Nance: Last-Minute Work On Four Bills

At right: Representative Chris Carter, St. Louis City, and I sharing a happy moment with the passage of a bill we worked on together.

In the District

MoDOT has a meeting scheduled for May 18^th at the Richmond High School. Discussion will pertain to the closing of the Excelsior Springs and Millville Facilities and the moving of a Resident Engineer from the Ray County Facility. Meeting begins at 5:00. The complete list of community briefings can be found at www.modot.org.

We are working at a very fast pace this week passing numerous bills before the session ends on Friday. Below are some bills that passed this week as of Thursday.

Bills that I have proposed that passed on other bills as amendments were

RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS SB 101
Prohibits a residential contractor from advertising or promising to pay or rebate all or any portion of an insurance deductible as an inducement to the sale of goods or services. This will protect consumers from “fly by night” contractors.

SMALL CLAIMS COURT ACTIONS HB 386
Increases the amount in controversy from less than $3,000 to less than $5,000 for a case where the judge of a small claims court will have original jurisdiction. This bill will give people an opportunity to have their case heard in court without having to hire a lawyer.

CHILDREN'S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFIT HB 793
Requires the Department of Social Services to establish an administrative renewal process for a child eligible for MO HealthNet or State Children's Health Insurance Program benefits. This allows more efficiency in keeping our children healthy.

COMMUNITY CENTER SALES TAX HB 853
Authorizes the City of Excelsior Springs to impose, upon voter approval, a retail sales tax of up to 1% for the purpose of funding a community center and retiring any bonds issued for funding the center. This will give the Council and citizens an opportunity to decide on the need of a community center.

Other Truly Agreed and Finally Passed Bills

The Missouri House has given final approval to several pieces of legislation. Some of the bills sent to the governor’s desk would require drug testing for TANF recipients and applicants, ban K2 alternatives and synthetic cocaine being sold as bath salts, and increase penalties for human trafficking.

House members approved HB 73 by a vote of 113-34. Known as the "TANF Child Protection and Drug Free Home Act", the bill would require Temporary Assistance for Needy Families applicants and recipients to be drug tested when a case worker has a reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use. Individuals who fail or refuse the test would receive benefits only by completing a substance abuse treatment program and not failing another test.

House members also approved HB 641 that would add to the list of schedule I controlled substances several forms of stimulants, including "bath salts," and hallucinogenic synthetic cannabinoids (K2 alternatives). Possession of more than 35 grams of the substances would be a class C felony. The House approved HB 641 by a vote of 143-13.

In addition, the House gave final approval to legislation that would increase the penalties for individuals guilty of human trafficking. The bill would increase the penalties and add a monetary fine not to exceed $250,000 for all of the human trafficking crimes. It also would enhance the penalty for the crimes of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and sexual trafficking of a child if the crimes were affected by force, abduction, or coercion. HB 214 was approved by a vote of 154-0.