House Workforce Development Committee, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

SB 308 Introduced by Senator Nieves (R), specifies how the courts and administrative agencies may rule when a dispute involves other countries or their laws. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

SCR 13 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), urges Congress to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Referred to the Senate Ethics Committee on Monday.

SB 202 Sponsored by Senator Crowell (R), requires authorization for certain labor unions to withhold fees from paychecks or make political contributions. Perfected in the Senate, and referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Wednesday. Reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

HOMOSEXUALITY

HB 460 Sponsored by Representative Lampe (D), changes the laws regarding bullying in schools. Creates politically correct protections for homosexual students. Heard in the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

SB 240 Introduced by Senator Justus (D), changes the requirements for school anti-bullying policies. Creates politically correct protections for homosexual students. Heard in the Senate Progress and Development Committee on Tuesday.

PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES

HB 781 Sponsored by Representative Torpey (R), increases the penalty for child molestation in the first degree when the victim is a child younger than 13 years of age to a class A felony. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

HB 985 Sponsored by Representative Anders (D), revises the law restricting residency for sexual offenders. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 999 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), revises the laws regarding sexual offender registration. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 54 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act and establishes the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. Perfected in the Senate and referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Tuesday, third read on Thursday and reported to the House.

SB 250 Sponsored by Senator Kehoe (R), requires sexual assault offenders to complete certain programs prior to being eligible for parole or conditional release. Vote do pass out of the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

SS SB 286 Sponsored by Senator McKenna (D), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act and establishes the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. Perfected in the Senate on Wednesday, referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Thursday.

SCS SBs 394 & 331 Sponsored by Senator Goodman (R), modifies the human trafficking provisions. Perfected in the Senate on Wednesday and referred to the Senate Oversight Committee. Third read on Thursday, reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

HCS HB 470 & 429 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), changes the laws regarding the nonresident entertainer and professional athletic team income tax by exempting churches from any such tax liability. Perfected in the House on Tuesday. Third read by the House and sent to the Senate on Thursday.

SCS SJR 16 Introduced by Senator Goodman (R), proposes a constitutional amendment reaffirming a citizen’s

right to free expression of religion. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SECOND AMENDMENT

SCS SB 300 Sponsored by Senator Munzlinger (R), allows the use of handguns during the muzzleloader portion of firearms deer season. Reported do pass out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday.

TAXES

HB 885 Sponsored by Representative Koenig (R), allows a seller to advertise that the required sales tax will be assumed or absorbed into the price of the property sold or the services rendered if the amount of the tax is separately stated. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 953 Sponsored by Representative Cauthorn (R), exempts the sale of any accessories and upgrades to farm machinery and equipment, freight charges on exempt items, and fabrication labor from the state and local sales and use taxes. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 979 Sponsored by Representative Brattin (R), imposes a flat 3.125% individual income tax rate and eliminates certain tax credits. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday. Heard in the Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 19 Sponsored by Senator Schmitt (R), phases-out the corporate franchise tax over a five year period. Truly Agreed to and finally passed the legislature, send on to be signed by Governor Nixon on Wednesday.

SCS SB 155 Sponsored by Senator Rupp (R), modifies provisions of Missouri’s real property tax increment allocation redevelopment act. Voted do pass out of the Senate Oversight Committee on Thursday.

VETERANS

HB 79 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), authorizes the issuance of a military medallion, medal, and certificate to certain veterans who served in specified conflicts regardless of whether they are or ever were legal Missouri residents. Perfected in the House on Monday, reported to the Senate and first read on Tuesday and second read and referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday

HCS HB 303 & 239 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), changes the laws regarding members of the military, military spouses, and veterans. Voted do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday, and reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HB 673 Sponsored by Representative Largent (R), authorizes the presentation of a Missouri National Guard Overseas Training Ribbon, a Missouri National Guard State Partnership Program Ribbon, and the Order of Minuteman Award. Perfected in the House on Monday, third read and passed through the House and first read in the Senate on Tuesday.

HB 931 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), establishes a funeral demonstration zone, creates the Family Funeral Victimization Fund, and makes it unlawful for a person to demonstrate in a funeral demonstration zone without obtaining a permit. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 935 Sponsored by Representative Johnson (R), requires out-of-state persons or groups who wish to protest a funeral in this state pay, prior to the protest, a $25,000 fee to local law enforcement agency in area where the protest will be held. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HCR 7 Sponsored by Representative Walton Gray (D), encourages the Missouri Veterans Commission to work with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to address the needs of women veterans and formally honors the heroic service of women veterans. Second read and referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday, and reported to the Senate on Monday.

HCR 11 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (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. Reported to the Senate on Monday, second read and referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HCR 33 Sponsored by Representative Davis (R), designates the Honor and Remember Flag as the State of Missouri’s emblem of service and sacrifice of service men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty. Reported to the Senate on Monday, second read and referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

Under the Dome; March 12, 2011

valerie — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:07:29 +0000

Last week in review: March 7-10

ABORTION

HCS HB 197 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to post on its web site resources relating to umbilical cord blood. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 213 Sponsored by Representative Tim Jones (R), specifies that no abortion of a viable unborn child can be performed or induced except in certain specified situations. Taken up for perfection in the House on Wednesday but was laid over, the House is likely to finish up on the legislation next week.

HB 425 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), authorizes an income tax dependency exemption deduction for a stillborn child for the taxable year in which the child was born. Heard in the House Tax Reform Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 483 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), requires any entity performing or assisting in certain abortions or counseling a woman to have an abortion to file an annual report regarding moneys received under the federal Public Health Service Act. Voted do pass out of the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

HB 636 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), establishes the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act which requires hospitals and health care facilities to provide emergency contraception to sexual assault victims. Heard in the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

SCS SB 17 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to make available resources relating to umbilical cord blood. Reported out of the Senate Health Committee on Thursday.

SCS SB 65 Introduced by Senator Mayer (R), modifies provisions relating to abortion with respect to viability. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

Reported from the Senate General Laws Committee to the floor on Thursday.

ANIMAL RIGHTS & FAMILY FARMS

HB 601 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), exempts the sale of feed for captive wildlife from state and local sales and use taxes. Referred to the House Agri-Business Committee on Thursday.

SS SCS SB 113 & 95 Introduced by Senator Parson (R), (R), modifies the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Perfected on the Senate floor on Tuesday, referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Wednesday and finally passed through the Senate and referred to the House on Thursday.

SCS SJR 11 Introduced by Senator Munzlinger (R), asserts the right of Missourians to hunt and fish. Voted do pass out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

CRIME

HCS HB 276, 233 & 274 Introduced by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding unlawful picketing or protesting of a funeral. Reported to the Senate and first read on Monday.

HB 406 Introduced by Representative Wieland (R), prohibits any entity that is authorized to issue traffic tickets from using an automated red light enforcement system at any intersection within its jurisdiction. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Monday.

HB 504 Introduced by Representative Silvey (R), changes the laws regarding domestic violence and orders of protection. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Monday. Heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HB 505 Sponsored by Representative Kelly (D), changes the laws regarding domestic violence and orders of protection. Heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HB 516 Sponsored by Representative Ellinger (D), prohibits any state agent from seeking the death penalty on the basis of race and permits the use of statistical evidence in certain criminal and post-conviction relief proceedings in death penalty cases. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 600 Introduced by Representative Schad (R), expands the crime of assault of a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, emergency personnel, highway worker in a construction or work zone, or probation and parole officer to include a utility worker. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Monday.

HCS HB 641 Introduced by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding controlled substances. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 652 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), changes assault of a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, emergency personnel, highway worker in a construction zone or work zone, or probation and parole officer by adding health care workers. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 691 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), creates the crime of endangerment of emergency personnel or emergency responder. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 692 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), revises the law concerning the supreme courts review of death sentences. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 693 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), revises the punishment for the crime of receiving stolen property. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 713 Introduced by Representative Phillips (R), requires the driver and each front-seat passenger in cars and trucks to wear a safety belt with certain exceptions. Voted do pass out of the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

HB 724 Sponsored by Representative Kratky (D), expands the crime of unlawful use of a weapon to include knowingly possessing a firearm while also in possession of a specified amount of a controlled substance. Referred to the house Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 725 Sponsored by Representative Kratky (D), revises unlawful use of weapons by providing that a person violating subsection 1 of 571.030 shall not receive an SIS if they already have had one for any other felony offense committed while in possession. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 770 Introduced by Representative Smith (D), adds elected officials and their staff members to the list of persons protected by enhanced penalties or assault in the first, second and third degrees. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.

HB 799 Introduced by Representative Carlson (D), repeals the death penalty and establishes the Cold Case Investigation Revolving Fund. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 800 Introduced by Representative Stream (R), prohibits the spanking of any student in a public school who has an individualized education plan. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 802 Sponsored by Representative McCaherty (R), revises the crime of property damage in the first degree by including damaging a motor vehicle while making entry into it to steal or when the damage occurs while the person is stealing within it. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HB 803 Sponsored by Representative Hughes (D), eliminates the payment of an intervention fee as a condition of parole. Second read in the House on Thursday.

HB 805 Sponsored by Representative Hughes (D), authorizes the expungement of certain criminal records including convictions for any nonviolent crime, misdemeanor, or nonviolent drug violation. First read in the House on Wednesday. Second read in the House on Thursday.

SB 221 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), (R), establishes damage caps for Human Rights Act cases and workers’ compensation discrimination cases. Voted do pass out of the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday.

SB 387 Introduced by Senator Wasson (R), allows a court of order a criminal offender serve a sentence of confinement on electronic monitoring and to charge the state or the offender up to $8 a day for such monitoring. Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

SCS SB 188 Sponsored by Senator Lager (R), modifies the law relating to the Missouri Human Rights Act and employment discrimination. Reported to the House and first read on Thursday.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

HB 658 Sponsored by Representative Schatz (R), moves the controlled substance classification of all methamphetamine precursor drugs in Schedule IV and V to Schedule III requiring a prescription for them which will be known as Meth Lab Elimination Act. Heard in the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

EDUCATION

HCS HB 473 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), changes the laws regarding charter schools and establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 511 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), establishes the Every Child Can Learn Act which requires all St. Louis City public schools to use a response-to-intervention tiered approach to reading instruction for certain struggling students. Heard in the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

HB 543 Sponsored by Representative Fitzwater (R), requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop standards for professional improvement plans for teachers and principals. Referred to the House Education Committee on Thursday.

HB 602 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), changes the laws regarding the lapse of a school district when it has been unaccredited by the State Board of Education for two successive school years. Referred to the House Education Committee on Thursday.

HB 752 Introduced by Representative Torpey (R), modifies provisions relating to compulsory school attendance. Second read in the House on Monday, referred to the House Education Committee on Thursday.

HB 763 Introduced by Representative Stream (R), establishes school enrollment options for students from unaccredited districts. Second read in the House on Monday, referred to the House Education Committee on Thursday.

HB 764 Introduced by Representative Webb (D), limits student participation in extracurricular activity based on academic performance. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 765 Introduced by Representative Aull (D), allows school districts to use a calendar based on hours of attendance, rather than hours and days of attendance. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 795 Introduced by Representative Kelley (R), designates the second Friday in March as “Missouri School Read-In Day”. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 835 Sponsored by Representative Lampe (R), requires children in the St. Louis City School District to attend school at age five. First read in the House on Thursday.

HB 836 Sponsored by Representative Scharnhorst (R), requires the Division of Special Education to develop a program to provide ombudsman services to children and families regarding special education programs and services. First read in the House on Thursday.

HB 844 Sponsored by Representative Denison (R), requires all children and youth over 15 years of age in the care of the state as a foster child or in a Division of Youth Services program to receive a half-day visit to a technical or community college. First read in the House on Thursday.

SCS SB 37 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), (R), establishes the “Students First Interscholastic Athletics Act” to allow each student of high school age the opportunity to seek to participate in interscholastic athletics. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SB 242 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), (R), allows a pupil to enroll in an adjoining school district if the student’s residence is located closer to a school in the adjoining district or in cases of transportation hardship. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 253 Introduced by Senator Callahan (D), modifies provisions relating to summer school attendance. Heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 369 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), (R), establishes procedures for resident pupils of an unaccredited school district to enroll in another school in the same or an adjoining county. Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

ELECTIONS

HCS HB 121 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), changes the laws regarding elections. Voted do pass out of the House Elections Committee on Wednesday.

HB 171 Sponsored by Representative Ruzicka (R), allows certain third class cities to cancel any primary election for the office of mayor and councilman. Perfected in the House on Wednesday.

HB 503 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), repeals a provision requiring a presidential primary to be held in February in any year a presidential election is held and sets the primary to be held in March of each presidential election year. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 535 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), changes the laws regarding the circulation of initiative and referendum petitions. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Thursday.

HB 629 Introduced by Representative Cierpiot (R), changes the laws regarding the dates of public elections. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 709 Sponsored by Representative Nichols (D), changes provisions relating to elections. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Thursday.

HB 723 Sponsored by Representative Kratky (D), allows for the cancellation of an election to fill a vacancy in the General Assembly under certain specified conditions. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Thursday.

HB 796 Sponsored by Representative Schupp (D), changes the laws regarding the Fair Ballot Access Act by repealing the provision which requires a petition to form a new political party to contain the name of a resident of each Congressional district. Second read in the House on Wednesday.

HJR 36 Sponsored by Representative Kander (D), proposes a constitutional amendment reducing the number of members of the House of Representatives from 163 to 99. Second read in the House on Wednesday.

HCS SB 3 Sponsored by Representative Stouffer (R), establishes photo identification requirements for voting. Voted do pass out of the House elections Committee on Wednesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

SB 282 Introduced by Senator Engler (R), moves the presidential primary from February to March. Reported from the Senate Elections Committee to the floor on Thursday.

SB 418 Introduced by Senator Chappelle-Nadal (D), establishes a paper ballot as the official ballot. Second read and referred to the Senate Elections Committee on Thursday.

SB 421 Introduced by Senator Pearce (R), bar felons from holding public office. Second read and referred to the Senate Elections Committee on Thursday.

HCS SJR 2 Introduced by Senate Stouffer (R), allows enabling legislation for photographic identification for voting. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday, heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday and Voted do pass on Wednesday.

SJR 10 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), lowers the number of State Representatives from 163 to 103. Voted do pass out of the Senate Governmental Accountability Committee on Wednesday.

FAMILY

HCS HB 259 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), authorizes a public body to close certain foster care licensure data and requires the Division of Family Services to prepare a detailed report of specific information obtained in the licensure process. Voted do pass out of the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HCS HB 431 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding foster care and adoption, establishes the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board, and creates the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 604 Introduced by Representative Long (R), specifies that the disability of a parent cannot be a basis for a determination that a child is in need of care or should be removed or the parental rights terminated without certain court findings. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 680 Sponsored by Representative White (R), requires a checklist form to be completed prior to finalizing an adoption which verifies that all documents and procedures have been submitted, complied with, and reviewed by the judge. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HB 804 Sponsored by Representative Hughes (D), increases the length of time from no later than 15 days to no later than 60 days after the birth of a child in which the father has to establish paternity prior to an adoption. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HCR 45 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to uphold and defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Offered in the House on Thursday.

GAMBLING

HB 745 Sponsored by Representative Brown (R), requires 10% of the adjusted gross receipts tax on gambling boats to be used for services necessary for the safety of the public visiting an excursion gambling boat. Heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HJR 29 Sponsored by Representative Solon (R), proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the State Lottery Commission to develop and sell a Veterans Lottery Ticket to support the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund. Reported do pas out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

GOVERNMENT ETHICS & SOCIALISM

HCS HB 29 Sponsored by Representative Sater (R), establishes the Volunteer Health Services Act which allows a licensed health care provider to render volunteer professional health care services for a sponsoring organization. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 108 Introduced by Representative Jason Smith (R), modifies the law relating to campaign finance. First read in the Senate on Monday.

HCS HB 143 Sponsored by Representative Schoeller (R), changes the laws regarding hotline calls reporting suspected child abuse and neglect to the Children’s Division within the Department of Social Services. Voted do pass out of the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HB 307 Introduced by Representative Gatschenberger (R), allows for a special “Don’t Tread on Me” license plate to be for any vehicle except an apportioned motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle in excess of 18,000 pounds gross weight. Voted do pass out of the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HB 423 Sponsored by Representative Burlison (R), authorizes Missouri to adopt the provisions of the Health Care Compact which pledges to improve health care policy by returning the authority to regulate health care to the state legislatures. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 466 Introduced by Representative Schoeller (R), allows an employer or labor organization to obtain political contributions through a payroll deduction if the employee or member consents to the contribution in writing. Voted do pass out of the House Workforce Development Committee on Monday.

HB 515 Sponsored by Representative Wallingford (R), establishes the Embryo Transfer Act which authorizes the legal relinquishment and subsequent transfer of human embryos. Heard in the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

HB 663 Sponsored by Representative Ruzicka (R), revises law regarding a $2 surcharge on criminal cases by making it mandatory and allows the money collected to be used for information sharing as well as biometric verification systems. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HB 683 Sponsored by Representative Peters-Baker (D), changes the laws regarding the Safe Place for Newborns Act by increasing the number of days that a parent can relinquish physical custody of a newborn without being prosecuted. Heard in the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

HB 750 Introduced by Representative Hinson (R), increases the amount of the fee in the proposal to establish fees for wireless enhanced 911 service to seventy-five cents. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 767 Sponsored by Representative Bahr (R), allows the Department of Revenue and the Office of Administration to enter into collection and offset of indebtedness agreements with the United States government and other states. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 768 Introduced by Representative Bahr (R), prohibits the application of foreign law in contracts if the foreign law violates or would likely violate the Missouri Constitution or the United States Constitution. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 816 Sponsored by Representative Parkinson (R), requires all purchases made by public assistance recipients with temporary assistance for needy families benefits to be in-state purchases only. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HB 817 Sponsored by Representative Wyatt (R), requires all purchases made by public assistance recipients with temporary assistance for needy families benefits to be in-state purchases only. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HJR 35 Introduced by Representative Schad (R), proposes a constitutional amendment vacating the office of any state representative or senator who removes himself or herself from the state to avoid any official duty or vote. Second read in the House on Monday.

SJR 15 Introduced by Senator Nieves (R), prohibits Missouri state government from recognizing, enforcing, or acting in furtherance of certain actions of the federal government. Voted do pass out of the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HOMOSEXUALITY

HB 477 Sponsored by Representative Webber (D), changes the laws regarding complaints filed with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights and makes discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation an unlawful discriminatory practice. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HB 829 Sponsored by Representative Weter (R), adds acts that would be considered a hate crime to the list of acts that constitute bullying in schools. First read in the House on Thursday.

IMMIGRATION

HB 167 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), requires Missouri driver’s license examinations to only be administered in English. Perfected in the House on Wednesday, and reported to the Senate and first read on Thursday.

HB 478 Introduced by Representative Wyatt (R), prohibits state departments from contracting with or providing money to any entity that has been found guilty of or pled guilty to violating any election, tax, or immigration law of this state. Heard in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HB 731 Introduced by Representative Parkinson (R), adds citizenship information to the sexual offender registration form and requires the State Highway Patrol to report to the federal government any non-U.S. citizen on the sexual offender registry. Heard in the House Job Creation Committee on Monday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday. Voted do pass out of the House International Trade Committee on Wednesday.

HB 784 Introduced by Representative Riddle (R), broadens prohibitions against disclosure of personal information contained in department of revenue motor vehicle and driver registration records. First read in the House on Tuesday.

HB 791 Introduced by Representative Marshall (R), revises various laws regarding DNA profiling analysis and the surcharge which helps pay for it. First read in the House on Tuesday.

SB 72 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), requires the Attorney General to sue the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws. Voted do pass out of the Senate Governmental Accountability Committee on Wednesday.

PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES

HCS HB 214 Introduced by Representative Zerr (R), changes the laws regarding human trafficking. First read in the Senate on Monday.

HB 781 Introduced by Representative Torpey (R), increases the penalty for child molestation in the first degree when the victim is a child less than thirteen. First read in the House on Tuesday. Second read in the House on Wednesday.

SCS SB 54 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Voted do pass out of the Senate Education Committee, reported to the floor on Thursday.

SB 250 Introduced by Senator Kehoe (R), requires sexual assault offenders to complete certain programs prior to being eligible for parole or conditional release. Voted do pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

SB 286 Introduced by Senator McKenna (D), creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

HCS HB 250 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding water well regulations. Perfected in the House on Wednesday.

HCS HB 470 & 429 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), exempts certain not-for-profit entities from the nonresident entertainer and professional athletic team income tax. Referred to the House rules Committee on Wednesday.

HJR 2 Introduced by Representative McGhee (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen’s right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen’s right to choose any or no religion. Referred to the House Fiscal Review Committee on Tuesday, reported to the Senate and first read on Thursday.

SECOND AMENDMENT

HB 252 Introduced by Representative Cox (R), establishes the Business Premises Safety Act. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday, reported do pass on Wednesday.

HCS HB 294, 123, 125, 113, 271 & 215 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), changes the laws regarding firearms, ammunition, and concealed carry endorsements. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 361 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), establishes the Missouri Firearms Freedom Act. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 537 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), requires the sheriff or chief of police to execute, within 15 business days, all documents required under federal law by an applicant for the purchase or transfer of a firearm with certain exceptions. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 727 Sponsored by Representative Kratky (D), revises the crime of unlawful use of weapons and authorizes the revocation of a concealed carry endorsement when the holder is convicted of committing a felony while in the possession of a firearm. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 760 Introduced by Representative Johnson (D), allows full- time fire investigators to carry concealed weapons without a concealed carry endorsement if they have met the training requirements for a concealed carry endorsement. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 778 Introduced by Representative Riddle (R), allows certain persons to carry concealed firearms in the state capitol building or at a meeting of the general assembly if it is held in the state capitol building if they have a concealed carry endorsement. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 841 Sponsored by Representative Fitzwater (R), makes it legal for any person who has a valid concealed carry endorsement to openly carry firearms on or about his or her person or within a vehicle regardless of any other state law or local ordinance. First read in the House on Thursday.

TAXES

HCS HB 45 Introduced by Representative Hoskins (R), changes the laws regarding the Big Government Get Off My Back Act and provides an income tax deduction for certain small businesses that create new full-time jobs. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 76 Introduced by Representative Nolte (R), limits the tax liability of a corporation for corporate franchise taxes to no more than $2 million annually. First read in the Senate on Monday.

HCS HB 116 & 316 Introduced by Representative Flanigan (R), changes the laws regarding the collection of money owed to the state and authorizes an amnesty from the assessment or payment of the penalties, taxes, and interest on certain unpaid tax delinquencies. First read in the Senate on Monday.

HCS HB 408 Introduced by Representative Koenig (R), reduces the corporate income tax rate from 6.25% to 3.125%, authorizes an additional sales tax of .4939%, and eliminates the corporate franchise tax beginning January 1, 2013. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 447 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), changes the laws regarding the Real Property Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act. Referred to the House Local Government Committee on Thursday.

HCS HB 506 Introduced by Representative Fuhr (R), removes the requirement that certain school districts must revise tax rates when there is a tax rate reduction after certain tax revenue calculations and allows them to revise the rates. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HCS HJR 8 Introduced by Representative Koenig (R), proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the individual and corporate income tax, corporation and bank franchise taxes, and sales and use tax with a fair sales tax on certain property and services. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

SCS SB 19 Sponsored by Representative Schmitt (R), phases-out the corporate franchise tax over a five year period. Voted do pass out of the House International Trade Committee on Wednesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

SB 427 Introduced by Senator Lamping (R), repeals state and local use taxes. Second read and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

VETERANS

HCS HB 136 Introduced by Representative Day (R), allows a spouse of an active member of the United States Armed Forces to be eligible for unemployment benefits if accompanying the spouse in the event of a military transfer. First read in the Senate on Monday.

HB 238 Introduced by Representative Kander (R), allows a spouse of an active member of the United States Armed Forces or reservist on active duty to be eligible for unemployment benefits if accompanying the military spouse in the event of a military move. Voted do pass out of the House Workforce Development Committee on Monday.

HB 442 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), gives a bidding preference in a state contract for products and services manufactured, produced, or assembled by certain veteran-owned businesses headquartered in Missouri. Perfected in the House on Wednesday.

HB 654 Sponsored by Representative Fitzwater (R), designates March 26 of each year as “Veterans of Operation Iraq/Enduring Freedom Day”. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Thursday.

HJR 30 Sponsored by Representative Wyatt (R), proposes a constitutional amendment exempting portions of veterans’ homestead property from property tax based on degrees of service-connected disability. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Thursday.

Under the Dome: February 26, 2011

valerie — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:22:33 +0000

Last week in review: Feb 21-24

ABORTION

HCS HB 213 Sponsored by Representative Tim Jones (R), specifies that no abortion of a viable unborn child can be performed or induced except in certain specified situations. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HB 385 Sponsored by Representative Faith (R), reauthorizes the provisions regarding the tax credit for contributions to pregnancy resource centers and extends the expiration date until August 28, 2023. Referred to the House Economic Development Committee on Thursday.

HB 425 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), authorizes an income tax dependency exemption deduction for a stillborn child for the taxable year in which the child was born. Referred to the House Tax reform Committee on Thursday.

HB 483 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), requires any entity performing or assisting in certain abortions or counseling a woman to have an abortion to file an annual report regarding moneys received under the federal Public Health Service Act. Referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Thursday.

HB 636 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), establishes the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act which requires hospitals and health care facilities to provide emergency contraception (including abotifaceints) to sexual assault victims. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday and referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Thursday.

HCR 40 Sponsored by Representative McNeil (D), establishes Missouri’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. First read in the House on Thursday.

SB 65 Introduced by Senator Mayer (R), modifies provisions relating to abortion with respect to viability. Public testimony taken in the Senate General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 204 Introduced by Senator Dempsey (R), reauthorizes the pregnancy resource center tax credit. Voted “do pass” out of the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday, reported to the floor on Thursday.

SB 332 Introduced by Senator Justus (D), modifies provisions relating to expanded sex education in public schools. First read in the Senate on Wednesday.

SB 348 Introduced by Senator Wright-Jones (R), enacts the Prevention First Act. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

ANIMAL RIGHTS & FAMILY FARMS

HCS HB 131 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

CRIME

HB 159 Sponsored by Representative Brandom (R), allows for house arrest with electronic monitoring or shackling for certain nonviolent offenders and requires the state to provide reimbursement for the total cost of house arrest in certain cases. Public testimony taken in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 276, 233 & 274 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the laws regarding unlawful picketing or protesting of a funeral. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 585 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), changes the laws regarding actions against a person for conduct or speech at a public hearing or meeting. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 589 Sponsored by Representative Ruzicka (R), increases the penalty for making a false report if the crime which is falsely reported was a felony. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday and referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 592 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), modifies funeral protest provisions. First read in the House on Monday. Second read in the House on Tuesday, referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 600 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), adds utility workers to the list of persons who can be victims of the crimes of assault of a law enforcement officer etc, in the first, second, and third degrees. First read in the House on Monday.

HB 652 Sponsored by Representative Riddle, changes assault of a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, emergency personnel, highway worker in a construction zone or work zone, or probation and parole officer by adding health care workers. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HB 693 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), revises the punishment for the crime of receiving stolen property. First read in the House on Thursday.

SB 16 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), prohibits political subdivisions from using automated photo red light enforcement systems to enforce red light violations. Public testimony taken in the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday.

SB 320 Introduced by Senator Lamping (R), modifies provisions relating to domestic violence. First read in the Senate on Tuesday.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

HB 73 Sponsored by Representative Brandom (R), requires drug testing for work-eligible TANF applicants and recipients based upon reasonable suspicion. Second read in the Senate Health Committee on Monday.

HB 551 Sponsored by Representative Schieffer (D), adds bath salts or MDPV to the list of schedule I controlled substances. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 572 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), adds bath salts to the list of schedule I controlled substances. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 623 Sponsored by Representative Marshall (R), changes the penalty for persons with prior DWI convictions who cause an accident in which another person is killed and increases the insurance liability limits for persons with prior DWI convictions. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 632 Sponsored by Representative Frederick (R), establishes the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Act to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances. First read in the House on Tuesday.

HB 641 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), changes the definition of marijuana, specifies that analogues and homologues be treated as controlled substances in schedule I for purposes of any state law, and adds bath salts and K3 to schedule I substance. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday and referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 658 Sponsored by Representative Schatz, Creates the Meth Lab Elimination Act. First read on Wednesday.

HB 540 Sponsored by Representative Schneider (R), creates the crime of practicing medicine while intoxicated. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

EDUCATION

HB 362 Sponsored by Representative Scharnhorst (R), establishes Bryce’s Law which authorizes a tax credit for a person donating to a scholarship-granting organization for special needs students if it is not claimed on his or her federal income tax return. Public testimony taken in the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

HB 473 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), changes the laws regarding charter schools and establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Public testimony taken in the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

HB 511 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), establishes the Every Child Can Learn Act which requires all St. Louis City public schools to use a response-to-intervention tiered approach to reading instruction for certain struggling students. Referred to the House Education Committee on Thursday.

HB 576 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), creates the School Safety and School Violence Prevention Fund. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 582 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), establishes smaller class sizes for school districts in St. Louis City and St. Louis County than the minimum and desirable standards of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Second read in the House on Monday, referred to the House Education Committee on Thursday.

HB 583 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 599 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), expands the crime of sexual contact with a student to include sexual contact made while not on public school property. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.

HB 602 Sponsored by Representative Schad (R), modifies provisions relating to school district corporate organization lapse for failure to provide for the minimum school term or unccredited classification for two successive school years. First read in the House on Monday. Second read in the House on Tuesday.

HB 612 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), establishes smaller class sizes for school districts in Kansas City than the established minimum and desirable standards of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 614 Sponsored by Representative Holsman, prohibits a higher education institution from charging a Missouri resident who is a full-time student a tuition rate that exceeds the amount charged when the student enrolls for the next five years. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday

HB 617 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), requires any school district designated as unaccredited or provisionally accredited to meet certain attendance requirements. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 621 Sponsored by Representative Holsman (D), requires a student wanting to drop out of high school to attend a dropout prevention seminar. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 624 Sponsored by Representative McNeil (D), prohibits corporal punishment in schools. First read in the House on Tuesday. Second read in the House on Wednesday.

HB 628 Sponsored by Representative Dieckhaus (R), changes the laws regarding teacher contracts and establishes the Teacher Continuing Contract Act. First read in the House on Tuesday. Second read and referred to the House Education Committee on Wednesday .

HB 639 Sponsored by Representative McNary (R), requires school districts to establish requirements for student academic progression. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read and referred to the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

HB 642 Sponsored by Representative Cookson, modifies provisions relating to summer school attendance. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

SS SCS SB 13 Sponsored by Senator Pearce (R), requires the Joint Committee on Education to oversee a task force on teacher compensation and effectiveness. Perfected in the Senate on Tuesday, first read in the House on Thursday.

SB 14 Introduced by Senator Pearce (R), requires the State Board of Education to establish criteria for the transfer of students from an unaccredited school district to an accredited district in the same or an adjoining county. Public testimony taken in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 129 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), exempts the St. Louis City School District from the requirement that it pay tuition and transportation for students who attend an accredited school under certain circumstances. Public testimony taken in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 329 Introduced by Senator Nieves (R), allows students to enroll in another school district or charter school for purposes of attending virtual courses or programs. First read in the Senate on Wednesday.

ELECTIONS

HCS HB 108 Sponsored by Representative Jason Smith (R), allows a political action committee to receive a contribution from any corporation, association, or partnership instead of from only those formed under Chapters 347 – 360, RSMo. Voted “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Tuesday, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 107 Sponsored by Representative Jason Smith (R), requires special elections to fill certain vacancies in the positions of United States Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and State Treasurer. Referred to the House Fiscal Review Committee on Wednesday, first read in the Senate on Thursday.

HB 171 Sponsored by Representative Ruzicka (R), allows certain third class cities to cancel any primary election for the office of mayor and councilman. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 240 Sponsored by Representative Fallert (D), requires anyone requesting 50 or more voter registration applications to provide certain information to the Office of the Secretary of State. Public testimony taken in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 329 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), establishes an advance voting period and requires a voter to present an approved form of personal identification to vote at an election. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 432 Sponsored by Representative Kander (D), changes the laws regarding ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

HB 503 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), provides that presidential primaries are held in March of each presidential election year. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Monday.

HB 627 Sponsored by Representative Curls (R), allows certain transfers between political action committees and candidate committees or elected officials for educational or service in office purposes. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 629 Sponsored by Representative Cierpiot (R), modifies the dates available for public elections. First read in the House on Tuesday.

HB 640 Sponsored by Representative Neth (R), prohibits electioneering activities and materials inside and within 250 feet of polling places. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HJR 6 Sponsored by Representative Cierpiot (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HJR 14 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), proposes a constitutional amendment changing the laws regarding elections by authorizing provisions relating to advance voting, voter identification, and absentee voting. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HJR 16 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), proposes a constitutional amendment changing the number of voter signatures that are required to place an initiative petition or a referendum on a ballot. Public testimony taken in the House Elections Committee on Tuesday.

HJR 21 Sponsored by Representative Sifton (D), proposes a constitutional amendment placing additional voting restrictions on the General Assembly to amend or repeal any statute adopted by initiative or referendum. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Thursday.

HJR 28 Sponsored by Representative Walton Gray (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 Senate. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

SB 3 Sponsored by Representative Stouffer (R), establishes photo identification requirements for voting. Second read in the House on Monday.

SB 225 Introduced by Senator Engler (R), provides for nonpartisan elections of judicial candidates and forbids certain judges and candidates from engaging in political activities. Voted “do pass” out of the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

SB 270 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), modifies the dates available for public elections. Public testimony taken in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

SB 282 Introduced by Senator Engler (R), moves the presidential primary from February to March. Public testimony taken in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

SB 292 Sponsored by Senator Schaaf (R), requires presidential and vice presidential candidates to show valid birth certificates. Second read and referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.

SB 318 Introduced by Senator Dixon (R), requires voter registration application forms to be distributed from Conservation offices and permit vendors authorized to issue resident hunting and fishing permits. First read in the Senate on Tuesday.

SJR 2 Introduced by Senator Stouffer (R), allows enabling legislation for photographic identification for voting. First read in the House on Thursday.

SJR 10 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), lowers the number of State Representatives from 163 to 103. Public testimony taken in the Senate Governmental Accountability Committee on Wednesday.

SJR 12 Introduced by Senator Green (R), increases term limits for members of the General Assembly from 8 years to 12 years in each house. Public testimony taken in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

FAMILY

HB 417 Sponsored by Representative Richardson (R), allows any person having a parent/child relationship with a minor child who is not the biological or legal parent to petition the court for custody and visitation rights. Public testimony taken in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HB 539 Sponsored by Representative Hubbard (D), creates a two year pilot project within the department of corrections and with the cooperation of the division of family services to increase the access children have to incarcerated mothers. Referred to the House Corrections on Thursday.

HB 555 Sponsored by Representative Grisamore (R), prohibits discrimination based on disability in termination of parental rights cases. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 565 Sponsored by Representative Denison (R), gives immunity from civil or criminal liability to persons reporting suspected child abuse to proper authorities. Second read in the House on Monday. Referred to the House Children and Families Committee on Thursday.

HB 587 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), changes the requirements for providing notice of the relocation of a child by the custodial parent. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 604 Sponsored by Representative Long (R), outlines the parental rights of individuals with disabilities in termination of parental rights cases. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read in the House on Wednesday and referred to the Disability Services Committee on Thursday.

HB 643 Sponsored by Representative May (D), allows for abatement of certain support arrearages in criminal nonsupport cases. First read in the House on Wednesday.

HB 680 Sponsored by Representative White, requires a checklist form to be completed prior to the finalizing an adoption which verifies that all documents and procedures have been submitted, complied with, and reviewed by the judge. First read in the House on Thursday.

HB 683 Sponsored by Representative Peters-Baker (D), changes the laws regarding the Safe Place for Newborns Act by increasing from five to 45 days after birth the time a parent can relinquish physical custody of a newborn without being prosecuted. First read in the House on Thursday.

SB 213 Introduced by Senator Schaefer (R), modifies what information is required in a petition for guardianship for a minor or an incapacitated person and adopts the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act. Public testimony taken in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

GAMBLING

HJR 24 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), proposes a constitutional amendment specifying who can participate in the operation of a bingo game. Second read in the House on Monday.

SB 319 Introduced by Senator Dixon (R), allows debts owed to ambulance service providers to be collected from income tax refunds and lottery winnings of patients. First read in the House on Tuesday.

GOVERNMENT ETHICS & SOCIALISM

HB 139 Sponsored by Representative Jason Smith (R), requires the Office of Administration to maintain public school and county and municipal government accountability information and the Governor’s travel information on the Missouri Accountability Portal. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

HB 145 Sponsored by Representative Schoeller, requires any entity receiving state funds to publish the name and compensation of each lobbyist employed by the entity and the name and membership dues paid to any other entity. Referred to the House Local Government Committee on Thursday.

HB 310 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger, establishes the State Authority and Federal Tax Fund Act and reasserts the state’s authority under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HCR 19 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), submits an official application by the State of Missouri for the calling of a convention for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HJR 26 Sponsored by Representative Curtman (R), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting the state government from recognizing, enforcing, or acting in furtherance of certain actions of the federal government. Second read in the House on Monday.

HJR 31 Sponsored by Representative Wells (R), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of international law or Sharia law by state courts. First read in the House on Thursday.

SCS SB 68 Sponsored by Representative Mayer (R), authorizes the issuance of subpoenas for the production of records by the General Assembly. Public testimony taken in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 308 Introduced by Senator Nieves (R), specifies how the courts and administrative agencies may rule when a dispute involves other countries or their laws. Second read and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

HOMOSEXUALITY

HCR 40 Sponsored by Representative McNeil (D), establishes Missouri’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. First read in the House on Thursday.

IMMIGRATION

HB 167 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), requires Missouri driver’s examinations to only be administered in English. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 478 Sponsored by Representative Wyatt (R), prohibits state departments from contracting with or providing money to any entity that has been found guilty of or pled guilty to violating any election, tax, or immigration law of this state. Referred to the House Elections Committee on Thursday.

SB 72 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), requires the Attorney General to sue the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws. Public testimony taken in the Senate Governmental Accountability Committee on Wednesday.

PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES

HCS HB 154 Sponsored by Representative Black (D), specifies that a prisoner who commits sexual misconduct in the second degree in the presence of a minor or a person working in a jail, prison, or correctional facility will be guilty of a class D felony. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HCS HB 214 Sponsored by Representative Zerr (R), changes the laws regarding human trafficking. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 433 Sponsored by Representative Kander (D), changes the classification of certain human trafficking crimes and establishes fines and prison terms for the crimes. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Thursday.

HB 660 Sponsored by Representative Rizzo, allows urban cities to create, maintain and make public a list of the names of persons who have pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of patronizing prostitution. First read in the House on Thursday.

SB 331 Introduced by Senator Lamping (R), modifies the human trafficking provisions. First read in the Senate on Wednesday.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

HCS HB 250 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding water well regulations. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 470 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk (R), exempts certain not-for-profit entities from the nonresident entertainer and professional athletic team income tax. Public testimony taken in the House Tax Reform Committee on Wednesday.

HB 603 Sponsored by Representative Schupp (D), establishes Nathan’s Law which changes the laws regarding child care facilities. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday. Referred to the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee on Thursday.

HB 690 Sponsored by Representative Bahr (R), changes the laws regarding immunizations for children. First read in the House on Thursday.

SB 339 Introduced by Senator Rupp (R), establishes “Sam Pratt’s Law” and “Nathan’s Law” and modifies provisions relating to child care providers. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

SECOND AMENDMENT

HB 252 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), establishes the Business Premises Safety Act. Public testimony taken in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 594 Sponsored by Representative Richardson (R), revises the law regarding possession, manufacture, transport, repair or sale of weapons. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.

HB 596 Sponsored by Representative Schieffer (R), prohibits the sales tax on firearms or ammunition from being levied at a higher rate than for any sales tax or other excise tax charged on any sporting goods or equipment or any hunting equipment. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday

HJR 27 Sponsored by Representative Brattin, proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to possess or purchase ammunition and mechanical parts essential to the proper functioning of firearms. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Thursday.

SB 298 Introduced by Senator Munzlinger (R), lowers the minimum age for an applicant of a concealed carry endorsement from twenty-three to twenty-one. Second read and referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.

SB 300 Introduced by Senator Munzlinger (R), allows the use of handguns during the muzzleloader portion of firearms deer season. Second read and referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday.

SB 330 Introduced by Senator Dixon (R), allows certain state officials and employees to carry concealed firearms in the state capitol building. First read in the Senate on Wednesday.

TAXES

HB 45 Sponsored by Representative Hoskins (R), modifies provisions of the Big Government Get Off My Back Act and creates an income tax deduction for small business job creation. Second read in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Monday.

HCS HB 116 & 316 Sponsored by Representative Flanigan (R), authorizes an amnesty from the assessment or payment of all penalties, additions to tax, and interest on delinquencies of unpaid taxes which occurred on or prior to December 31, 2010. Referred to the House Rules Committee on Monday.

HB 335 Sponsored by Representative Burlison (R), allows, upon voter approval, a political subdivision to replace any personal property taxes levied for funding the political subdivision with a revenue-neutral increase in local sales or real property taxes. Public testimony taken in the House Tax Reform Committee on Wednesday.

HB 571 Sponsored by Representative Faith (R), reduces the maximum penalty on delinquent county property taxes. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 637 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), changes the laws regarding the Missouri individual income tax. First read in the House on Tuesday.

HCS HJR 8 Sponsored by Representative Koenig (R), proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the individual and corporate income tax, corporation and bank franchise taxes, and sales and use tax with a fair sales tax on certain property and services. Voted “do pass” out of the House Tax Reform Committee on Wednesday.

SJR 20 Introduced by Senator Lager (R), limits general revenue appropriations and mandates state income tax rate reductions in certain situations. First read in the House on Tuesday.

VETERANS

HCS HB 116 & 316 Sponsored by Representative Flanigan (R), changes the laws regarding the collection of money owed to the state and authorizes an amnesty from the assessment or payment of the penalties, taxes, and interest on certain unpaid tax delinquencies. Reported “do pass” out of the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HB 654 Sponsored by Representative Fitzwater, designates March 26 of each year as “Veterans of Operation Iraq/Enduring Freedom Day”. First read in the House on Wednesday. Second read in the House on Thursday.

HB 673 Sponsored by Representative Largent, authorizes a Missouri national guard overseas training ribbon, state partnership program ribbon, and the order of the minuteman award. First read in the House on Thursday.

HCR 33 Sponsored by Representative Davis, designates the Honor and Remember Flag as the State of Missouri’s emblem of service and sacrifice of service men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty. Referred to the House Veterans Committee on Thursday.

HCR 35 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), requests the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard to establish a voluntary reporting program for Missouri National Guard members and veterans who have been exposed to depleted uranium. Offered up in the House on Tuesday.

Referred: Veterans (H) on Thursday.

HJR 30 Sponsored by Representative Wyatt (R), proposes a constitutional amendment exempting portions of veterans’ homestead property from property tax based on degrees of service-connected disability. First read in the House on Wednesday. Second read in the House on Thursday.

Under the Dome: February 19

valerie — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:38:41 +0000

Week in Review February 14-17

ABORTION

Prior to being voted on by the committee an amendment was added to include HB 328 related to the Abortion-inducing Drugs Safety Act which places restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs

HCS HB 213 Sponsored by Representative Tim Jones (R), specifies that no abortion of a viable unborn child can be performed or induced except in certain specified situations. Voted do pass out of the House Health Care Committee, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 350 Sponsored by Representative Newman (D), changes the laws regarding sex education in schools, establishes the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act and the Birth Control Protection Act, and requires a women’s health care program. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 483 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), requires a report which provides an accounting of all abortions not necessary to save the life of the mother performed in this state to be filed by with the Department of Health and Senior Services. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 515 Sponsored by Representative Wallingford, establishes the Embryo Transfer Act which authorizes the legal relinquishment and subsequent transfer of human embryos. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

SB 204 Introduced by Senator Dempsey (R), reauthorizes the pregnancy resource center tax credit. Public testimony taken in the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday.

ANIMAL RIGHTS & FAMILY FARMS

HCS HB 131 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. Voted do pass out of the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday.

HB 458 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), establishes the Missouri Farmland Trust Act to receive donated land to preserve it as farmland and provide beginning farmers an opportunity to farm through low and variable cost leases on the land. Referred to the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday.

HB 554 Sponsored by Representative Loehner (R), permits animal husbandry to be practiced by persons other than veterinarians. First read in the House on Thursday.

HJR 17 Sponsored by Representative Jason Smith (R), proposes a constitutional amendment establishing the Freedom in Agriculture Act which guarantees the right of Missourians to grow crops, hunt and fish wildlife, and raise animals in a humane manner. Public testimony taken in the House Rural Community Development Committee on Tuesday.

CRIME

HB 53 Sponsored by Representative Meadows (D), prohibits any entity that is authorized to issue traffic tickets from using an automated speed enforcement system to enforce speeding violations except in a school, construction, or work zone. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HB 207 Sponsored by Representative Meadows (D), prohibits any entity that is authorized to issue traffic tickets from using an automated red light enforcement system at any intersection within its jurisdiction except in a school, construction, or work zone. Referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 214 Sponsored by Representative Zerr (R), changes the laws regarding human trafficking. Voted do pass out of the House Crime Committee, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 247 Sponsored by Representative Kelley (R), creates the crime of false identification to a law enforcement officer. Public testimony taken in the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 276, 233 & 274 Sponsored by Representatives Franz (R), Lant (R), and Bahr (R), changes the laws regarding unlawful picketing or protesting of a funeral. Voted do pass out of the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday, and referred to the Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 413 Sponsored by Representative Keeney (R), expands the crime of making a false declaration with the purpose to mislead a public servant in the performance of his or her duty. Public testimony taken in the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

HB 504 Sponsored by Representative Silvey (R), enacts various legislative recommendations by the Attorney General’s Task Force on Domestic Violence. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.

HB 505 Sponsored by Representative Kelly (D), enacts various legislative recommendations by the Attorney General’s Task Force on Domestic Violence. First read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.

HB 512 Sponsored by Representative Lair (R), creates the crime of unlawfully intercepting computer and electronic communication device information. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 516 Sponsored by Representative Ellinger (D), prohibits any state agent from seeking the death penalty on the basis of race and permits the use of statistical evidence in certain criminal and post-conviction relief proceedings in death penalty case. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 517 Sponsored by Representative Ellinger (D), changes the law regarding clemency in death penalty cases. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 538 Sponsored by Representative Hubbard (D), prohibits the department of corrections from charging an intervention fee to inmates when they leave prison. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HB 544 Sponsored by Representative Sater (R), changes the requirements for background screenings for long-term care workers. First read in the House on Wednesday.

SB 54 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (D), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Public testimony taken in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

HB 199 Sponsored by Representative Kelley (R), specifies that a prior or persistent offender of an intoxication-related offense must perform a specified minimum number of hours of community service as an alternative to imprisonment. Public testimony taken in the House Crime Committee on Wednesday.

HB 540 Sponsored by Representative Schneider (R), creates the crime of practicing medicine while intoxicated. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HB 551 Sponsored by Representative Schieffer (D), adds bath salts or MDPV to the list of schedule I controlled substances. First read in the House on Thursday.

HB 572 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), adds bath salts to the list of schedule I controlled substances. First read in the House on Thursday.

SB 287 Introduced by Senator Ridgeway (R), creates a liquor license for wine shops to allow them to serve alcohol on Sundays. First read in the Senate on Wednesday, referred to the Senate Energy and the Environment Committee on Thursday.

EDUCATION

HB 248 Sponsored by Representative McNeil (D), authorizes an income tax deduction for 100% of tuition and fees paid for up to the last nine or 18 hours required to complete an associate or bachelor degree from a public two-year or four-year college. Public testimony taken in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 393 Sponsored by Representative Tim Jones (R), establishes the Parent Empowerment and Choice Act or the Parent Trigger Act which allows parents under certain circumstances to invoke interventions for a struggling school. Public testimony taken in the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

HB 419 Sponsored by Representative Stream (R), requires schools to implement specified criteria regarding the enrollment and educational success of foster care children. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 463 Sponsored by Representative McNary (R), allows certain schools providing virtual courses to charge nonresident tuition. Referred to the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

HB 473 Sponsored by Representative Tishaura Jones (D), changes the laws regarding charter schools and establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Second read in the House on Monday, second read on Tuesday.

HB 511 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), establishes the Every Child Can Learn Act which requires all St. Louis public schools to use a response-to-intervention tiered approach to reading instruction for certain students who are struggling. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 514 Sponsored by Representative McNeil (D), amends laws relating to unaccredited school districts and tuition and transportation costs paid to accredited schools in another district. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 543 Sponsored by Representative Fitzwater (R), requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop standards for professional improvement plans for teachers and pupils. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HB 559 Sponsored by Representative Grisamore (R), changes the laws regarding accessible electronic text material use in elementary and secondary schools. First read in the House on Thursday.

HB 576 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), creates the School Safety and School Violence Prevention Fund. First read in the House on Thursday.

HB 583 Sponsored by Representative Oxford (D), provides outreach services, educational training for child care professionals, and subsidies for early childhood programs. First read in the House on Wednesday.

SB 54 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (D), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Public testimony taken in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 130 Introduced by Senator Rupp (R), creates the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program for public high school students who graduate from high school early. Public testimony taken in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 253 Introduced by Senator Callahan (D), modifies provisions relating to summer school attendance. Second read and referred to the Senate Education Committee on Thursday.

SB 291 Introduced by Senator Pearce (R), modifies provisions relating to charter schools. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

SB 294 Introduced by Senator Keaveny (D), modifies provisions relating to charter schools. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

ELECTIONS

HCS HB 329 Sponsored by Representative Diehl (R), establishes an advance voting period and requires a voter to present an approved form of personal identification to vote at an election. Voted do pass out of the House Elections Committee on Tuesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 466 Sponsored by Representative Schoeller (R), allows a payroll deduction plan for contributions to certain electioneering activities if approved in writing by the person making the contribution. Referred to the House Workforce Committee on Monday.

HB 503 Sponsored by Representative Dugger (R), provides that presidential primaries are held in March of each presidential election year. First read in the House on Monday. Second read in the House on Tuesday.

HB 535 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), changes the laws regarding initiative petitions and referendums. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HJR 6 Sponsored by Representative Cierpiot (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot. Public testimony taken in the House Workforce Committee on Monday.

HJR 12 Sponsored by Representative Burlison (R), proposes a constitutional amendment reducing the number of members of the House of Representatives from 163 to 103 beginning with the 98th General Assembly. Public testimony taken in the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Thursday.

HJR 14 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), proposes a constitutional amendment changing the laws regarding elections by authorizing provisions relating to advance voting, voter identification, and absentee voting. Voted do pass out of the House Elections Committee on Tuesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HJR 20 Sponsored by Representative Sifton, proposes a constitutional amendment creating a two-year time-limited supermajority for repeal or amendment of a statute passed by referendum. First read in the House on Monday.

HJR 21 Sponsored by Representative Sifton, proposes a constitutional amendment placing additional voting restrictions on the General Assembly to amend or repeal any statute adopted by initiative or referendum. First read in the House on Monday.

HJR 23 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), proposes a constitutional amendment changing signature requirements regarding initiative petitions and referendums. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

SB 3 Introduced by Senator Stouffer (R), establishes photo identification requirements for voting. Perfected in the Senate, and referred to the Senate Oversight Committee on Tuesday. Third read in the Senate on Wednesday and reported to the House on Thursday.

SB 3 Sponsored by Representative Stouffer (R), establishes photo identification requirements for voting.

SB 84 Introduced by Senator Wright-Jones (D), modifies law relating to voter registration and election offenses. Voted do pass out of the Senate Elections committee on Monday.

SB 264 Introduced by Senator Rupp (R), changes congressional districts. Second read and referred to the Senate Redistricting Committee on Thursday.

SB 270 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), modifies the dates available for public elections. First read in the Senate on Monday.

SB 282 Introduced by Senator Engler (R), moves the presidential primary from February to March. First read in the Senate on Wednesday. Referred to the Senate Elections Committee on Thursday.

SJR 2 Introduced by Senator Stouffer (R), allows enabling legislation for photographic identification for voting. Perfected in the Senate on Wednesday.

FAMILY

HB 130 Sponsored by Representative Barnes (R), changes the laws regarding guardianship of an incapacitated person and authorizes Missouri to enter into the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act. Voted do pass out of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

HB 301 Sponsored by Representative Talboy (D), changes the laws regarding midwifery. Public testimony taken in the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee on Wednesday.

HB 392 Sponsored by Representative White, establishes the Adult Health Care Consent Act which provides for a priority of persons who can make health care decisions for an individual who is unable to consent to his or her own health care. Referred to the House Health Care Policy Committee on Tuesday.

HB 502 Sponsored by Representative Hubbard (D), raises the support arrearage to ten thousand dollars for a felony conviction for criminal nonsupport. First read in the House on Monday. Second read and referred to the House Crime Committee on Tuesday.

HB 555 Sponsored by Representative Grisamore (R), prohibits discrimination based on disability in termination of parental rights cases. First read in the House on Thursday.

GAMBLING

HJR 24 Sponsored by Representative Aull (D), proposes a constitutional amendment specifying who can participate in the operation of a bingo game. First read in the House on Thursday.

GOVERNMENT ETHICS & SOCIALISM

HB 508 Sponsored by Representative Carter (D), requires the development of caseload standards by the departments of Health and Senior Services and Mental Health. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HB 509 Sponsored by Representative Carter (D), specifies that certain felons must be eligible for food stamp program benefits. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

HCR 3 Sponsored by Representative Scharnhorst (R), submits to Congress a proposed federal balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution with an article 5 constitutional amendment convention. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

HCR 19 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), submits an official application by the State of Missouri for the calling of an article 5 amendment convention; proposing amendments to the United States Constitution. Voted do pass out of the House General Laws Committee, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

HJR 11 Sponsored by Representative Burlison (R), proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting appropriations in any fiscal year from exceeding certain limits. Public testimony taken in the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Thursday.

HJR 20 Sponsored by Representative Sifton (D), proposes a constitutional amendment creating a two-year time-limited supermajority for repeal or amendment of a statute passed by referendum. Second read in the House on Tuesday.

SCS SB 68 Sponsored by Representative Mayer (R), authorizes the issuance of subpoenas for the production of records by the General Assembly. Referred to the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

SB 225 Introduced by Senator Engler (R), provides for nonpartisan elections of judicial candidates and forbids certain judges and candidates from engaging in political activities. Public testimony taken in the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

SCR 10 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (R), urges Congress to adopt an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that permits the repeal of any federal law or regulation by vote of two-thirds of the state legislatures. First read in the Senate on Monday. Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday.

SJR 17 Introduced by Senator Lembke (R), modifies the selection process for certain judgeships and the composition of judicial nominating commissions. First read in the Senate on Monday.

HOMOSEXUALITY

HB 349 Sponsored by Representative Newman (D), changes the laws regarding equal employment practices. Referred to the House Workforce Committee on Tuesday.

HB 477 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.

IMMIGRATION

HB 167 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), requires Missouri driver’s examinations to only be administered in English. Voted do pass out of the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 478 Sponsored by Representative Wyatt (R), prohibits state departments from contracting with any entity that has been found guilty of or pled guilty to intentionally or willfully violating any election, tax, or immigration law of this state. Second read in the House on Monday.

HB 488 Sponsored by Representative Gatschenberger (R), requires driver’s license examinations to only be administered in English and establishes a fee for taking the written portion of the examination. Second read in the House on Monday.

SB 195 Introduced by Senator Stouffer (R), requires driver’s licenses and nondriver’s licenses issued to persons who are not United States citizens to contain a notation that the holder of such license is not a citizen of the United States. Public testimony taken in the Senate Transportation Committee On Wednesday.

PORNOGRAPHY & SEX CRIMES

HB 154 Sponsored by Representative Black (D), specifies that a prisoner who commits sexual misconduct in the second degree in the presence of a minor or a person working in a jail, prison, or correctional facility will be guilty of a class D felony. Voted do pass out of the House Corrections Committee on Wednesday.

HCS HB 214 Sponsored by Representative Zerr (R), changes the laws regarding human trafficking. Voted do pass out of the House Crime Committee, and referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 384 Sponsored by Representative Black (D), requires a person incarcerated for a sexual assault offense to successfully complete all treatment, education, and rehabilitation programs prior to being eligible for parole or conditional release. Public testimony taken in the House Corrections Committee on Wednesday.

SB 54 Introduced by Senator Cunningham (D), creates the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Public testimony taken in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 286 Introduced by Senator McKenna (D), creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. First read in the Senate on Wednesday. Referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

HCS HB 250 Sponsored by Representative Cox (R), changes the laws regarding water well regulations. Voted do pass out of the House Natural Resources Committee on Thursday.

HB 470 Sponsored by Representative Funderburk(R), exempts not-for-profit entities from paying the nonresident entertainers tax. Second read in the House on Monday, referred to the House Tax Reform Committee on Wednesday.

HJR 2 Sponsored by Representative McGhee (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen’s right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen’s right to choose any or no religion. Voted do pass out of the House Children and Families Committee on Wednesday.

HJR 10 Sponsored by Representative Barnes (R), proposes a constitutional amendment repealing the prohibition against state funds being used to support any religion or religious school and specifies that parents have the right to choose any school. Public testimony taken in the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

SB 6 Introduced by Senator Goodman (R), enacts provisions relating to faith-based community health centers. First read in the House on Tuesday.

SJR 16 Introduced by Senator Goodman (R), proposes a constitutional amendment reaffirming a citizen’s right to free expression of religion. Referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on Thursday.

SECOND AMENDMENT

HB 123 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), prohibits the sales tax on firearms or ammunition from being levied at a higher rate than for any sales tax or other excise tax charged on any sporting goods or equipment or any hunting equipment. Public testimony taken in the House General laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 125 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), allows a resident of Missouri to purchase a firearm in any state and a resident of any state to purchase a firearm in Missouri if he or she conforms to certain laws. Public testimony taken in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 271 Sponsored by Representative Burlison (R), lowers the age at which a person can obtain a concealed carry endorsement from 23 to 21 years of age. Public testimony taken in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 277 Sponsored by Representative Franz (R), requires the local offices and resident hunting and fishing permit vendors of the Department of Conservation to make a voter registration application form available to a resident permit applicant. Public testimony taken in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 294 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), lowers the age at which a person can obtain a concealed carry endorsement from 23 to 21 years of age. Public testimony taken in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 341 Sponsored by Representative Riddle (R), repeals the provisions regarding the filing of a petition for the removal of a disqualification for certain individuals from purchasing, possessing, or transferring a firearm and establishes new provisions. Public testimony taken in the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday.

HB 361 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), establishes the Missouri Firearms Freedom Act. Voted do pass out of the House General Laws Committee on Tuesday, referred to the House Rules Committee on Wednesday.

HB 537 Sponsored by Representative Leara (R), requires the sheriff or chief of police to provide, within 15 business days, all documents requested for the purchase of a firearm. First read in the House on Wednesday, second read on Thursday.

HJR 5 Sponsored by Representative Pollock (R), proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing citizens the right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions as provided by law. Public testimony taken in the House Rural Community Development Committee on Tuesday.

SB 297 Introduced by Senator Munzlinger (R), modifies laws governing how residents of Missouri and other states may purchase rifles and shotguns outside their resident states. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

SB 298 Introduced by Senator Munzlinger (R), lowers the minimum age for an applicant of a concealed carry endorsement from twenty-three to twenty-one. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

SB 300 Introduced by Senator Munzlinger (R), allows the use of handguns during the muzzleloader portion of firearms deer season. First read in the Senate on Thursday.

TAXES

HCS HB 76 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), limits the tax liability of a corporation for corporate franchise taxes to no more than $2 million annually. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

HB 408 Sponsored by Representative Koenig (R), reduces the corporate income tax rate from 6.25% to 3.125%, authorizes an additional sales tax of .4939%, and eliminates the corporate franchise tax beginning January 1, 2013. Public testimony taken in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

HB 506 Sponsored by Representative Fuhr (R), modifies provisions of law requiring certain political subdivisions to revise property tax rates. First read in the House on Tuesday.

HB 533 Sponsored by Representative Newman (D), modifies various tax provisions. First read in the House on Wednesday.

HB 571 Sponsored by Representative Faith (R), reduces the maximum penalty on delinquent county property taxes. First read in the House on Thursday.

HB 581 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. First read in the House on Thursday.

SCS SB 19 Sponsored by Senator Schmitt (R), phases-out the corporate franchise tax over a five year period. First read in the House on Tuesday, second read on Wednesday.

SCS SB 146 Introduced by Senator Schmitt (R), creates individual and corporate income tax deductions for business income. Voted do pass out of the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday.

SB 256 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), repeals certain tax credit programs. Second read and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

SB 257 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), modifies provisions of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. Second read and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

SB 258 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), relating to the historic preservation tax credit program. Second read in the referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

SB 259 Introduced by Senator Kraus (R), subjects certain tax credit programs to sunsets. Second read and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

VETERANS

HB 238 Sponsored by Representative Kander (D), allows a spouse of an active member of the United States Armed Forces or reservist on active duty to be eligible for unemployment benefits if accompanying the military spouse in the event of a military move. Referred to the House Workforce Committee on Tuesday.

HCS HB 303 Sponsored by Representative Day (R), requires any state agency or board that regulates an occupation or profession to establish rules for the issuance of a courtesy license to a nonresident spouse of certain active duty military members. Voted do pass out of the House Veterans Committee on Tuesday.

HCR 11 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (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. Public testimony taken in the House Tourism Committee on Thursday.

OTHER

HCS HB 61 Sponsored by Representative Nolte (R), prohibits the state minimum wage from exceeding the federal minimum wage. Reported do pass out of the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

HB 71 Sponsored by Representative Nasheed (D), allows the City of St. Louis to establish and maintain a municipal police force completely under the city’s authority. Perfected on the House Floor on Thursday.

SB 28 Introduced by Senator Brown (R), exempts motorcyclists age 21 and older from wearing a helmet when operating a motorcycle or motortricycle. Reported out of the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday.