2016 Capitol Report II

2016 CAPITOL REPORT II

January 11 - 14

ANNOUNCING: OPEN OFFICE HOURS!

Open office hours for constituents of District 147 will be held in my Cape office beginning Friday, January 22, 2016. No appointment is necessary. Please stop by for a visit! As always, you may continue to email, call, or write regarding any idea, issue, or legislation.

DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS

Fridays – January through April

2:00-4:00 PM

1606 N. Kingshighway

573.751.1443

HOUSE ACTION

Four ethics reform bills were Third Read and Passed this week with overwhelming bi-partisan support:

HB1452 – Changes the filing deadline for personal financial disclosure reports from May 10 annually to Jan 15 and July 15 biannually.

HB1575 – Requires officials to timely disclose lodging and travel expenses incurred by the official, the official’s spouse, the official’s family that are paid by a third person for expenses.

HB1979 – Imposes a one session rule for lobbying by former members of the General Assembly, by former statewide elected officials, and by former holders of an office that required Senate confirmation

HB1983 – Specifies that no statewide elected official or member of the General Assembly shall serve as a paid political consultant.

HOUSE BILL CALENDAR: http://www.house.mo.gov/DailyCalendar.aspx

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARING SCHEDULE: http://www.house.mo.gov/HearingsDateOrder.aspx

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding the re-authorization of the federal education act (ESSA – Every Student Succeeds Act). A power point presentation prepared by the Department is attached to this Capitol Report email. If you would like an audio recording of the presentation, please contact us (573.751.1443).

ESSA gives the states more flexibility and authority in the education of students, particularly in the areas of assessments and accountability. We are awaiting the promulgation of the federal rules, since the act was recently passed in December 2015. The rule promulgation will provide more information regarding the impact on our state and lend direction for our Missouri State Board of Education toward implementation.

At the next meeting of the committee, various education groups and stakeholders will present their 2016 legislative agenda regarding K-12 education.

ACTIVITY ON SPONSORED BILLS: http://www.house.mo.gov/billreport.aspx?select=xSponsorDistrict:147&sortopti...

HB1612 – Requires the State Board of Education to establish minimum requirements for a career and technical education.Committee hearing scheduled 1/19/16.

HB1608 – “Pill Mill” regulation bill. Committee hearing scheduled 1/19/16.

CAPITOL VISITORS:

It was a pleasure visiting with Ken Bateman (President &CEO of SoutheastHEALTH) at the Capitol!

Linda Reutzel made the trip to work on our Child Custody Bill (HB 2055): http://www.house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HB2055&year=2016&code=R

Linda has been energy and driving force behind this legislation. Her passion for the issue and tireless pursuit of information regarding this nationwide issue is very commendable!!

Dr. Kyle Brost attended the annual meeting of the Missouri Optometric Association. Very active in the organization, Dr. Brost is a past optometric council President.

Our district was very well represented at the Missouri Dental Association event by local dentists Dr. Bob Fox, Dr. Ross Bennett, and Dr. Jim Fox. Dr. Jim Fox serves as a board trustee for the association and Dr. Ross Bennett serves as a representative on the MODentPAC. Dr. Bob Fox is a past president of the association, as well.

Many thanks to all of you for visiting our Capitol and for your contributions to our community!