Mid-session legislative report

The Missouri House of Representatives has reached the middle of the 2005 regular session, and we've accomplished quite a bit. We began this session by identifying some key issues that had to be addressed immediately and pledging to fix these problems. Problems in the courts, a lack of jobs, and several pressing social problems were recognized as being in need of immediate action. With the help of a positive, bipartisan atmosphere in the House, a cooperative governor, and a lot of hard work, we've taken steps to create jobs, improve our economy, and make Missouri an even better place to live.

The important reforms that we've passed are due in large part to the new spirit of bipartisanship that characterizes this session. The House now operates under bipartisan rules that give members of both parties equal time to debate important issues, which has reduced the amount of partisan bickering that, in the past, prevented important legislation from becoming law. Members of both parties have put aside political differences and worked together to craft and pass legislation that will make Missouri a stronger state.

Governor Blunt has already demonstrated his commitment to passing the important reforms that our state desperately needs. The executive branch is now working with the House and Senate instead of against them, leaving political squabbling behind and making positive changes for the people of Missouri.

One of the areas in which we've made positive change is in our legal system. For years, businesses and doctors in Missouri have operated in a climate of fear due to the outrageous amount of unnecessary lawsuits filed here in Missouri. Our state has lost jobs, revenue, and doctors because of frivolous lawsuits. This year the House and Senate sent to the Governor House Bill 393, that will greatly reduce the amount of unnecessary lawsuits in this state and ensuring that our health care providers are not forced out of Missouri. House Bill 394, the companion bill to HB 393 which is currently under discussion, also helps to protect doctors from skyrocketing malpractice insurance rates by reforming malpractice insurance laws.

In addition to important legal reforms, the House has passed legislation to attract new businesses and industries to Missouri, creating new, good-paying jobs for Missourians.

A bill sent to the Governor's desk this week closes many of the loopholes currently available to those who would cheat the workers' compensation system, but still ensures that workers who are injured on the job receive the benefits they deserve. The bill keeps individuals who are hurt on the job due to illegal drugs or alcohol, or involved in traffic accidents on their way to or from work because they were under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, from getting taxpayer-funded benefits.

The bill also strengthens existing protection for workers by increasing the penalties for employers who don't carry required workers' compensation insurance.

Eliminating this fraud and abuse in the workers' compensation system will give our employers more revenue with which to expand their businesses and create new jobs, while increasing protection for workers.

The House also made changes to the Missouri linked deposits program. Now, financial institutions will be better able to make lower-rate interest loans to certain types of agri-businesses and job enhancement businesses. The reforms in this bill will assist new businesses and farms as they start out, resulting in new jobs.

In addition to strengthening the linked deposits program, House Bill 135 was passed by the House for the specific purpose of creating jobs. HB 135 expands the Missouri BUILD plan, which provides incentives for Missouri companies to generate and retain jobs within our state. Another job creation bill currently being debated, HB 576, protects small businesses in this state from unfair action by the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, ensuring that our hometown employers will thrive and continue to provide jobs to our local communities.

We also addressed several very important social issues, one of the most important being methamphetamines. House Bill 441 makes it harder for individuals who produce methamphetamines to obtain the materials needed to produce that drug. It is a strong step to eliminating this problem that plagues our local communities. In addition to protecting our state from meth, the House also preserved the second amendment rights of our citizens. House Bill 365 allows county sheriff's offices to use money from their revolving funds to cover the cost of performing background checks and issuing permits for the conceal and carry program. It also ensures that if a sheriff's office incurs costs due to the conceal and carry program not covered by the $100 processing fee, the money will be reimbursed by the state. This will allow every law-abiding citizen to exercise the right to conceal and carry.

The House also took steps to defend our seniors and disabled citizens with House Bill 229, a fix to homestead act that limits increases in property tax.

It will make the process easier and help ensure that those on a fixed income aren't being taxed beyond their means.

The young girls of Missouri will be protected by House Bill 100, which makes it illegal to transport a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion without parental consent. This bill will ensure that the safeguards that we have put in place continue to protect minors, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

We not only passed bills to protect citizens here at home, but also passed House Bills 94, 163, and 437 to recognize the heroic actions of the men and women who defend our country.

HB94 provide educational grants to the children and spouses of soldiers killed in the line of duty. Our veterans are honored by HB 163, which issues medals and certificates to Missouri residents who have served in the armed forces during wartime. HB 437 creates a fund to provide grants to families of National Guard or Armed Forces reservists who were called to active duty after the attacks of September 11, 2001. These are the people who defend our freedom, and they deserve the very best their country can provide for them.

We also have a strong commitment to improve education in Missouri. House Bill 98 changed the names of several of our institutions of higher education.

The name changes better reflect the higher standards of learning that these colleges and universities set for Missouri's students.

The Missouri House of Representatives has enacted several critical reforms during the first half of this session and I look forward to the important issues that we will face during the remainder of the session.

The bipartisan atmosphere in the capitol will allow us to be just as cooperative and productive during the second half of the session as we were during the first. Our state is heading in a new, more positive direction with a stronger economy, more jobs, and a return to the core values that made this country great.

Contact Barney Fisher by phone at (800)382-4123 or (573)751-5388 or write to Representative Barney Fisher, State Capitol, Room 201B, Jefferson City, MO 65101.