Kelley: Visit From Turkish MPs,

At right: International Trade Committee meeting with Members of the Turkish Parliament

Massive tornadic systems stomped and marched across most of the Nation’s mid-section this week bringing with it revolving torrents of icy hail, powerful driving rains and mighty winds. Beneath the Capitol Dome, legislative storms built in ominous clouds as the stresses and tensions of a long Session began to play out in deliberative, passionate and stern debate on the House Floor…

“I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can't be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort.” –Calvin Coolidge

Third Reading & Final House Passage

The following bills were given final approval by the House and sent to the Senate for further consideration.
For more information regarding any specific piece of legislation, please visit www.house.mo.gov.

HB 656, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom (R-160), was third read and passed. Payday loans companies remain an important avenue for those unable to otherwise secure loans and make ends meet. This bill provides greater protections for both the consumer and the payday loan industry.

HCS HJR 5, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146), was third read and passed. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing citizens the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditionally approved devices or methods. Recent activities by extreme animal activist groups, who come from outside the State of Missouri, suggest a continued assault on this very basic aspect of American culture and the livelihood of many Missourians. This resolution would solidify these rights in our Missouri Constitution and put this issue to rest.

HB 661, sponsored by Rep. Don Wells (R-147), was third read and passed. This bill relates to the laws governing debt adjusters. Not only will this bill secure Missouri compliance to federal regulations, but provides greater protections for debt service consumers.

HB 1008, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Long (R-134), was third read and passed. This bill improves the efficiency in the working relationship between private developers and public entities by increasing finance flexibility with respect to highway development projects.

HB 708, sponsored by Rep. Paul Curtman (R-105), was third read and passed. This bill changes the laws regarding violations of public policy of Missouri when decisions are based on foreign law or legal code. The purpose of this legislation is to guarantee that Missourians receive all the rights afforded to them under the Missouri and US Constitutions. Over the past few decades, technological advances have increased international mobility. At the same time, there has been liberal adherence to our nation’s immigration laws, and a clear intellectual push for multiculturalism in America. The result has been a destruction of the melting pot analogy of American culture in which immigrants desired integration into our culture (truly wish to become US citizens). I am all for legal immigration and believe multiculturalism and cultural awareness are extremely positive for our country. However, governing the people of the State of Missouri, based upon foreign laws and legal codes, crosses the line and results in inconsistent and unequal justice.

HCS HB 828, sponsored by Rep. Barney Fisher (R-125), was third read and passed. This bill revises the definition of "construction" as it relates to prevailing wages on public works projects and abrogates the ruling in Utility Service Co., Inc. v. Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Construction,” under the new definition, includes; new construction, enlargement, and major alterations. Paying prevailing wage for simple repair and repaint jobs drains needed resources and can result in needed repair and repaint jobs being put off for economic reasons.

Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed

This legislation has been passed by both the House and the Senate and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
For more information regarding any specific piece of legislation, please visit www.house.mo.gov.

SS SCS HCS HB 14 was truly agreed to and finally passed by the vote off 150 to 0. This appropriations bill provides funding for supplemental purposes in state departments and offices.

Congressional Redistricting Update

As many of you are aware, it is the duty of the General Assembly to complete the task of Congressional Redistricting, every ten years, following the national census. The House and Senate Redistricting Committees have been working hard on this task for many months, which has been made more difficult due to the fact that Missouri must reduce its Congressional Districts from nine to eight. The Missouri House has worked especially hard on completing and preparing a Congressional Map that meets all of the legal requirements and did pass a map out of the House with a large overwhelming and bipartisan vote many weeks ago. The Senate also passed a version of a map and then finally agreed to conference on the maps to come up with an alternative compromise map. The House has now also passed a compromise version of the map but unfortunately, our State Senate has been unable to come to any agreement so the matter remains “on hold”. We will continue working on this very difficult and challenging issue as the Session quickly speeds towards its final days.

Unemployment Benefits for Missouri’s Unemployed

The Missouri Senate finally passed a bill [HB163] that will allow Missouri to receive federal funding for extended unemployment benefits. Currently, the Missouri Department of Labor pays unemployment claims with tax money collected from Missouri Businesses. The department is responsible for the first 26 weeks of unemployment and then the federal government picks up the bill for the remaining 53 weeks. What the Senate passed allows the State of Missouri to use federal stimulus money for the funding of an additional 20 weeks of unemployment compensation. The bill would also reduce the number of weeks the Missouri Department of Labor would pay unemployment to 20 weeks; at which point an extension would be filed with the federal government for continued support if unemployment has continued. We, in the House of Representatives, are doing everything we can to pass common sense legislation which supports growth of the business community in Missouri. In this way, extensions of unemployment benefits become a non-issue. We must make it easier to do business in Missouri so economic growth occurs in Missouri and Missourians in need of work can find it.

If you know anyone who would be interested in receiving this Capitol Report, they can click the “Capitol Report Signup” button on my member home page at www.house.mo.gov and enter the appropriate information to receive the Capitol Report. As the days grow a great deal longer under the Capitol Dome, we want to encourage you to keep up with the flurry of legislative activity.