Davis: Southwest Missouri Artists Day at Capitol

Yet another week has come and another week has gone and it seems like there is so much more to do with so little time left. We only have 4 weeks left this session and time sure flew by. This past week was a great week with some important pieces of legislation passed.

We has Southwest Missouri Arts Day at the capitol this past Wednesday and there were 16 different individuals showing off the art and their talent. We have some wonderful artists in our area [bottom left] and I was so proud to have them at the capitol to represent our neck of the woods. Alex Davis [top left] came from my district and showed off his Native American art. Alex is from the Seneca Tribe. He spends many months on different reservations and other Native American lands studying nature and painting what he sees. It was a blessing to have my friend in Jefferson City.

Third Readings means that it now passed out of the house and is on its way to the Senate. Truly Agreed and Finally Passed (TAFP) are bills passed out of the House, passed by the Senate and now will be going to the Governor for his signature after it is TAFP.

Third Readings

HB 305 establishing the 2011 State Employee Retirement Incentive Program, was third read and passed. This legislation incentivizes eligible state employees to retire. It helps minimize state worker layoffs and promotes the retirement of long-term employees thereby opening up positions for individuals seeking new employment.

HB 300, in conjunction with HBs 334 and 387, sponsored Rep. Jay Barnes (R-114), and Rep. Zach Wyatt (R-2), respectively, was third read and passed. These bills provide clear guidelines and procedures surrounding brain injuries sustained by our young athletes during training and competition. The goal is to improve outcomes and minimize the possibility of aggravating an existing injury.

At right: My friend and Colleague Chuck Gatschenberger during a demonstration on Youth Sports Brain Injuries.

HCS HJR 3, sponsored by Rep. Tom Loehner (R-112), was third read and passed by a vote of 120 to 35. This resolution calls for amending the Missouri Constitution to solidify the right of Missouri farmers to raise their livestock without the state imposing any undue burdens or regulations. Agri-business IS the number one industry in the State of Missouri. As the member of a family with deep farming roots all over our State (and very proud of the fact that the “Jones Family Farm” remains in the family) I was very proud to support this bill on the House Floor. If you like to eat, then you are a supporter of HCS HJR 3!

HB 291, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Denison (R-135), was third read and passed by the overwhelming vote of 149 to 4. This bill will require window stickers to show current motor vehicle registration instead of license plate tabs. The current system of placing stickers on your license plates would be phased out and replaced with a window sticker system. With interior stickers, the incidence of theft will be greatly diminished; saving the state time and money by not having to replace them.

HCS HB 840, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Jones (R-117), was third read and passed by a vote of 142 to 14. This bill establishes the Aerotropolis Trade Incentive and Tax Credit Act to encourage foreign trade by authorizing the St. Louis City Mayor or the executive officer of certain counties to designate a gateway zone. This will help increase international business trade by encouraging the establishment of a hub for international trade routes at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. This can only positively impact the economy and create needed jobs for Missourians.

HCR 37, sponsored by Rep. Diane Franklin (R-155), was third read and passed. This resolution gives recognition of every third week of June as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Week.

HCS #2 HB 609, sponsored by Rep. Chris Molendorp (R-123), was third read and passed. This bill would establish Missouri’s health insurance exchange. The “Show-Me Health Insurance Exchange Act” places Missouri in compliance with one of the numerous federal mandates imposed on the states in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). Because our Governor has refused to request a waiver for Missouri from ObamaCare, either we establish an exchange or the federal government will create one and force it upon us. As written into PPACA, non-compliance would result in further federal encroachment into what should be state business so it was appropriate for us to create what would be best for Missouri and protect our state sovereignty.

HCS HB 111, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118), was third read and passed. This bill relates to changes in judicial procedures and touches on a variety of issues. For more information about HCS HB 111, visit www.house.mo.gov.

HCS HBs 223 & 231, sponsored by Rep. Wayne Wallingford (R-158) and Rep. Mike Thomson (R-4), respectively, were third read and passed. HCS HB 223 establishes the Nursing Education Incentive Program and authorizes a nonrenewable advanced placement grant to any recipient of financial aid under the A+ Schools or Access Missouri programs. HCS HB 231 requires the Department of Higher Education to make available a nonrenewable advanced placement grant of $500 to certain recipients of financial aid under the A+ Schools or Access Missouri programs.

HCS HB 430, sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-136), was third read and passed. This bill deals with the laws regarding special license plates, municipal streets, traffic light change interval times, and household goods motor carrier regulations.

HB 591, sponsored by Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-157), was third read and passed. This bill authorizes the Missouri Dental Board to issue a limited teaching license to a dentist employed as an instructor in an accredited dental school located in this state.

HCS HB 407, sponsored by Rep. Paul Wieland (R-102), was third read and passed. This bill would prohibit a person from preparing or issuing a certificate of insurance form unless it has been filed with the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration.

HB 211, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Koenig (R-88), was third read and passed. This would prohibit the Department of Health and Senior Services from enforcing or enacting a rule or regulation relating to lead abatement that is stricter than those required by federal law.

HB 257, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118), was third read and passed. This would repeal the provisions regarding the Sentencing Advisory Commission. Sentencing should be based on the case at hand and not the average sentencing of other cases.

HCS HB 697, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith (R-150), was third read and passed. This bill would specify 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.

HCS HB 555, sponsored by Rep. Grisamore (R-47), was third read and passed. This bill deals with the laws regarding individuals with disabilities.

HCS HB 464, sponsored by Rep. Cole McNary (R-86), was third read and passed. This bill would eliminate, combine, and revise certain state boards, commissions, committees, and councils; and change the laws regarding articles of incorporation by business entities.

HB 357, sponsored by Rep. Mike Leara (R-95), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This bill deals with the laws regarding enhanced enterprise zones.