Kraus: Legislation at the Capitol

Legislation Promotes Exercise and Good Health

This week, I presented my bill, HB 1691, on pedestrian and bicycle days to the Tourism Committee.  This Committee was as enjoyable as touring the great state of Missouri!  This legislation requires the governor to issue annual proclamations for a Walk and Bike to School month and day in October and Bike to Work month, day, and week in May.

The highlight of this hearing was the presentation of testimony by 13-year-old Jonathan Hugh, who accompanied his father, Brent, to Jefferson City to testify on behalf of "kids who walk and bike to school."  I always like to see young people learn about and be involved in the legislative process, and Jonathan did himself proud as he presented his position to the Committee members.  He pointed to the benefits of the bill for children as "exercise and a better mood."  Walk and Bike to School days are also an opportunity for schools to organize safe passage for kids to walk to school.

Jonathan shares a love of cycling with his father, who is the Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation.  In his testimony in favor of the bill, Brent pointed out that Missouri is #15 in childhood obesity.  Special days, while costing the state nothing, serve as a rallying point around which to organize events that can address problems such as obesity.  In creating enthusiasm and comradeship for healthy exercise, the events can in turn lead to positive physical and mental health benefits.

In agreement, Jim Farrel of the American Heart Association testified that days such as this can promote health and well-being around the state.  I see this as a win-win situation in that, while taxpayers are not called upon to support yet another program, promotional efforts can result in better health habits of Missourians, and thereby save us all some pain and money in the long run.

I asked that this bill be allowed "Consent Status."  Consent status is given when a bill has no fiscal impact, is non-controversial, and contains no penalty provisions.  Passage of the bill becomes much smoother.  Already this bill has been voted out of the Tourism Committee by consent; I hope that it continues to move forward to the benefit of both Missouri's young people and its adults.

House Passes Bill to Reduce Phone Access Fees

In other Capitol news, the House of Representatives gave final approval last week to legislation, HB1750, that would gradually reduce the access fees many Missourians pay each time they make a long distance phone call within the state.  Currently, when a customer in one part of the state calls a customer in another part of the state using a different phone company, a per minute access fee is charged. While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the access rates for interstate calls, the state regulates access fees for long distance calls made within the state.

Missouri's intrastate access rates are some of the highest in the country, and this legislation, if signed into law, should improve that standing.  Over a 10-year period, access fees will be reduced, which will benefit Missourians in the form of lower prices and greater flexibility in choosing services.

Insurance Coverage for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

In other significant legislation passed last week, state-regulated group insurance policies would have to provide coverage for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism affects one of every 110 children in America and an estimated 34,000 children in Missouri.  This bill, HB 1311 & 1341, balances both sides of the issue:  the costs that a requirement for insurance coverage incurs to businesses against the growing need for coverage for children with autism.  In the bill, the insurance companies would be required to cover children up to 18 years of age and cover up to $36,000 per year in costs for treatment.  Missourians with individual insurance policies would not be mandated to obtain a policy with autism coverage.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Joe Smith: House Passes Bill to Aid Children and Families with Autism

Autism effects 1 of every 110 children in the United States of America and an estimated 34,000 children in Missouri. Unfortunately, the treatment for this disorder generally comes out of the pockets of the parents – many of which cannot always afford proper treatment for their child.

Republicans in the House of Representatives have worked passionately for the past year to craft a solution to the growing epidemic of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the lack of insurance-covered treatment for these individuals. Even insurance companies voiced support for a bill that would require insurance coverage for this treatment. Over the summer, the Speaker of the House, Ron Richard, assigned an Interim Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders chaired by Representative Dwight Scharnhorst. The Speaker tasked this committee to meet and work on a bi-partisan piece of legislation that gathered consensus between families with autism, autism advocate groups and insurance companies. The work done by the committee was then passed to the Special Standing Committee on Health Insurance when session started. Chaired by Representative Kevin Wilson, this committee met constantly, working to further reach an agreement that would require insurance companies to cover the treatment of children with autism.

That work materialized into a bill [HB1311 & HB1341] passed through the House this week and includes the following:

1. This bill balances both sides of the issue: the costs that a requirement for insurance coverage incurs to businesses along with the growing need for coverage for children with autism.
2. Insurance companies would be required to cover children up to 18 years of age and cover up to $36,000 in costs for treatment.
3. The bill also cracks down to protect families in regard to who treats their children. In order to treat children with autism, providers must be licensed and registered by the state of Missouri.
4. To protect businesses, small businesses in particular, a business should report a problem if the insurance requirement for autism treatment is causing them to drop in revenue. If reported and deemed legitimate, these businesses will be granted the option of “dropping out” on the insurance requirement.

The passage of this bill was a great achievement in the House of Representatives. The ability to aid children and families suffering from autism is something we are proud of and will continue work on. It is because of Speaker Ron Richard, Representatives Scharnhorst and Wilson and the work of our members on both sides of the isle that this bill was passed.

Nance: Committee Updates, Uninsured Children, New Eagle Scouts in Richmond

"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money." –Alexis de Tocqueville

Committee Actions

The House Special Standing Committee on Health Insurance held a hearing on HB 1311 and HB 1341. Both bills require health benefit plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

• The House Special Standing Committee on Workforce Development and Workplace Safety voted do pass a committee substitute for HB 1544, which extends the state's eligibility to receive federal extended unemployment benefit money to provide unemployed individuals compensation beyond the current unemployment benefit period.
  
• The House Job Creation and Economic Development Committee held a hearing on HB 1512, which establishes provisions to encourage the investment in and the development of technology-based early stage Missouri businesses.

In late December, the governor's tax commission raised taxes on Missouri farmers by almost 29 percent. This devastating blow comes after one of the worst farm income years since 1945.  Missouri farmers are currently carrying some of the highest debt load in the nation and simply cannot afford to pay a property tax increase at this time. By a vote of 140-15, HCR 3, 7 and 17 passed, speaking out against the tax increase on agricultural land.

Uninsured Children

I have two bills filed this session that try to address the uninsured children in the state. According to Citizens for Missouri's Children, it is estimated that 132,000 children are uninsured in Missouri and about 87,000 are eligible to receive public health care coverage.

HB 1467 requires the Department of Social Services to identify eligible children who are not participating in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by distributing to all public school districts written information regarding eligibility criteria and application procedures for the program which is to be given to parents and guardians when a student enrolls in school.  The department must also cross-check databases to identify low-income families participating in other public assistance programs but who are not currently participating in the program. This would be presumptive eligibility.

HB 1625 allows Revenue to have a check-off box on the Missouri tax return. If a filer claims a dependent child, they are asked if the child has health insurance. If not, the Department of Revenue will forward information to enroll the child in the S-CHIP program. This is not an expansion of the program, but it identifies and facilitates children that already qualify for the program. An annual report would be sent to the Governor with the number of children enrolled through the effort. A healthy start in life improves a child's chance of developing into a healthy adult.

In the District

Saturday I attended a ceremony honoring Brandon and Kevin Pemburlin as they each achieved their goal of Eagle Scout at the United Methodist Church in Richmond. They are members of Troop 324.

Visitors

Visiting for Sheltered Workshops was Jerry Tindall, an Excelsior Springs resident with Vocational Services Inc. of Liberty.

Carter: Updates from Committees, State Happenings, and General Revenue Report

At right: Representative Chris Carter and Representative Mary Still with the Granddaughter of Dred Scott

As your Representative in Jefferson City, it is of utmost importance that you, the constituent, know what I am doing and how I am working to serve you.  Recently in the Healthcare Transformation Committee on which I sit, a bill [HB1377] was introduced that would develop a system to screen and drug test work-eligible applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, taking away aid from individuals who tested positive and either refused drug treatment or failed to stay clean once they had completed a drug treatment program.  While I understand the chronic drug problems we face as a state and a nation, and the frustration taxpayers may have concerning tax dollars possibly being spent on illicit drugs, I believe this bill is a public policy disaster, and for the following reasons I opposed it in committee.

1. This bill is not revenue-neutral; it will cost the state money.  Enough money will not be recouped from not making payments to recipients who use drugs to pay for the program.  In the current state budget crisis, the creation of a new system to find ways to take assistance from people already in dire circumstances is unacceptable.
   
2. This bill unjustly targets poor people, who, according to testimony given during the committee hearing, are not statistically more likely to use drugs.
   
3. This bill will add names to an ever-growing waiting list for individuals seeking drug treatment from the State of Missouri.  Our current system cannot accommodate all who seek treatment, yet this bill adds to that system.

Lastly, this bill has major constitutional problems, and whether or not it is upheld by the courts, the state will have to mount a costly legal defense. Proponents of this bill actually said in committee that while this bill may cost money, the social benefit of fighting drugs is worth the cost.  I could not agree more, but I believe the best way for us to move forward and fight drugs, while defending families from the awful affects of drug abuse is for us to better fund the system we already have in place, not by infringing on the rights of poor families.  Using the money this bill would cost on more drug treatment and for more social services will help achieve the stated goals of this bill much better then the bill itself.  To address the concerns that some have about the use of state funds for illicit drugs, I will propose an amendment to the bill when it comes before the House insisting that everyone who receives state money, whether they are students receiving scholarships, farmers receiving subsidies, or state officials, including the Governor, who receive a salary, be screened and tested too, since this is the only way we can ensure that no state funds are supporting illicit drug use.

FLOOR ACTIVITY

All activity as of January 25, 2010

# House Bills Filed -625
# of HBs Referred to Committee -37
# HBs Reported Do Pass - 4
# HBs Reported Do Pass Consent - 0
# HBs Perfected - 0
# HBs Third Read - 0
# HBs Reported Do Pass in the Senate - 0
# HBs Third Read in the Senate - 0

COMMITTEE ACTION

On the Week of January 4, the following bills were referred to the House Special Committee on Health Insurance:

• HB 1311 - Requires health carriers issuing or renewing a health benefit plan to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
  
• HB 1341 - Requires certain health benefit plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism

During the Week of January 19:

• The House Special Standing Committee on General Laws voted do pass a committee substitute for HCR 18, which urges the Missouri Congressional delegation to vote against the federal health care reform legislation.
  
• The House Health Care Transformation Committee voted do pass a committee substitute for HB 1377, which requires the Department of Social Services to test applicants for or recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits or the illegal use of controlled substances.
  
• The House Job Creation and Economic Development Committee held a hearing on HB 1511, which establishes the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act and the Missouri Science and Innovation Authority.
  
• The House Budget Committee heard testimony from State Budget Director Linda Lubbering regarding the Consensus Revenue Estimates for Fiscal Year 2010 and 2011.

Kander: 5 Jeff City New Year's Resolutions

Dear Friends,

As 2010 approaches and everyone is thinking of their own new year's resolutions, I thought I should list mine.

1. Pass comprehensive ethics reform

Many important issues confront the state of Missouri in 2010, but I believe that we can more effectively address every issue if we make needed reforms to our political system.

In September, I wrote a thirteen-page memo to my colleagues on this topic. A few weeks later, the Kansas City Star ran a feature story about loopholes in the system.

On December 14th, I joined with Rep. Tim Flook (R-Liberty) in announcing House Bill 1434 which, should it pass, will substantially change Missouri politics.

As has been widely reported, our bill would . . . (READ MORE ABOUT NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION #1)

2. Help to pass agile job creation tools and preserve important programs in a very difficult budget year.

In a previous newsletter, I wrote about the need for new economic development tools to help Missouri compete internationally. It is, obviously, one of my new year's resolutions – and I know the majority of my colleagues share this same priority.

Since my last writing about the subject, the Governor weighed in heavily in favor of the bipartisan Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act. I enthusiastically supported last year's bill and am hopeful that we can pass it in 2010.

While we work on creative ways to increase state revenue through job creation, I will work to preserve vital state services in one of the most difficult budget years in a long time. I trust that I won't be the only member of the budget committee to work toward this goal.

3. Strengthen or preserve laws that protect Missourians at home and in court.

I am currently working with other lawmakers to draft Sam and Lindsay's law, named in honor of Sam and Lindsay Porter, who died by their father's hand in 2004. Their mother, Tina Porter, approached Jackson County Prosecutor Jim Kanatzar about changes she felt were needed to protect Missouri's children from parental kidnappings. Jim then approached me, Sen. Victor Callahan (D-Independence) and Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharpe about the legislation. We announced the proposed changes last Wednesday during a press conference at the Jackson County Courthouse.

Also, I will re-file bipartisan legislation in 2010 that I first pushed in 2009 to strengthen domestic violence laws, and I will once again co-sponsor bipartisan efforts to mandate insurance coverage of autism treatments.

Next, although I was the only Democratic co-sponsor of the False Claims Act last year, I'm hopeful that it will receive support on both sides of the aisle in 2010.

Finally, I will continue to fight for the preservation of the Missouri non-partisan court plan.

4. Do the impossible: stay fit while living in Jefferson City.

This is a pretty big goal. Thanks to the ongoing requirements of the Army National Guard, I do manage to stay in pretty decent shape year-round, but the legislative session in Jeff City from January to May really presents a challenge. These last two months, Diana and I have been getting up early for some pretty serious "extreme" morning workouts and we feel pretty good about it. She can do A LOT of pull ups. It's pretty impressive actually.

But my schedule in Jeff City is so insane and the junk food is so quick and easy . . . it's going to be a real test.  (The picture on the right is from a charity eating contest and is not to be taken as an accurate reflection of my normal diet.)

Heading back to Jeff City, I feel kind of like those contestants on "The Biggest Loser" who have to "leave the ranch" for a few weeks and try to do it without their trainers or their helpful dieticians.

So if you're reading this and you're one of the people who works with me in Jefferson City, here's how you can help me with this resolution. If you see me about to eat pizza or some other quick and unhealthy snack, please do your best to shame me and, if necessary, attempt to physically steal the food. If nothing else, I'll burn some calories fighting for my junk food.

So those are my resolutions. As always, thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you. Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Jason

P.S. I almost forgot new year's resolution #5: WIN RE-ELECTION!