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Lathrop GPM Consulting LLC
314 East High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
+1 573.469.4172
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Week 12: House Proceeds, Senate Filibusters |
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The Missouri General Assembly returned on Monday to Jefferson City after a week of Spring Break. The House of Representatives conducted a normal week of committee hearings, floor debates, and on Thursday morning passing House bills, sending 10 of them to the Senate. Included in those bills passed by the House is the legalization of betting in Missouri on certain sporting events … sports wagering.
Bets were on the Senate to return from break, refreshed and ready to get down to business. But a lengthy filibuster Wednesday, Wednesday night, Thursday morning by various Senators over a proposed amendment that would not allow businesses to require employees to receive COVID vaccinations AND continuing debate on the state’s U.S. Congressional redistricting map, bogged down the chamber.
Finally, shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, after Senators had been awake and working all night, the Senate third read and passed a redistricting map by a vote of 22-10. The redistricting map now returns to the House, which can accept changes made by the Senate or seek a conference with the Senate. The Senate adopted the emergency clause on the map by a vote of 30-2. At 12:50 p.m. the Senate adjourned until 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Six weeks remain until the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget must be passed by the General Assembly and presented to the Governor. Seven weeks remain until adjournment of the 2022 regular session.
BUDGET UPDATE
There was no movement on either the FY2022 second supplemental bill or the FY2023 budget from the House Budget Committee this week. The Senate Appropriations Committee did convene Wednesday morning to review the numerous tax credit programs administered within the various departments. The tax credit program review moved fairly quickly, although members asked to see listings of those receiving agricultural tax credits for the last two years. The House will continue to work on the second supplemental bill, the FY 23 budget and HB 20 (American Recovery Plan money).
MoSEP INITIATIVES
This week, the Department of Natural Resources Missouri State Energy Plan (MoSEP) announced the initiatives which will be in Cycle 1 of the MoSEP process. Stakeholder meetings have taken place over the last six months and out of those meetings, two types of initiative workgroups have been identified to create Summary and Action Reports and further develop other initiatives for consideration during Cycle 2. The workgroups will focus on streamlining solar permitting, electric vehicles, residential energy efficiency for real estate valuation, energy training and installation at schools, Missouri metals and battery storage, biofuels, renewable natural gas and hydrogen hub, commercial energy efficiency education, and knowledge exchanges. The full report and announcement may be found here.
NEW HEALTH DIRECTOR PAULA NICKELSON IN HOUSE COMMITTEE
On Tuesday, Missouri’s new acting health director Paula Nickelson spoke with lawmakers in front of the House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee for the first time since her appointment. Director Nickelson provided her insights into her evaluation of COVID-19 and key programs and initiatives in the state. Director Nickelson outlined a Department of Health and Senior Services that under her leadership would focus on rebuilding the public health sector, update key infrastructure and technology, and continue monitoring the pandemic while addressing other lagging health metrics. She noted the department had joined an “inter-agency planning group” in late 2021 with other state departments in order to set goals and publish a report in July 2022 on rebuilding the health care workforce.
COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE HAS SENATE HEARING
House Bill 2358 (Evans, R-West Plains) requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for COVID-19 vaccine mandates for those employees who hold sincerely held beliefs. If a COVID-19 vaccine is required, any resulting injuries would be considered an occupational disease. Refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine for religious/conscientious reasons does not disqualify an individual from unemployment compensation. During the bill’s House progression, the bill was amended to include language from HB 1861, regarding organ donations being allowed regardless of vaccine status. Hearing was held March 23 in the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment. No supporting testimony was provided. Associated Industries of Missouri, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and Missouri State Medical Association voiced opposition to the bill.
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House Bill 1586 (Murphy, R-St. Louis) The bill specifies that the General Assembly preempts any political subdivision from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any order, ordinance, rule, regulation, policy, or other similar measure that prohibits, restricts, limits, regulates, controls, directs, or interferes with the practice of veterinary medicine. Hearing held March 24 in the House Rural Community Development Committee. During committee discussion, Representative LaKeySha Bosley (D-St. Louis) suggested that they add language to the bill to put it to a vote of the people or carve out the St. Louis City and County. Dr. Cliff Miller with the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association provided supporting testimony and stated that ordinances passed in St. Louis City and St. Louis County regarding declawing of cats were enacted without the consultation of veterinarians and they believe that those ordinances go beyond what is allowed by state law. While the veterinary medicine community is not completely aligned on declawing, they do believe that it should be veterinary professionals making those decisions without governmental overreach. Also speaking in favor of the bill was the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Pet Breeders’ Association, and the Missouri Farm Bureau. The Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation provided opposing testimony and stated the bill is overreaching and does not define the scope of veterinary medicine. Additionally, it was stated the bill exempts animal abuse from the scope of veterinary medicine, and it was suggested that the bill should include an amendment that protects animal abuse. Also speaking against the bill was an Alderwoman from the City of St. Louis, and the U.S. Humane Society.
House Bill 1608 (Wiemann, R-O’Fallon) The bill prohibits courts from rewriting or editing any ballot summary statements or ballot language approved by the General Assembly. Hearing held March 24 in the House Special Committee on Public Policy. No supporting testimony was provided. Jobs with Justice opposed the bill.
House Joint Resolution 132 (Kidd, R-Buckner). Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment requires that any constitutional amendment must receive both a majority of statewide votes and a majority vote in more than one-half of the state’s House of Representative districts in order to become effective. These requirements would also apply to constitutional changes or amendments proposed during a constitutional convention held under Article XII, section 3(c) of the Constitution of Missouri. On March 23 the House Rules-Administrative Oversight Committee voted HJR 132 “do pass” by a vote of 7-3.
Senate Bill 809 (Koenig, R-Manchester) The bill modifies regulations related to home-based businesses and the issuance of work certificates for individuals under the age of 18. Political subdivisions would be prohibited from enacting a zoning ordinance or regulation that prohibits or restricts home-based work. The legislation does not supersede HOA agreements. Koenig noted there could be a provision added to limit the square footage of a home-based business. The law requiring children under 18 to be issued a work certificate in order to be employed during the regular school year is repealed. The bill would also repeal the law requiring a work permit for children under the age of 16 to be employed in the entertainment industry. On March 22 Senate Small Business and Industry Committee held an executive session where Senate Committee Substitute for SB 809 was voted “do pass” by a vote of 5-2. The substitute defines “home-based businesses” and clarifies the parent would have to be in place when it comes to entertainment industry in regards to a minor.
Senate Bill 1153 (Eslinger, R-Wasola) Under this act, a professional who has a current license to practice his or her profession from another state, commonwealth, territory, or the District of Columbia shall be exempt from Missouri licensure requirements if: (1) the professional is an active duty or reserve member of the Armed Forces, a member of the National Guard, a civilian employee of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), an authorized contractor under federal law, or a professional otherwise authorized under the DOD; (2) the professional practices the same occupation or profession for which he or she holds a current license; and (3) the professional is engaged in the practice of a profession through a partnership with the federal Innovative Readiness Training program within the DOD. This exemption shall only apply while: (1) the professional's practice is required by the program pursuant to military orders; and (2) the services provided by the professional are within the scope of practice for individual's respective profession in Missouri. Hearing held March 21 in the Senate Professional Registration Committee. Testifying in support of the bill was the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. No testimony in opposition.
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House Bill 2694 (Hudson, R-Cape Fair) specifies that county assessors and the assessor of St. Louis City shall use the trade-in value published in the current or two previous years October issue of the National Automobile Dealers' Association Official Used Car Guide, or its successor publication, as the recommended guide of information for determining the lowest true value of motor vehicles described in such publication. The House of Representatives third read and passed HB 2694 by a vote of 146-0 on March 24. The bill’s emergency clause was approved on a vote of 116-25. The bill allows the assessor to assign any value that the assessor deems to be the true value, provided that such value is not greater than the current October issue of the National Automobile Dealers' Association Official Used Car Guide, or its successor publication, and such value is not less than the lowest value in the current or two previous years of such publication. For the purposes of this bill, in the absence of a listing for a particular motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or agricultural equipment in such publication, excluding tangible personal property as described in certain sections of current law, the assessor may use such information or publications which in the assessor's judgment will fairly estimate the lowest true value in money of the motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or agricultural equipment in the current year or two previous years. Another amendment had been added to the bill regarding personal property tax as assessed and valued, shall not exceed the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The CPI provisions of this subsection shall become effective Jan. 1, 2023. The bill now moves to the Senate.
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Lathrop GPM Consulting LLC
314 E. High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
T: +1 573.469.4172
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