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May 7, 2010

The Missouri General Assembly will enter its final week of the 2010 session beginning Monday.

In a rather bizarre week the House and Senate seem to be jockeying to see who could put in the least time working. Obviously, the intention is too slow to a point where legislation is not passed. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Both chambers were adjourning early this week. Normally the pace is intense the last few weeks. As the budget was passed one week early the urgency seems to have been lost.

The majority of bills to reorganize state government that were needed to balance the budget have yet to be passed and the word is the General Assembly probably won’t pass these bills dealing with education, retirement and economic development then let the Governor make additional “withholds” to the budget.

News this week includes

Food Preparation
Senator Engler the Senate Majority Leader added Senate Amendment 2 to HB 1290.

The amendment exempts agriculture facilities from food inspection on prepaid tours of the facility.

Engler is doing this for a ranch in his district. It does set a precedent.

I have talked to the House sponsor of HB 1290 and visited with Patrick Lynn DHSS about having Margaret Donnelly calling Senator Engler

I will work in this more next week. If Engler really pushes this it will be hard to stop.

SA 2 to SCS to HCS to HB 1290:
House bill 1290, Page 185, Section 190.056, Line 11, by inserting after all of said line the following:

“196.273.an agricultural facility that raises animals for human consumption and prepares
and
offers food as a meal to consumers as part of a prepaid tour of the facility shall be exempt from all
state laws and regulations relating to food inspection under sections 196.190 to 196.271, so long as:

  • The consumer is informed by statements contained in published advertisements, mailed brochures, and placards in the dining area that the food is prepared in a kitchen that is not regulated
  • The prepared meal is not sold separately.

Health Care Reform
Senator Jane Cunningham did not pass constitutional amendment SJR 25 allowing for a vote to “opt out” of the federal health care reform package passed by Congress.

Instead, Republican Senators attached the “opt out” language to legislation (HB 1764) calling for a vote in August. This was the best the Senate could do and as it is a direct referral for a vote the Governor cannot veto.

Obviously, this is a political move to turn out conservative voters. However, by having an August vote all it does is turn out primary voters.

If passed, Missourians would be free to simply ignore the federal plan remain uninsured and to continue to pass costs along to those who carry insurance.

Alcohol/ Tobacco
Senator Shields added his amendment to HB 1868 transferring the duties of the Department of Public Safety for alcohol and tobacco enforcement to the Department of Revenue.

All the enforcement will fall to local law enforcement. This is another example of pushing obligations back to local jurisdictions without compensation. Shields language on SB 1057 was stalled.

Next Week
The Missouri General Assembly wraps up a bizarre session on Friday May 14th at 6:00pm.

Please note there will be no legislative reports sent on May 14th as the legislature will still be in session. An end of session report will be sent during the following week.

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