Tim Jones: Majority Minute: Floor Action Reaches Rhythmic Pace

Warming breezes and sunnier skies carried us back to mid-Missouri to begin the final five weeks of Session. The activity on the House Floor has reached a steady, rhythmic pace as we diligently work through the legislation that has succeeded in vaulting all the procedural hurdles and made it to the Floor calendar…

Today in the House: Monday, April 11, 2011

House Joint Resolutions for Third Reading

HCS HJR 3, sponsored by Rep. Tom Loehner (R-112), was third read today. This resolution calls for amending the Missouri Constitution to affirm the right of Missouri farmers to raise livestock without the state imposing any undue and burdensome regulations on them.

House Bills for Perfection

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

Later this Week: TENTATIVE

House Joint Resolutions for Perfection

HCS HJR 5, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This resolution calls for amending the Missouri Constitution to guarantee the rights of Missourians to hunt, fish, and otherwise harvest wildlife in the traditional fashion without unreasonable restriction from prohibitive laws. Recent activity in the state has given rise to the necessity of having these rights constitutionally guaranteed.

HCS HJR 8, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Koenig (R-88), is scheduled to be perfected this week. Upon approval by the voters, this would amend the state constitution and change our tax system to a consumption tax. In this way, prosperity can no longer be penalized by the current inequality woven into our graduated regressive tax system; instead consumers are taxed on consumption. This philosophical change in our tax system would support growth in Missouri’s economy and would greatly support Missouri small businesses and families and remove unnecessary burdens of excessive, complicated taxation. More economic freedom for all would arguably follow. We should be promoting and encouraging success and prosperity; not discouraging and penalizing.

House Bills for Perfection

HCS HBs 223 & 231, sponsored by Rep. Wayne Wallingford (R-158), and Rep. Thomson, respectively, were perfected today. 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 407, sponsored by Rep. Paul Wieland (R-102), is scheduled to be perfected this week. 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.

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

HCS HB 555, sponsored by Rep. Grisamore (R-47), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This bill deals with the laws regarding individuals with disabilities.

HB 591, sponsored by Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-157), is scheduled to be perfected this week. 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 697, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith (R-150), is scheduled to be perfected this week. 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.

HB 211, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Koenig (R-88), is scheduled to be perfected this week. 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), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This would repeal the provisions regarding the Sentencing Advisory Commission.

HB 305, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger (R-13), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This bill establishes the 2011 State Employee Retirement Incentive Program.

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.

HB 656, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom (R-160), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This bill changes the laws regarding unsecured loans of $500 or less, commonly known as payday loans.

HB 661, sponsored by Rep. Don Wells (R-147), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This bill changes the laws regarding debt adjusters.

HCS HB 473, sponsored by Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-63), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This bill establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission and regulates the operation of public charter schools in certain districts. The idea is to give options to students and help improve school district performance.

House Bills for Third Reading

HB 291, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Denison (R-135), requires window stickers to show current motor vehicle registration instead of license plate tabs. Basically, the current system of placing stickers on your license plates would be fazed out and replaced with a window sticker system. Because the stickers are placed in the interior, the state will save time and money by not having to replace stolen plate stickers. This bill received overwhelming final House passage.

HCS HB 840, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Jones (R-117), 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 bill will help increase international business trade by helping establish 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. This bill received overwhelming final House passage.

House Concurrent Resolutions

HCS HCR 23, sponsored by Rep. Sally Faith (R-15), encourages the Missouri Veterans Commission to work with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to address the needs of women veterans and formally honors the heroic service of women veterans.

Throughout Session, I will continue to send the Majority Minute to my constituents, colleagues and friends across the State. If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact my office at 573-751-0562.

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

Tim Jones.