Torpey: Midterm Break Begins

A Special Note

This coming week (March 18-27) the General Assembly will be on legislative Spring Break. I will happily be back in district to spend more time with my family, and visit constituents in the 52nd District. I encourage you to attend my legislative forum, held with Senator Will Kraus, on Thursday, March 24th at 7 pm, at the Genealogy Center on Lee's Summit Road (see below for more information).

If you need anything from me during this week, please continue to call my office and you will be patched in to me, or my legislative aide Amanda. Also, I will be checking my email on a constant basis, so I will be able to get back with you as soon as possible. Have a great weekend, and make sure to enjoy this beautiful weather!

2011 Legislative Session continues

The House heard many bills this week, but we focused a lot of time and energy on a few bills.

First, House Bill 213, sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones, specifies that no late-term abortion of a viable unborn child can be performed or induced except in certain specified situations, such as the mother's life being in danger. I am very passionate about this issue and was proud to vote in favor of this bill. I will always work to protect the life of an unborn child. This bill was third read and passed. To find more information on this legislation, and to follow as it goes to the Senate, visit the bill's web page here.

Second, HJR 29, sponsored by Rep. Sheila Solon, 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. I was very happy to see this resolution third read and passed with over-whelming numbers, and proud that I chose to co-sponsor this legislation. This will definitely assist in keeping veterans homes open long term. To find more information on this legislation, and to follow as it goes to the Senate, visit the bill's web page here.

For more information on this week's legislation, voting break-downs, and more, please consult the House Journals.

Committees

Small Business met on Wednesday of this week to discuss three bills, and vote on one bill. HB 403, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom, will allow a landlord to file a claim in a small claims court for the ejectment of a tenant in order to obtain possession of the premises. HB 322, sponsored by Rep. Rochelle Walton Gray, will allow 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. HB 644, sponsored by Rep. Ed Schieffer, will prohibit a person or business from misrepresenting its geographic location by using a fictitious or assumed business name in a telephone directory or advertisement. The committee voted on HB 386, sponsored by Rep. Bob Nance, will increase the amount in controversy from less than $3,000 to less than $5,000 for a case where the judge of a small claims court will have original jurisdiction. This bill passed committee with a 16-1 vote.

Downsizing State Government also met on Wednesday to hear two bills. HB 657, sponsored by Rep. Sue Allen, would require the State Auditor to conduct a one-time comparative audit of at least five but no more than 10 of the largest state agencies to review fiscal practices and to identify cost-saving measures. HB 697, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, specifies that any administrative rule proposed, adopted, or amended by a state agency after August 28, 2011, must automatically terminate six years after its effective date.

Fiscal Review met on Wednesday as well, and heard four fiscal notes for four bills. HCS HB 89, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock, changes the laws regarding deposits into the State Park Earnings Fund, notice requirements of the Clean Water Commission, and certain water pollution control fees. This bill passed committee with an 11-0 vote. HB 431, sponsored by Rep. Ward Franz, 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. This bill also passed committee with an 11-0 vote. HJR 29, sponsored by Rep. Sheila Solon, 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. I co-sponsored this bill, and was happy to see it pass committee with an 11-0 vote. Finally, HJR 6, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cierpiot, proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot. This passed committee with a 7-4 vote, of which I voted yes.

For more information on these bills, or any that have been filed in the Missouri House of Representatives, please visit the House Bill information page by clicking here.

Word of the Week

Often in the General Assembly, we amend and change original bills in order to make them more fitting to become law. Most bills get amendments added in the committee process, or on the floor, and are simply added into the bill (or something is removed from the bill). However, some bills are amended in their entirety while in committee, and this is what we call a House Committee Substitute for a House Bill (i.e. HCS HB 000).Defined more clearly, a House Committee Substitute is a bill offered by a committee in lieu of another bill that was originally referred to the committee for consideration; technically, the committee substitute is an amendment to the original bill.

In Other News

On Thursday, March 24th, Senator Will Kraus and I will be holding an open Legislative Forum for our constituents of the 52nd House District and the 8th Senatorial District. The event will be held at the Midwest Genealogy Center (3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055) from 7 to 9 pm. We very much look forward to speaking with you and answering your questions. Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions about this event. If you would like to learn more about the Genealogy Center, visit the website by clicking HERE.

Also, do not forget to RSVP for the first annual 52nd District Day by March 30th in order to secure your spot. I look forward to hosting you here in the Missouri House of Representatives!