Priorities of the Missouri House – Capitol Report
By Chuck Gatschenberger
May 2, 2009
Jefferson City, MO
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed many priorities this year. Here is a list of the bills that have passed the Missouri House and await action by the Missouri Senate.
Drug Testing for Recipients of Welfare
HB 30 – Requires the Department of Social Services to test applicants for or recipients of Welfare Benefits for the illegal use of controlled substances.
Create the Crime of Coercing an Abortion
HB 46 – Changes the laws regarding the consent requirements for obtaining an abortion and creates the crime of coercing an abortion.
Prohibit Illegal Aliens from Enrolling in Higher Education
HB 390 – Prohibits the enrollment of unlawfully present aliens in public institutions of higher education.
Guarantee the Right to Pray in Public Places
HJR 11 – Proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen’s First Amendment right to pray on public property and reaffirming a citizen’s right to choose any or no religion.
Adjust Income Tax Brackets to Give Tax Relief to Middle Class
HB 64 – Revises the Missouri Individual income tax rate schedule and increases the federal tax deduction for the individual income tax.
Eliminate the Franchise Tax on Small Businesses
HB 86 – Increases the outstanding shares and surplus threshold amount used to calculate a corporation’s franchise tax.
Expansion of the Castle Doctrine and the Business Premises Safety Act
HB 170 – Establishes the Business Premises Safety Act.
HB 668 – Abolishes the duty to retreat in cases where an owner or lessor of property encounters a threat while present on his or her lands.
Economic Development
HB 191 – Eliminates the cap for tax credits issued under the Missouri Quality Jobs Program.
Hunter Voter Registration
HB 568 – Requires the local offices and resident hunting and fishing permit vendors of the Department of Conservation to make a voter registration application form available to all resident permit applicants.
Independence Day Sales Tax Holiday
HB 952 – Establishes the Independence Day Sales Tax Holiday
Judicial Reform
HJR 10 – Proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the number of Governor-appointed citizens serving on the Appellate Judicial Commission and the number of candidates nominated for vacancies.
Tax Payer Bill of Rights
HJR 23 – Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting appropriations in any fiscal year from exceeding certain limits.
Fair Tax
HJR 36 – Proposes a constitutional amendment which would replace income taxes, sales and use taxes, and estate taxes with a sales tax on new retail sales and services.
BRYAN FAHS JOINS REPRESENTATIVE’S OFFICE
Starting last Monday, Lake Saint Louis resident Bryan Fahs joined Representative Gatschenberger’s office as his Legislative Intern. Fahs, a student of Culver Stockton College, will be completing his internship through the end of the Legislative Session. We are happy to have him!
STAY IN TOUCH
As always, please let me know your thoughts about these or other matters of concern by calling my office at 573-751-3572 or by e-mailing me at chuck.gatschenberger@house.mo.gov.
MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CHUCK GATSCHENBERGER
CHAIRMAIN – FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
MAJORITY CAUCUS DEPUTY WHIP
DISTRICT 13
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