Tim Jones: Huge Victories On Congressional Redistricting, Budget

At right: With Phantoms of the Lego Team: Jordan Pack, Michael Colletti, Catherine Colletti and Jaime Pack, all from Wildwood.

As the rains continued their drenching torrent over the weekend and floodwaters rose, many of us across the State watched warily as creeks and rivers became engorged with rising floodwaters. Late week sunshine brought a welcome respite as the activity in the Capitol Dome increased to ever heightened levels of tension and concern. Huge victories emerged in Congressional Redistricting and the Budget as Session marched unerringly towards its final two weeks…

“Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere.” –Abraham Lincoln

Third Reading & Final House Passage

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

HCS HB 562, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Grisamore (R-47), was third read and passed unanimously. This bill changes the laws regarding the Missouri Children's Services Commission and establishes the Missouri Task Force on Prematurity and Infant Mortality. The added membership will provide greater opportunity for meaningful work to be accomplished for the children of Missouri.

HCS HB 664, sponsored by Rep. Mike Leara (R-95), was third read and passed unanimously. This bill changes the laws regarding the Firemen's Retirement System of St. Louis. By changing the method the actuaries use to calculate the amount of annual contribution required from the city from the current fixed initial liability method to the entry age normal funding method, St. Louis City will save money.

HCS HB 579, sponsored by Rep. Keith Frederick (R-149), was third read and passed unanimously. This bill changes the laws regarding fees for medical records, hospital licensure, MO HealthNet dental benefits, and the Missouri Rx Plan and authorizes permanent sickle cell disease standing committees.

HCS HB 366, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Silvey (R-38), was third read and passed by the overwhelming majority of 136 to 8. This bill changes the laws regarding economic development. By offering tax incentives for the development and expansion of technology business facilities, data storage centers, and server farm facilities, we will improve the job outlook for Missourians.

HCS HBs 600, 337, and 413, sponsored by Rep. Rodney Schad (R-115), was third read and passed. These bills change the laws regarding public safety, prohibit all drivers, regardless of age, from text messaging while operating a moving vehicle unless the device being used is equipped with technology allowing for voice-recognition hands-free texting, and expand the crime of making a false declaration with the purpose to mislead a public servant in the performance of his or her duty, respectively.

HCS HB 161, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118), was third read and passed by the overwhelming majority of 127 to 24. This would authorize Pettis County, upon local voter approval, to change its transient guest tax from $2 per room, per night to up to 5% and increases the number of members on the Pettis County Tourism Commission. Local control for local decisions is the purpose of this enabling legislation.

HCS HB 523, sponsored by Rep. Chris Molendorp (R-123), was third read and passed by the overwhelming majority of 139 to 8. This bill changes the laws regarding the Missouri Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act, insurance coverage for portable electronics, and residential and home warranty service contracts.

HCS HB 473, sponsored by Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-63), was third read and passed. This bill establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission and regulates the operation of public charter schools in certain districts. The purpose is to provide options to students and help improve school district performance. We have finally moved forward in a positive, proactive, substantive way to truly place parents in charge of their children’s education, to advance serious education reforms and to address the true problems facing public education in a positive way.

HCS HB 773, sponsored by Rep. Don Gosen (R-84), was third read and passed. This bill changes the laws regarding the regulation of surplus lines insurance to comply with the federal Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010.

HCS HB 787, sponsored by Rep. Don Wells (R-147), was third read and passed. This bill changes the laws regarding early distributions from certain annuities or retirement plans, the Missouri Higher Education Saving Program and residential mortgage loan brokers.

HCS SB 161, sponsored by Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-3), was third read and passed. The current regulations allow for loans to be generated for the purchase or improvement of agricultural property. This legislation would allow for the generation of loans for the purchase, expansion, or improvement of an actual agribusiness, not just agricultural property.

HCS SCS SB 366, sponsored by Rep. John Diehl (R-87), was third read and passed by the vote of 146 to 6. This legislation creates cooperative associations and modifies the law relating to the conversion of certain business organizations.

HCS HB 552, sponsored by Rep. Chris Molendorp (R-123), was third read and passed. This legislation facilitates the establishment of rules governing the standard of care for pharmacies dispensing blood clotting therapies. This standard is already being met by specialty pharmacies and the legislation has the purpose of making these standards law.

HCS HB 597, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146), was third read and passed. This bill establishes the Private Landowner Protection Act which allows for the creation and enforcement of conservation easements to protect the environment and preserve certain historical or cultural property. The landowner and the grantee of the easement would be required to enter into a contract.

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 45, as amended, sponsored by Rep. Denny Hoskins (R-121), was truly agreed to and finally passed by a vote of 127 to 24. This bill changes the laws regarding the Big Government Get Off My Back Act and provides additional incentives for responsible businesses that provide health benefits to those new, full-time employees. In particular, a $10,000 tax incentive for each new full-time job created or a $20,000 incentive for each new full-time job created when the business offers health insurance and pays at least 50% of the premiums of all full-time employees. The bill also seeks to limit and reduce the amount of regulations that Government forces onto small businesses that simply cause them to spend time doing paperwork instead of growing their enterprise. This bill is a positive step in the direction of strengthening Missouri small businesses.

Congressional Redistricting Update

Most importantly this week, the House and the Senate finally agreed to a final compromise map to complete the constitutional duty of the State Legislature in drafting eight new Congressional Districts for our State. 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. After weeks of stalemate and tense negotiations, a valuable compromise was finally reached and late last night, both Chambers passed a final proposed map with overwhelming majorities in support. The bill [HB193] is now headed to the Governor’s desk for approval. It is our request to the Governor that he immediately sign the map and heed the work that the Legislature did and not force this issue to go to the Courts and be decided by unelected judges. This is a serious matter that affects every single person in the State, hundreds of hours of time went into the process and the final product is a fair, compact, contiguous map that is good for all of the citizens of our State.

The Missouri Solution: Reaching a Complete Compromise Regarding Proposition B

Also yesterday, the Missouri House led the way in approving a final piece of legislation that has resolved the Proposition B issue for nearly all of the stakeholders involved. After weeks of negotiations, in which I participated and which were led by Representative Tom Loehner, we successfully passed SB 161 which EVERY MISSOURI GROUP involved in this debate signed off on. The groups representing animal rights, animal agriculture, dog breeders, the Governor’s office and agencies and many others, finally all came together on a good, solid, constitutionally defensible piece of legislation that is fair to all. The consensus from both sides of the issue was that leaving the fix to Prop B alone (SB 113) would result in a solution that did not satisfy the majority of those involved. That is why we continued to work towards the ultimate compromise, known as The Missouri Solution, contained in SB161. As I mentioned, every Missouri based group, on all sides of this issue, came together, signed an open, mutual letter urging the General Assembly to take this final action. I was very happy to be a part of this solution which finally puts this issue to rest for the Session. I want to thank all involved for all the hard work they did and for not resting until the best bill was passed, legislation good for the entire State of Missouri.

Michelle Moore Needs Your Help

Michelle Moore is a great friend and colleague back in the St. Louis region. We found out that she is projected to be on the kidney donor wait list for 3 years. Do you know someone who can help? Please visit http://www.atraditionallifelived.com and/or http://twitter.com/Michelle_Moore for more information. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING TESTED FOR DONATING YOUR KIDNEY TO MICHELLE, PLEASE CALL 314-362-5365 OR 800-633-9906 - OPTION 2 - BEFORE APRIL 25TH.

Visiting the Capitol

I always enjoy it when constituents visit the Capitol and want to thank all who make the journey. If you ever find yourself in or around Jefferson City at any time during the year, please feel free to visit us! Stop by the Majority Leader’s Office in Room 302 and we will be happy to meet and greet you!

Personal News & Notes

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.

As the Session moves speedily towards its end, the days do continue to grow longer and are filled with ever increasing tension and stress. During these most trying days of Session, I remain ever thankful to my entire Capitol staff, Jody, Tom and Tad, for continuing to deal with me on a daily basis! I also am ever grateful to the folks who continue to patiently await my complete “return home” and who keep everything running smoothly in my absence, Suzanne, Katie and Abby at the homestead, and of course, my great partners and colleagues at my law firm of DosterUllom, LLC. Finally, if we can ever be of any assistance to you at your State Capitol, do not hesitate to contact us at: 573.751.0562 or you can reach my primary assistant, Jody, at: jody{dot}williams{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.

Until our next update, I am, and remain, in your service.