The 2017 state legislative session comes to a close in less than a month and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is watching the clock in Jefferson City.
“While it may seem premature to start a countdown, the General Assembly’s multistep approach to lawmaking means that bills that aren’t close to the finish line today need to step up the pace if they have any hope,” chamber officials said in a news release.
Here are 10 proposals the chamber is watching during the final month.
1. Compensating injuries
Strengthening Missouri’s collateral source rule is the goal of House Bill 95, sponsored by Rep. Joe Don McGaugh, R-Carrollton. The legislation clarifies that in a lawsuit an injured person can recover only the actual cost he or she incurred for a medical treatment.
Status: Passed the House and approved by a Senate committee. Needs a full Senate vote.
2. Ending the delivery tax
Prior to 2015, sales tax had never been assessed on delivery fees.
But a court ruling that year gave the state the go-ahead to begin taxing deliveries. Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, sponsored Senate Bill 16 to prohibit the Department of Revenue from assessing sales tax on delivery fees.
Status: Passed the Senate and a House committee. Awaits House debate.
3. Ending venue shopping
According to the chamber, the state’s legal climate regularly ranks among the worst in the nation, and out-of-state trial attorneys seek to capitalize on this status by having potentially lucrative cases moved to Missouri. This ties up the state’s courts and delays progress on resolving Missouri disputes. House Bill 460, sponsored by Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer, R-Shell Knob, would end this practice.
Status: Passed the House and a Senate committee. Needs a full Senate vote.
4. Getting a diploma
The General Assembly is considering bills to establish four adult high schools in the state to give Missourians a second chance at attaining a high school diploma. Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, sponsored House Bill 680, which has passed the House. The language also was amended in House Bill 93, sponsored by Rep. Jeanie Lauer, R-Blue Springs.
Status: Awaiting debate on the Senate floor.
5. Stabilizing UI
In 2015, the Missouri General Assembly passed a law that tied jobless benefits to the state’s unemployment rate – providing more weeks of benefits during periods of high unemployment and fewer weeks when unemployment is low. The 2015 law was struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court. Bills have been filed to reinstate the law. The one furthest along in the process is House Bill 288 by Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob.
Status: Awaiting Senate debate.
6. Ensuring a consistent minimum wage
Lawmakers are working to reverse a Supreme Court ruling that would require some St. Louis City employers to raise their minimum wage to meet a locally set threshold. Rep. Dan Shaul and Rep. Jason Chipman filed House Bill 1193 and House Bill 1194, which would pre-empt and nullify all local laws establishing minimum wage rates higher than Missouri’s state minimum wage.
Status: Passed by the House and a Senate committee. Awaiting Senate floor
7. Preventing prescription drug abuse
Missouri is the only state that does not have a prescription drug monitoring program. Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, has proposed House Bill 90 to bring a PDMP to Missouri.
Status: Awaiting debate in the Senate.
8. Fixing the Templemire decision
The 2014 Templemire decision by the Missouri Supreme Court opened the door to additional lawsuits. The court created a “contributing factor” standard that made it easier for injured workers to claim their past use of workers’ compensation benefits caused their employers to discriminate against them. Under Senate Bill 113, the courts would instead use the “motivating factor” to weigh these cases. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan.
Status: Passed by the Senate and a House committee. Awaiting debate on the House floor.
9. Stopping frivolous litigation
Under Senate Bill 43, an employee can bring a discrimination claim only if that employee’s protected class is the motivating factor for the adverse action. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington.
Status: Passed the Senate and a House committee. Needs approval from the full House.
10. Expanding virtual education options
Members in the House and the Senate have filed bills to change Missouri law and allow the expansion of virtual education in the state. Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-Wentzville, sponsored House Bill 138, and Romine filed Senate Bill 327.
Status: HB 138 is furthest along. It has passed the House and a Senate committee and awaits debate on the Senate floor.
The 2017 legislative session ends at 6 p.m. May 12.
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.
