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Hourly Update: The Senate

During the last week of session, The Missouri Times will be bringing you hourly updates of all the floor activity of each chamber. Below is all the floor activity for the Senate.

Friday, May 16

6:00 pm

The Senate will adjourn under the constitution.

House Bill 1439 — Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act and changes the laws regarding firearms

  • After several trips to conference, the bill arrived in the chamber with only a few minutes left. Democrats quickly engaged in a filibuster and were able to hold the floor until the mandated adjournment at 6:00 pm.

House Bill 1261 — Changes the laws regarding audits for transportation development districts

  • The bill was Third read and passed.

House Bill 1591 — Specifies that the classroom portion of the firearms safety training course must not have more than 40 students per qualified firearms safety instructor and that an individual occupying private property with permission from the property owner may use deadly force in specified situations.

  • The bill was Third read and passed.

5:30 pm

HJR 72 — Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting the Governor from reducing any payment of public debt and requiring notification to the General Assembly when he or she makes specified payment changes of appropriations
  • The measure was truly agreed to and finally passed.

House Bill 1189 — Requires DESE to adopt a policy on high school graduation that allows certain agriculture or career and technical education courses to satisfy certain subject-specific graduation requirements

  • The bill was truly agreed to and finally passed.

House Bill 1739 — Authorizes an election authority to accept voter registration applications with electronic signatures under certain conditions

  • The bill was laid over.

House Bill 1553 — Adds Saline County public library district to the list of library districts allowed to levy a sales tax under section 182.802

  • The bill was truly agreed to and finally passed.

4:30  pm

Senate Bill 575 — Modifies and repeals a number of existing, expired or obsolete committees as well as creating the new Joint Committee on Judiciary and Justice.

  • The bill is before the body

House Bill 1707 — Allows community college police officers to establish regulations to control vehicular traffic on any thoroughfare owned or maintained by the college

  • The conference report was adopted and approved.

House Bill 1831 — Allows a child care facility incorporated as an LLC to qualify for the exemption for related children

  • The conference report was adopted and approved.

3:30 pm

House Bill 1831 Allows in-home child care facilities incorporated as an LLC to qualify for the exemption for related children.

  • Conference Committee Report adopted
  • Third Read and Passed

2:30 pm

House Bill 1231 Modifies various provisions of law relating to the administration of justice.

  • Conference Committee Report adopted
  • Truly Agreed Finally Passed
  • Emergency Clause adopted

House Bill 1685 Allows for the use of investigational drugs by those with terminal illnesses.

  • Conference Committee Review adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 794 Allows certain financial institutions to transfer fiduciary obligations and modifies the law relating to insurance producers and holding companies.

  • House Committee Substitute adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 869 Modifies provisions relating to children.

  • House Committee Substitute adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

House Bill 1302 Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Natural Resources.

  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 1504 Exempts certain taxes from tax increment financing capture.

  • Conference Committee Report adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 567 Modifies provisions relating to adult day care programs.

  • House Committee Substitute Adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 844 Modifies the shared work unemployment compensation program.

  • House Amendment One adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed
  • Emergency Clause adopted

1:30 pm

Senate Bill 809 Modifies provisions of law regarding licensing of architects, professional engineers, professional land surveyors, and professional landscape architects.

  • House Committee Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 655 Modifies provisions relating to property.

  • House Committee Substitute adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 642 Modifies provisions relating to proposed surface mining operations.

  • Third Read and Passed

Senate Bill 727 Creates a sales and use tax exemption for farm products sold at a farmers’ market and creates a pilot program for SNAP benefits to be used at farmers’ markets.

  • The conference committee report was adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 691 Modifies insurance policy cancellation and reinstatement requirements and allows homeowner insurance companies to offer sinkhole coverage.

  • The conference committee report was adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

Senate Bill 729 Creates a tax credit for donations to Innovation Campuses.

  • The conference committee report was adopted
  • Third Read and passed

Senate Bill 896 Modifies provisions relating to county governance.

  • The conference committee report was adopted
  • Third Read and Passed

Senate Bill 860 Creates a sales and use tax exemption for used manufactured homes.

  • The conference committee report was adopted
  • Third Read and Finally Passed

12:00 pm

Senate Bill 852 — Allows police on the Kansas border to provide mutual aid, provides compensatory time for corrections officers, and provides for the regulation of corporate security advisors.

  • The conference committee report was adopted and passed by the body.

Senate Bill 754 — Modifies provisions relating to health care.

  • The conference committee report was adopted and approved.

Senate Bill 664 — Modifies provisions relating to natural resources.

  • The bill was Third read and passed.

Senate Bill 584 — Modifies provisions relating to taxation.

The Senate spent significant time on the bill which had a number of changes made in the House. The bill was eventually Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed.

11:00 am

Senate Bill 664 — Modifies provisions relating to natural resources.

  • The bill was Third read and passed.

Senate Bill 584 — Modifies provisions relating to taxation.

  • The Senate spent significant time on the bill which had a number of changes made in the House. The bill is currently before the body.

The Senate spent a few minutes remembering the career of Rep. Chris Kelly, who served 16 years total as a state representative from Boone County. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and Sen. Kurt Schaefer thanked him for being “a leader, statesman, and friend.”

Thursday, May 15

8:31 pm

The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow morning.

House Bill 1665 — Requires a person publishing an arrest booking photograph on his or her internet website to remove such photograph upon the request of the individual whose photograph was published

  • The bill will go into conference.

House Bill 1707 — Allows community college police officers to establish regulations to control vehicular traffic on any thoroughfare owned or maintained by the college

  • The bill will go into conference.

7:00 pm

The Senate is standing at ease as it waits for House messages and conferees.

Senate Bill 680 — Modifies provisions relating to public assistance.

  • The bill was passed. In the bill was an amendment nearly a decade in the making. Under current Missouri law, felony drug offenses disqualify a citizen from ever receiving food stamps, but murder does not. An amendment attached to this bill ended the lifetime ban.

Senate Bill 506 —  Modifies provisions relating to agriculture

  • The bill was passed.

House Bill 1883 — Updates various provisions relating to members and committees of the General Assembly

  • The bill was Third read and passed.

House Bill 1304 — Changes the definition of “original package” of malt liquor for liquor licensing purposes to include cans and pouches

  • The substitute was adopted and passed.

6:00 pm

House Bill 1506 — Establishes a rural regional development grants program

  • The bill was Third read and passed.

Senate Bill 584 — Modifies provisions relating to taxation.

  • The substitute was adopted and approved

Senate Bill 664 — Modifies provisions relating to natural resources.

  • Senate will grant conference.

House Bill 1225 — Modifies provisions relating to self-service storage facilities

House Bill 1867 — Changes the laws regarding underground facility safety.

  • The Senate substitute was adopted and approved.

House Bill 1665 — Requires a person publishing an arrest booking photograph on his or her internet website to remove such photograph upon the request of the individual whose photograph was published

House Bill 1707 — Allows community college police officers to establish regulations to control vehicular traffic on any thoroughfare owned or maintained by the college.

  • The Senate substitute was adopted and approved.

House Bill 1614 — Adds dyslexia to the special needs definition for purposes of Bryce’s Law

  • The bill was approved.

5:00 pm

House Bill 1553 — Adds Saline County public library district to the list of library districts allowed to levy a sales tax under section 182.802

  • The bill was approved.

Senate Bill 656 — Modifies provisions relating to firearms and corporate security advisors.

  • The conference report was adopted and approved.

Senate Bill 896 — Modifies provisions relating to county governance

  • The Senate requested a conference.

Senate Bill 508 — Modifies licensing requirements for health insurance exchange navigators; modifies cross-section references in SCHIP program and modifies requirements for issuance of excepted benefit plans.

  • The bill was approved.

House Bill 1490 – Changes the laws regarding academic performance and learning standards in elementary and secondary education.

  • The conference committee report was adopted and accepted.

4:00 pm

House Bill 1867 — Changes the laws regarding underground facility safety.

  • Sen. Lager sought to add language to the bill dealing with railroad right-of-ways, which was part of his 5th telecommunications bill that stalled in the House. The measure is currently before the body.

HJR 48 — Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the State Lottery Commission to develop and sell a Veterans Lottery Ticket with proceeds to go to the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund

  • The resolution was approved.

House Bill 1296 — Allows a seller to advertise that the required sales tax will be assumed or absorbed into the price of the property sold or the services rendered if the amount of the tax is separately stated

  • Third read and passed.

House Bill 1390 — Requires the cooperative development of a university resource allocation model that incorporates performance funding for public four-year institutions of higher education

  • Third read and passed.

House Bill 1455 — Changes the laws regarding burdens of proof for the director of revenue in ascertaining tax liability of a taxpayer.

  • Third read and passed.

House  Bill 1883 — Updates various provisions relating to members and committees of the General Assembly.

  • Third read and passed.

3:00 pm

House Bill 1439 — Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act and changes the laws regarding firearms.

  • Sen. Brian Nieves said the House added language in conference never vetted in the Senate. Nieves told the body that the House “doesn’t seem to be aware,” of how things are done in conference. The Senate refused to adopt the report and granted further conference.

House Bill 1629 — Exempts the residential property of individuals 65 years of age or older from increases in assessed valuation that are not from new construction or improvements and from rate increases.

  • The bill was Third read by the chamber.

The Senate reconvened at 2:30 pm.

12:3o pm

The Senate will stand adjourned.

House Bill 1685 —Allows physicians to prescribe certain investigational drugs, biological products, or devices to certain eligible terminally ill patients.

  • The Senate will grant further conference on the bill.

Senate Bill 621 — Modifies various provisions of law regarding garnishments, criminal procedure, prosecutors’ retirement system, judicial resources, court surcharges, and crime prevention

  • The conference report was adopted and approved.

Senate Bill 615 —Modifies various provisions of law relating to court costs, civil fines, and the prosecuting attorneys’ retirement system

  • The conference report and emergency clause were both approved by the body.

12:00 pm

Senate Bill 492 — Modifies provisions relating to the authorization for funding and administrative processes in higher education.

  • The Senate has adopted and approved of the conference committee report.

Senate Bill 860 — Creates a sales and use tax exemption for used manufactured homes

  • The Senate will appoint a conference committee.

House Bill 1326 – Establishes the Missouri Dairy and Agriculture Education Act of 2014

  • The Senate adopted its own substitute of this agriculture omnibus bill, which it then amended on the floor. The measure will go back to the House, likely for a conference.

11:00 am

House Bill 1869 —Contains provisions relating to charter schools

  • The bill is currently before the body.

Senate Bill 852 —Allows police on the Kansas border to provide mutual aid, provides compensatory time for corrections officers, and provides for the regulation of corporate security advisors

Senate Bill 729 — Creates a tax credit for donations to Innovation Campuses

  • The bill will go into conference.

House Bill 2077 — Creates the Surplus Reserve Fund

  • Creates a fund if revenue estimates exceed the legislative estimate. The bill was Third Read.

House Bill 1468 — Specifies that workers’ compensation provisions shall not apply to volunteers for certain tax-exempt organizations

  • The bill will go into conference.

Senate Bill 723 —Modifies the composition of the Board of Public Buildings and raises the cap on the amount of revenue bonds that may be issued by such board.

  • The bonding bill appears to be stalled, as the House included new construction projects in their version of the bill, which Sen. Mike Parson says should be a lower priority than deferred maintenance. He is now pushing for the Senate vehicle for the bill.

HCR 9 — Strongly urges the National Park Service to draft its final General Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to recognize the importance the riverways provides to the state.

  • The resolution was adopted.

Wednesday, May 14

8:20 pm

The Senate adjourned under the rules

House Bill 1495 — Requires Missouri Technology Corporations to distribute money to specified early stage business development corporations for grants to newly formed businesses that have the potential for sales or development of new technologies

  • The Senate will enter conference on the bill.

House Bill 1693 – Changes the laws regarding unclaimed property

  • The bill was approved.

8:00 pm

House Bill 2163 — Changes the laws regarding motor vehicle height and weight limits in certain city commercial zones

  • The measure is before the body.

House  Bill 1831 — Allows a child care facility incorporated as an LLC to qualify for the exemption for related children

  • The measure, with some amendments, was approved.

House Bill 1865 — Modifies provisions of law relating to sales and use tax exemptions for utilities used or consumed in the preparation of food

  • Third read and passed.

House Bill 1371 —Changes the laws regarding the Missouri Criminal Code

  • The bill makes several of the suggested changes requested by Nixon in the criminal code rewrite.

Senate Bill 493 — Modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education, specifically related to school transfers.

  • After lengthy debate, the body approved the conference committee report by a vote of 28-3.

7:00 pm

Senate Bill 493 — Modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education, specifically related to school transfers.

  • The senate is continuing to work through its school transfer conference committee report substitute. Sen. Scott Sifton asked a number of technical questions about a range of issues in the bill, and the body is still discussing the bill. In closing his long inquiry, Sifton pleaded with Nixon to either sign the bill or veto it immediately and call a special session so the legislature could continue to work. The bill remains before the body.

6:00 pm

Senate Bill 493 — Modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education, specifically related to school transfers.

  • A conference committee report substitute was offered and it is currently before the body.

5:00 pm

House Bill 2141 —Modifies measurement standards and tax rates for compressed and liquefied natural gas as a motor fuel

  • The bill, with amendments, was approved.

Senate Bill 693 —Modifies provisions relating to taxation, fire sprinklers and merchandising practices

  • The Conference report was adopted and approved.

House Bill 1231 — Changes the laws regarding judicial procedures

  • The SCS was approved.

Senate Bill 493 — Modified provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. The bill specifically deals largely with school transfers.

  • The body voted to exceed the differences.

4:00 pm

House Bill 1861 — Specifies that public assistance benefit recipients who make electronic benefit transfer transactions exclusively outside the state for a period of 90 days shall have their benefits suspended; requires the Department of Social Services to establish a pilot program to allow SNAP participants to purchase fresh produce at farmers markets

  • The body remained on the bill even after Silvey withdrew his expansion amendment. Senators Schaaf and Schaefer both spent floor time discussing in detail their opposition to Medicaid expansion.

3:00 pm

House Bills for Third Reading

House Bill 1861 — Specifies that public assistance benefit recipients who make electronic benefit transfer transactions exclusively outside the state for a period of 90 days shall have their benefits suspended; requires the Department of Social Services to establish a pilot prgram to allow SNAP participants to purchase fresh produce at farmers markets

  • Debate was derailed for several minutes as Senators chided Nixon on the floor for the news that broke earlier today that the Children’s Division of the DSS paid more than $200,000 in National Governor Association dues since 2014, dues that many say Nixon should have paid for with his own funds.
  • After that debate subsided, Sen. Ryan Silvey, a Republican, dropped a senate substitute that would reform and expand Medicaid. The sub is before the body and Silvey is currently leading the discussion.

11:00 am

House Bills for Third Reading

HB 1539 Modifies provisions related to corporate security advisors, self defense, and concealed carry permits

Sen. Dixon moved to add an amendment to the bill, Sen. Sifton asked some general questions about the bill for clarification.  Sen. Dixon then moved to have the bill placed on the informal calendar.

HB 1231 Modifies various provisions of law relating to the administration of justice

Sen. Justus spoke on and offered an amendment on adoptions and how they are restricted by county based on where the child lives, where the adopter lives, and where the birth parent lives.  Sen. Justus is looking to broaden the language to allow for an easier adoption process, “It’s a huge improvement.” Sen. Justus said.  “We are not violating parental rights but making it easier for these children to get permits.” Sen. Justus said.  A voice vote was held and the adoption of the first amendment was added.  Sen. Dixon then moved to adopt three consecutive amendments including language related to safe care providers and the cyber crime investigation fund.  All three of these amendments were added following a voice vote.  Sen. Justus then moved to add an amendment regarding the showing of proof of driver’s licenses.  Sen. Munzlinger then moved to adopt the sixth senate amendment on this bill.  Sen. Keavney then proposed a seventh amendment, but during that proposition Sen. Dixon requested that the bill be placed on the informal calendar.

10:00 am

Privileged Motions

SB 656 Modifies provisions relating to firearms and corporate security advisors

Sen. Kraus requested a conference on the bill, a voice vote was held and the motion carried.

HB 1490 Requires the State Board of Education to convene work groups to develop new academic performance standards

Sen. Ed Emery moved for this bill to be sent back to conference committee to correct language in the bill.  A voice vote was held and the vote passed the motion to send the bill back to committee.

SB 615 Modifies various provisions of law relating to court costs, civil fines, and the prosecuting attorneys’ retirement system

Sen. Dixon moved that senate refuse to concur with amendments made on Senate Bill 615 and that a conference committee be held.  A voice vote was held and the motion was passed.

HB 1685 Allows for the use of investigational drugs by those with terminal illnesses

Sen. Schaff moved that the senate refuse to concur with amendments made on the bill and the bill be sent back to conference committee. A voice vote was held and the motion was passed.

Senate Bills with House Amendments

SB 745 Modifies the provisions regarding sheriffs and other law enforcement officers, weapons, and concealed carry permits

Sen. Munzlinger began by proposing to add two amendments to the bill, the first which reworked some language that was considered “contentious” regarding conceal and carry permits for sheriff’s the vote passed with 24 aye 5 no.  The second amendment also passed by a vote of 27 aye and 4 no.  Sen. Munzlinger spoke on the second amendment before the vote, “It actually puts in an issuance date, which will hopefully allow what the intent of the bill was, to go forward.”  Senate substitutive for senate bill 745 was then voted on and received a constitutional majority of 27 aye, 4 no.

SB 504 Requires state agencies to post proposed rules, summaries, and fiscal notes on their websites

Tuesday, May 13

6:00 pm

HCR 30 — Strongly urges the Environmental Protection Agency to reject any federal fossil fuel emission regulations that remove coal as a viable fuel option for new and existing electric generation

  • The measure was approved.

HCR 38 — Urges the U.S. Congress to decrease the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate water quality and the use of coal and wood as energy sources.

  • The measure was approved by the body.

HJR 45 — Proposes a constitutional amendment limiting the liability for damages and authorizes the General Assembly to adjust the amount as necessary by law.

  • The measure was approved by the body.

House Bill 1454 — Changes the laws regarding utilities.

  • The measure was approved.

House Bill 1553 — Adds Saline County public library district to the list of library districts allowed to levy a sales tax under section 182.802

  • The bill was approved and sent to the House for conference.

5:00 pm

Senate Bill 716 — Modifies provisions relating to public health.

  • The conference substitute was adopted and approved.

HCR 9 — Strongly urges the National Park Service to draft its final General Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to recognize the importance the riverways provides to the state

  • The resolution was approved.

HCR 13 —Urges the United States Air Force to retain the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft fleet

  • The resolution was approved.

HCR 25 — Recognizes the month of February as “Oral Health Awareness Month” and that good oral health is critical to good overall health

  • The measure was approved.

4:00 pm

Senate Bill 662 —Requires the Department of Revenue to notify affected sellers of certain decisions modifying sales tax law.

  • The conference committee substitute was adopted and passed by the body.

Senate Bill 672 — Modifies provisions relating to businesses, political subdivisions, fire sprinklers, investments, hair braiding, garnishments, asphalt shingles, and Sunday sales.

  • The conference committee report was adopted and approved, sending it to Nixon’s desk pending House approval.

Senate Bill 612 – Extends allocation of tax revenues from the nonresident entertainer and athlete tax until December 31, 2020

  • The conference report was passed by the Senate, sending it to Nixon’s desk pending House approval.

Senate Bill 621 — Modifies various provisions of law regarding garnishments, criminal procedure, prosecutors’ retirement system, judicial resources, court surcharges, and crime prevention

  • The conference report was adopted and approved.

12:00pm

House Bill 1685 — Allows physicians to prescribe certain investigational drugs, biological products, or devices to certain eligible terminally ill patients.

  • The bill was Third Read and passed with a senate substitute, sending it to the House for final approval or conference.

House Bill 1075 — Changes the law regarding unclaimed property.

  • The Senate substitute was passed, sending it back to the House for final approval or conference.

House Bill 2079 — Allows specified sewer corporations to contract with water districts or municipalities to terminate water service for non-payment of a sewer bill.

  • Sen. Jason Holsman once again offered his amendment to preserve solar rebates, as he has said he will do on several bills.

The senate substitute was adopted and the bill was placed on the informal calender.

The Senate is in recess until 3:00 pm.

11:00 am

House Bills on Third Reading

House Bill 1468 –Specifies that workers’ compensation provisions shall not apply to volunteers for certain tax-exempt organizations

  •  The bill is now sent back to the House, where they will either adopt the Senate version or send the bill to conference.

House Bill 1302 — Specifies that Missourians have the right to heat their homes and businesses using wood-burning furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, and heaters

An amendment was added by Sen. Holsman to preserve certain solar-energy related rebates. The amendment was before the body for some time while the bill’s sponsor spoke with several other members.

  • The bill was referred to a Senate committee.

Monday May 12

12:30

House Bills for Third Reading

HJR 90 Establishes advance voting

Sen. Kraus began by moving for the adoption of the senate substitute of senate committee substitute for House Joint Resolution 90.  Sen. Kraus then fielded a slew of questions from Sen. Justus concerning the bills constitutionality and overall effectiveness, concerning the limitations around the time limits given for the early votes to be cast.  Sen. Justus also questioned the $1.8 million fiscal note, “I don’t think that anything will be utilized to cost the state 1.8 million, I don’t think this bill will do much at all.” Justus continued  “I hope that this turns into maybe not something that I would like or something that you would like, but something that’s best for most Missourians.” Sen. LeVota then proposed three amendments to the bill, all of which were voted against by a majority.  The senate substitute was then adopted by a majority voice vote.  A roll call vote was then held with 22 voting aye, and 8 no the resolution was voted passed.

9:30

House Bills for Third Reading

HB 1307 Amends the current waiting period for having an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours

Sen. Sifton began by proposing an amendment to add sexual education to the bill.  Sen. Sifton then spoke on how little time medicaid expansion and economic development  have had in the senate, and how Medicaid expansion in particular could end up not being discussed in the senate at all as compared to the abortion bill at hand.  “I Just don’t believe that our time here tonight is best spent on an undue burden to women’s rights as opposed to economic development.” Sifton said.   Sen. Nasheed then took over the discussion asking Sen. Keaveny “72 hours what difference does that make?”  Keaveny then fired back calling it a “line in the sand” stating that Sen. Nasheed has her side and he has his.  “The entire time I’ve been here I’ve never seen a woman bring forth this type of legislation.” Nasheed said.  Sen. Keaveny did agree that the senators could spend their time more effectively talking about other issues like a Medicaid expansion.  Senator Nasheed went on to inquire Sen. Walsh and Sen. Sifton as well.  Republican Senate members called a caucus meeting, during the Sifton inquiry.  A voice vote was held on the amendment, as a result the amendment failed to be adopted.  A vote was held on the adoption of the senate committee substitute and was passed.  A voice vote then was taken on the bill and received a constitution majority of  22 aye to 9 no.

6:00

House Bills for Third Reading

HB 1501 Changes the laws regarding the Distressed Area Land Assemblage Tax Credit Act

Sen. Lamping and Sen. Schaaf talked at length about this bill forming a back and forth.  Sen. Lamping said that “In previous years this bill has always been marketed as reform.”  Sen. Lamping did not agree with that notion of the bill in the past, and thought that the bill in its presentation was “mumbled” through.  The bill was placed on the informal calendar.

The Senate stands in recess until 9:30 p.m.

5:00

House Bills for Third Reading

HB 1651 Allows members of electric cooperatives to participate in certain meetings by mail or electronic means

No discussion was held on this bill, Sen. Wasson called for a voice vote following the third reading.  The bill passed unanimously 31-0.

4:00

House Bills for Third Reading

HB 1557 Specifies that any person found to have committed a traffic violation based solely on evidence obtained from an automated traffic enforcement system shall have no points assessed on his or her license, allows a truck with a gross weight over 48,000 pounds to drive in the far left-hand lane of any Missouri highway, freeway, or expressway, requires MODOT to issue emergency utility response permits to allow motor carriers to transport equipment following a disaster

Sen Holsman discussed the need for this bill and his “four points” he would like to make sure where in the final version of the bill.  An amendment was brought forth by Sen. Holsman who asked for the 35 to be stricken from the part of the bill that deals with fines, “Out of the four points I wanted to see for this bill, the forth is that I wanted the fine to be  $100” Holsman continued “I want to make sure privacy is considered and the ban of face shots”.  Following discussion the bill was placed on the informal calendar.

HB 1296 Modifies provision relating to corporate income taxes and advertisement of assumption of sales tax.

Sen. Will Kraus began by adding an amendment to this bill concerning graphing calculators and their addition to the sales tax language of the bill.  Sen. Kraus cited the need for children to have graphing calculators while in school and how most of today’s graphing calculators pricing starts at over $100.  The amendment was passed by a voice vote.

3:00

House Bills for Third reading

HB 1495 Creates a new program for disbursing grants through Early Stage Business Development Corporations

The adoption motion for the senate substitute got under way as the bill’s need was questioned by Sen. Lamping who thought this was a huge misappropriation of tax dollars.  Sen. Lamping reflected on individual non-taxpayer supported efforts to grow small business, and how he views that as more necessary than the language in the bill before him.  A voice vote was taken on the third reading which passed receiving 26 votes of aye.