Sater: Bills Concerning Proposition B, Nuclear Energy Draw Attention

Ed. Note: The bill described in the second paragraph is House Bill 124, not SB124. SB124 concerns the mandatory schooling age for children in St. Louis City.

Things are starting to roll a little faster now at the Capitol. Most committees have met and bills are being presented. The Agriculture Policy Committee had the most people in the audience which is unusual, but a bill [HB131] being presented by Rep. Stanley Cox makes adjustments to Proposition B. This bill may be the hottest issue of the year. This bill adjusts, but does not repeal of Prop B. Adjustments such as the number of dogs a breeder could have, the temperature regulations, and space areas were some of the items in the bill. I do believe that this or a similar bill will make it through rather than a complete repeal.

Another bill with some controversy is SB 124. This legislation deals with a proposed nuclear power plant and a 40 million dollar state permit that is required. This permit gives the electric company, Ameren UE, the right to do the groundwork necessary for the construction of the plant. The electric company would like to increase electric rates by around 2 dollars per year per customer to pay for the 40 million dollar permit. However, Ameren needs legislative authority to charge the extra 2 dollars per year. With the feds increasing requirements of coal powered electric plants and the continuing raise of electric costs, nuclear power can be a benefit for our state in keeping electric rates affordable.

One of the items of interest to legislators this year is what redistricting will do to each legislative district. Every 10 years when the census is taken, a bipartisan commission is set up to determine representative and senate district boundaries. I would suspect that District 68 boundaries will shrink because of increased population, but where the boundary lines will be in the future is unknown. This also applies to our Senate district which includes, McDonald, Lawrence, Barry, Stone, Taney and Ozark counties. I am sure there will be some changes to the Senatorial district also. We should know more in a month or so.

The Health Care Policy Committee meets every Wednesday at 12 noon for at least 2 hours. This week we heard two bills and we went into executive session on one of them. During executive session amendments can be offered, or a bill can be voted upon. A roll call vote is taken and the bill either passes out or “dies in committee.” HB 196 which extends the Missouri Rx Program was heard yesterday. This program for those over 65 has been in existence for the last 5 years, and helps low income seniors pay part of the co-pays that occur under the Medicare - Part D Program. It also pays half of the cost when in the donut hole. This program had a sunset of 5 years and this was a reauthorization of the program for another 5 years. It passed without dissent and the bill will be sent to the House Clerk’s office to be placed on the House Calendar for the entire House to consider.

This session will be my next to last because of term limits. I will continue to represent you to the best of my ability. Thank you for your confidence.