Rep. Patricia Pike's Weekly Report

Jefferson City, MO – What a beautiful site it has been at the Missouri Capitol! The trees have been filled with pink and white blooms around the building and the guests have been enjoying sunny weather for their Capitol visits. We had a busy week in the House discussing many legislative topics.

House Moves to Strengthen Senate Ethics Reform Bill (SB 11)

The members of the Missouri House returned from their annual Spring Break to discuss and pass legislation that would strengthen the state’s ethics laws. The House took up a bill already approved by the Senate that would limit lobbyist gifts and restrict lawmakers from becoming lobbyists. After lengthy discussion and several amendments, the House built on the work of the Senate and created an even tougher bill that contains stricter provisions.

Supporters said the bill represents an important step toward increasing the people’s trust in their elected officials. The bill now has to return to the Senate where the other chamber can either accept the changes made in the House and send them to the governor, or send it to a conference committee where selected members will try to iron out any differences between the two chambers.

Missouri House to Consider Municipal Court Reform (SB 5)

House Speaker John Diehl held a press conference Wednesday to outline his plan to protect Missourians from excessive fees and fines sometimes levied by municipalities around the state. Diehl said the House will move quickly to pass legislation that will shut down these so-called “speed traps” by limiting the amount of revenue municipalities can generate from traffic violations. Current law caps the amount of revenue that can be generated from traffic tickets at 30 percent. House Speaker Diehl anticipates the House version will lower that amount to 20 percent, or possibly 10 percent.

The bill also would take several other steps to ensure additional accountability within the municipal court system, including:

· Requiring courts to factor a defendant’s ability to pay into the sentence as well as utilize payment plans, alternative sentences, and community service in prescribing sentences;

· Specifying that municipalities must submit an annual financial report accounting the total revenue derived from minor traffic violations;

· Providing all defendants who are arrested without a warrant with the opportunity to be heard by a judge no less than 36 hours after arrest;

· Preventing courts from issuing failure to appear charges against defendants; and

· Developing procedures by which the State Auditor’s office will monitor and enforce compliance of municipalities with the revenue derivation requirements.

House Approves Measure to Limit State Spending (HJR 34)

Under a plan approved by the House this week, voters would have the opportunity to put limits in place that would check the growth of state spending. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow spending to grow based on an appropriations growth limit determined by inflation and increases in population. Revenues beyond the limit would be used to fill a Budget Reserve Fund, and then to reduce state income tax rates.

Supporters say the proposed constitutional amendment will limit the growth of government spending, provide long-term fiscal planning and rainy day funds, help balance the economic highs and lows, protect programs and funding, reduce income tax rates, and create a better business environment.

If approved by both chambers of the General Assembly, the measure would go before voters for their approval in November 2016.

Legislation Approved to Allow for New Model of Medical Care (HB 769)

With the goal of putting the emphasis in health care back on the well-being of the patient and the patient’s relationship with his or her physician, the Missouri House approved legislation this week to pave the way for a Direct Primary Care model of health care delivery. The sponsor of the bill compared the model to having a doctor on retainer in much the same way a client would keep an attorney on retainer. The sponsor also made it clear that in this model insurance is not involved.

In the arrangement, the patient would pay a set monthly fee and could then receive all the direct primary care they need. Under the bill, patients would be able to pay for these services with pre-tax dollars from a health savings account. In addition, employers could offer to pay these fees or reimburse their employees who choose to participate in direct primary care arrangement.

Supporters of the idea see it as a way to avoid the bureaucratic maze that is too often part of modern health care, and instead allow doctors to focus on providing the best possible care to their patients.

House Pauses to Honor Vietnam Veterans

House members paused from legislative activity on Monday to honor several Vietnam veterans who made the trip to the State Capitol. Members recognized and thanked the heroes in attendance as part of the observation of the state’s third annual Vietnam Veterans Day.

It was in 2012 that the General Assembly passed legislation to establish an annual Vietnam Veterans Day on March 30 of each year. The day is meant to encourage Missourians to honor those who served during the Vietnam conflict with appropriate activities, events and remembrances. According to the Veterans’ Administration, there are more than 171,000 Vietnam-era veterans living in Missouri.

Contact Representative Pike or her legislative assistant, Beth Rohrback, at the Missouri House of Representatives at 573-751-5388 or e-mail them at Patricia.Pike@house.mo.gov for assistance on State Issues and to receive Capitol Reports electronically.

Rep. Patricia Pike's Weekly Report