Halftime is over. The House has completed the budget process. It's the time of year when we start to see which legislation will come to define our legislative session.
As Chairman of the Committee on Renewable Energy, my session has been consumed by trying to work out a compromise on Prop C implementation. I am still hopeful for a solution, but it hasn't been easy. The next few days will decide if the progress we have made to build a coalition around the legislative fix will gel. Make no mistake, to summit Mnt Senate it will take a near unanimous shirpa team to carry HB 613 to the top.
Included in this newsletter is part two of my legislative platform. In the lower section of the publication I have assembled a few articles published by the Missouri House Communications team.
Legislation moves through the process based on a variety of factors such as immediate need, cost of the fiscal note and political considerations. There are bills I file knowing in advance that the state is not in a position to adopt the measure. But each piece of legislation I sponsor has a reason and an intended outcome to benefit Missourians.
If you have any questions about any of these bills please do not hesitate to ask. It is an honor to serve you in our state capitol.
Jason Holsman
Solar Water System Incentive
House Bill 622 will establish the Solar Water Heating System Incentive Program to provide financial incentives for the purchase and installation of solar water heating systems in private residences. Subject to appropriations, the Department of Natural Resources must provide and administer the incentives.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 622
Abuse of the Internet and Criminal Cyber Defamation
HB 948 was filed in response to Governor Jay Nixon's call to address the damage capability of anonymous cyber assassins on the internet. The legislation is adapted from a current Kansas Statute to apply to electronic communications.
The internet has changed politics. The shift in attention from main street media to political blog sites has opened a new avenue for opponents to anonymously defame the rival campaign. We have laws in the state which require a "paid for by" for all political mail, radio, phone, television and print media. These laws exist to protect candidates from malicious defamation without there being a level of responsibility for the statements. Keep in mind that a candidate is not an elected official until the race is over.
Many internet records live in cyber perpetuity and are easily accessible through search engines. If we can't protect our candidates from libelous hatred then the quality of candidate will continue to decrease as average citizens won't want to expose themselves or family to public ridicule and humiliation.
There are websites on the internet where our young adults are being intentionally defamed like it is a sport. Photos of college students are taken from their social network profiles and published on websites with the intent to destroy the person's character.
As a father of two, I dedicate my life to building my children's self worth and I will not sit idly by while some anonymous hate monger targets to emotionally harm our kids.
There are many supporters of this legislation in the House, but I chose to file it alone knowing that I am making myself a target of those whom I wish to regulate. Protecting our kids is worth their attempt at my personal humiliation.
For more informaton about the bill: House Bill 948
Industrial Hemp Freedom Act
House Bill 620 will define "industrial hemp" as cannabis sativa L. containing no greater than 1% tetrahydrocanabinols (THC) and exempts it from the varieties of cannabis that are classified as controlled substances. Any person who has not been convicted of a felony offense or misdemeanor drug-related offense may legally grow and cultivate industrial hemp.
To read more about the benefits of hemp: Hemp Information
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 620
Preschool Plus Grant Program
House Bill 389 increases the number of students to be served by the Missouri Preschool Plus Grant Program from up to 1,250 to up to 6,250 and expands potential grantees to include the Kansas City School District.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 389
High School Dropout Prevention Seminars
House Bill 621, beginning with school year 2012-2013, will require a student who is older than the district's compulsory school age and who wants to drop out of high school to attend a dropout prevention seminar. School districts must offer the seminars based on requirements established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 621
Not for Profit KidCare Co-op Program
House Bill 390, subject to appropriations, will establish a public option, nonprofit health insurance cooperative, the KidCare Co-op Program, within the Department of Social Services to provide affordable health insurance to all children regardless of income through 18 years of age.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 390
Renewable Energy Prop. C Fix
House Bill 613 will repeal and re-establish provisions regarding the renewable energy standard including standards recently enacted by Proposition C in 2008.
The legislation has gone through 19 drafts and four hearings. I hesitate to publish a link to the bill because the online version is draft #1. The current HCS looks nothing like this bill, but to give you an idea of what we are working on here is draft 1 of 19, we will release draft 20 on Monday.
For more information on the bill: House Bill 613
Capital Green Legislation and Tour
This past month members of the Committee on Renewable Energy joined staff from Office of Administration along with House Chief Clerk Adam Crubliss to tour the deferred maintenance of the Capitol.
The Capitol is in bad shape. Roofs leak, stairs are crumbling and the amount of energy wasted is staggering. There are literally close to 100 million dollars of improvements necessary to restore the energy efficiency of the building.
However, we can offset a portion of demand with onsite clean renewable energy with a 5 million dollar investment. The project would create short term construction jobs and save the state money into perpetuity. The investment also helps maintain the continuity of government in times of power shortage.
House Bill 839 will establish the Capital Green Program thereby creating a fund, subject to appropriations, in order to provide funding for energy efficiency improvements and installation of renewable energy generation systems including geothermal,wind and solar energy resources.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 839
Military Area Night Sky Protection Act
House Bill 611 will establish the Night Sky Protection Act to reduce the amount of light emitted into the night sky to near natural levels for designated military training areas. The Air Conservation Commission within the Department of Natural Resources must develop voluntary guidelines to achieve specified reduction rates starting in 2025.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 611
Nurses for Newborns
House Bill 391 will add home nursing visits for newborn infants including follow-up care as needed until an infant's second birthday for certain at-risk newborns to the list of covered services under the MO HealthNet Program. The Mo HealthNet Division within the Department of Social Services is required to request the appropriate waivers or state plan amendments from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide these services.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 391
Class Size Reduction Act
House Bill 612 will establish smaller class size for the Kansas City School District than the minimum and desirable standards established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The legislation takes the number from 33 to 23 students per class.
For more information and to read the Bill: House Bill 612
Clean Election Legislation
The influence of money in politics will never go away entirely. Like water money finds and flows through the cracks. But the option for a publicly financed candidate would help balance the power of the legislature between special interests and the people. No candidate can afford to unilaterally disarm without the resources available to win an election.
Red Bridge Elementary Visits Capitol
On March 8th, Red Bridge Elementary 4th grade classes loaded the bus and headed to Jefferson City. During the visit they toured the Capitol, Supreme Court Building and Governor's Mansion. It is always a special visit because my wife Robyn teaches 4th grade at Red Bridge and leads the field trip. I am also appreciate of the other teachers and parents who made the trip possible. The Center Foundation raises money every year to pay for the buses and other expenses of the trip.
Robotics Championship
I took both my kids to the robotics championship at the Hale Arena in KC. All of my school districts competed. Great job by students from Grandview, Ruskin, Center and Barstow. I was amazed at the turnout, excitement and economic activity the event brought to Kansas City.
House Approves State Budget for Fiscal Year 2012
Jefferson City - The Missouri House gave approval Wednesday to the 13 appropriations bills that make up the fiscal year 2012 state operating budget. Jonathan Lorenz reports from the state Capitol.
Good Job to Budget Chair Ryan Silvey (R-NKC) and Ranking Member Sarah Lampe (D-Springfield)
Watch Here
House Redistricting Committee Unveils Proposed Congressional District Map
The House Special Standing Committee on Redistricting held two hearings this week to discuss legislation that would redraw the boundaries for Missouri's congressional districts. At Wednesday's hearing, Rep. John J. Diehl, Jr., who chairs the committee, unveiled a proposed map for the consideration of the committee's members. The committee is responsible for drawing a new map that has eight congressional districts rather than nine, as Missouri will lose a congressional seat based on 2010 Census data.
The proposed congressional redistricting map is available at the following link:
View Here
House Leaders Discuss First Half of 2011 Session
Leaders from both sides of the aisle held press conferences Thursday to discuss the first half of the 2011 legislative session and the issues they will address when House members return from their annual Spring Break.Click Here
At left: This photo was taken in 2008 and even before Mike Talboy (D-KC) and Steven Tilley (R-Perryville) became Minority Floor Leader and Speaker of the House they agreed to disagree, respectfully. Click the link to watch their dueling press conferences.
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