Lawmakers Wrap Up 2007 Session,
Lawmakers Wrap Up 2007 Session,
57 Senate Bills Become Law
Jefferson City – During the final week of session, legislators worked quickly to complete several key legislative issues. The deadline for completing legislation was 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18.
A late night of negotiations and a morning of debate led to the passage of Senate Bill 577, which changes the name of Missouri’s state sponsored healthcare to MO HealthNet. The new plan focuses on wellness and prevention rather than just treating sickness. The bill also includes provisions to prevent and punish fraud in the healthcare program and asks healthcare providers to keep records tracking accountability.
Like I said last week, I didn’t vote for the final version of the bill because it doesn’t restore health care services to those who lost them two years ago. We still have more children uninsured under this bill than we did before the cuts in 2005; you can still be a senior living in poverty and not have access to health care. We did not fully restore the MAWD Program, which makes no sense because in my opinion, you should be able to work and still get health care benefits. Let every person who has a disability work and be able to get health care.
Senate Bill 62, which went to the governor last week, overturns a number of court decisions that require Missourians to retreat or await physical aggression before using deadly force against people who break into their homes or vehicles. Also called the Castle Doctrine, the legislation prevents frivolous lawsuits against those that use force in their defense.
The bill also repeals the requirement that Missouri residents must get permits from their local sheriff before buying a handgun. Other provisions in SB 62 include allowing people who have law enforcement training to skip weapons handling courses in order to get a concealed weapon permit, allowing law enforcement departments to sell confiscated weapons, and putting mental health information in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to determine eligibility to buy guns.
Legislation creating renewable energy targets for electric companies received approval from both the House and Senate. Under SB54, electric companies will need to make a “good faith effort” to ensure a percentage of their retail electric sales come from renewable energy technology. The legislation creates benchmarks of 4 percent by 2012, 8 percent by 2015, and 11 percent by 2020. The Public Service Commission will measure the progress of electric companies and will report the progress every two years.
The bill also allows for yard waste to be disposed of in bioreactor landfills— environmentally friendly landfills engineered to quickly break down waste. The gases created by the breakdown of the yard waste will be used as an alternative energy source in places like Columbia. The Missouri Ethanol and Other Renewable Fuel Sources Commission will receive the more streamlined name of the Missouri Alternative Fuels Commission under the new law. The goals of the commission are to promote and educate the public on alternative fuels. The legislation also requires 70 percent of state fleet vehicles to be flexible fuel vehicles.
Another new law created in the final week will strengthen penalties for those selling controlled substances in or around parks. SB 198 makes it a Class A felony to distribute controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a public or state park. Fishing, hunting, trapping or retrieving wildlife on private land without permission has become a Class B misdemeanor under the new law. Individuals could also loose fishing or hunting licenses for a year in such instances.
Last Friday marked the final day of the First Regular Session of the 94th Missouri General Assembly. In 2007, 710 bills were introduced in the Senate, and 57 were passed by both chambers. Lawmakers convene again in 2008 for the Second Regular Session of the 94th Missouri General Assembly.
If you have questions or comments about this or any other issue, please feel free to contact me at 573-751-7852.