JEFFERSON CITY, MO: It was an honor to present a Missouri House of Representatives Resolution to Command Sergeant Major Donald Hubbard May 12th at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis. Originally from our District, Donald has a distinguished service record and is taking on increased command responsibilities in Missouri. Our sincere appreciation to him for his dedication and commitment on our behalf. Also attending the ceremony were his parents, Donna and Donald Hubbard (Adrian), family and friends.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: This was testimony week for my sponsored House Bill HB1329 regarding the regulation of powdered, crystal, and capsule alcohol. These products are anticipated for a summer release date in MO unless regulation halts it. Testifying with me included the Missouri Poison Center, MO Narcotics Officers Association, MO College of Emergency Physicians, Missouri Family Network, American Academy of Pediatrics-MO Chapter, Crossroads Program, Missouri ACT, MSTA and PTA. There was no opposing testimony. Misuse and overuse of these dehydrated alcohol products are anticipated to be health risks for Missouri citizens, especially for youth. The bill is moving forward. Other legislation this week included.
Saving the Lives of Overdose Victims (HB 538)
Last year the Missouri General Assembly approved a new law to allow first responders to carry and use an antidote that has proven effective in saving the lives of individuals who overdose on heroin or other opioids. This year the House has moved to further increase access to this life-saving medication by authorizing legislation that would allow pharmacists to prescribe the drug to anyone. Supporters say increasing access to the drug, which is commonly referred to as Naloxone or Narcan, has the potential to allow parents and friends to save the life of a loved one who overdoses.
As the sponsor of the bill told House members during floor discussion, most overdoses occur in the home and oftentimes someone else is in the home at the time of the overdose. Because Missouri has seen a spike in the use of heroin, and heroin-related deaths, the sponsor said it is time to put this life-saving antidote in the hands of those who can quickly administer it before tragedy strikes.
Supporters of the bill noted that states that have increased access to Naloxone have seen deaths from overdoses drop dramatically. They also pointed out that the drug can be administered as a nasal spray and has no negative side effects.
House Approves Senior Savings Protection Act (HBs 636 & 645)
The Missouri House approved legislation this week designed to protect older Missourians from financial exploitation. Known as the Senior Savings Protection Act, the legislation would allow financial agents to take action to prevent suspected fraudulent activity that could victimize Missouri seniors.
The bill passed by the House would let a financial agent refuse to disburse funds in the event they suspect a senior or disabled adult client is being defrauded. The agent would then have time to notify the family of the client and the proper authorities. Current law does not allow a financial agent to raise concerns to anyone not named on the account.
As supporters of the change said on the floor, the act would provide better financial protection for the senior population, which is extremely vulnerable and currently sees one of out every five seniors victimized by fraud.
International Business Attraction Bill Receives House Approval (HB 918)
The members of the Missouri House came together this week to support efforts to attract businesses from overseas to the Show-Me State. The bill creates the Missouri International Business Advertising Fund to provide funding for advertising that will promote the benefits of relocating an international business to Missouri. Supporters said that many companies are in the process of relocating their manufacturing facilities back to the United States, and the bill will better position Missouri to attract some of these businesses.
Missouri House Approves Repeal of Motorcycle Helmet Requirement (HB 523)
Adult motorcycle riders would be able to enjoy the road without a helmet under legislation approved by the House this week. The bill allows riders who are at least 21 years old and have adequate insurance to be exempt from the state’s helmet requirement. Supporters of the change cited the need for personal freedom so that riders can decide whether they want to wear a helmet. They also said repealing the helmet law would attract motorcycle events to Missouri that would lead to additional job creation and economic development.
Data Center Bill Signed into Law (SB 149)
Last week the governor signed a bill into law that is designed to bring new data storage businesses to Missouri. The House and Senate had passed the legislation ahead of the General Assembly’s annual Spring Break. The bill is now set to take effect on August 28 of this year.
The new law creates a powerful tool to help bring data center sites and the jobs they create to Missouri. It will allow data centers to forego sales and use tax on the purchase of equipment and materials when expanding or building a new facility. To qualify, an existing facility will have to invest at least $5 million and create 5 new jobs for an expansion. A new facility will need to invest $25 million and create 10 new jobs to qualify. The new jobs will have to pay 150 percent over the county average wage.
Governor Signs Bills to Support Missouri’s Agriculture Industry (HB 259 and SB 12)
The governor also took time last week to sign into law two pieces of legislation designed to further strengthen Missouri’s multi-billion-dollar agriculture industry. The governor signed the Dairy Revitalization Act (HB 259) that takes a three-pronged approach to support the state’s struggling dairy industry. The bill is meant to stem the tide of dairy farm closings that have taken place in Missouri and throughout the nation. The goal of the bill is to protect the 23,000 jobs that are either directly or indirectly related to the dairy industry.
The new law will create a dairy producer margin insurance premium assistance program to provide financial protection to dairy farmers when times get tough. It also will create a scholarship program to encourage young people to pursue careers in agriculture. Finally, the bill will require an annual study and a corresponding plan to enhance and grow the dairy industry in Missouri.
The governor also signed SB 12 to allow trucks to haul larger loads of cattle and grain during harvest season, and protect livestock farmers from liability if someone is injured on their farm.
Both bills are now set to become law on August 28.
House Moves to Bolster Missouri’s Port System (HB 110)
The House sent legislation to the Senate this week that is designed to spur additional trade and economic development through Missouri’s vital port system. The legislation would authorize three different tax credits to create growth in international trade and cargo capacity for ports across the state of Missouri.
Supporters said the bill will lead to job creation and economic growth. The bill sponsor noted that investment in Missouri’s ports provides a 15 to 1 return. Supporters also cited the importance of reducing traffic on Missouri’s highways by encouraging more cargo transportation by barge.
The bill also includes taxpayer safety provisions so that the tax credit will only be used if companies increase their use of Missouri ports, which will provide an overall benefit to the state. In addition, it requires the Department of Economic Development to deliver a report detailing the benefits provided by the tax credits to the General Assembly prior to March 1, 2017 and every two years thereafter
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Capital Report - Rep. Patricia Pike
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