JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri State Representative Rick Francis has released his latest Capitol Report.
Missouri House Approves Plan to Legalize Sports Betting (HBs 2502 & 2556)
Missourians would be able to wager on college and professional sports under legislation approved by the House this week. Nearly 30 states, including many of Missouri’s neighboring states, have adopted legislation to allow some form of wagering on sporting events.
HB 2502 would implement an 8% tax on sports wagers. Fiscal analysts estimate the tax would generate approximately $10 million annually for the state. The legislation has the support of all of the state’s professional sports teams and five of the six companies that operate casinos in Missouri. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Lawmakers Act to Protect the Rights of Landowners (HB 2005)
We took action this week to protect landowners from having their property unlawfully seized through the misuse of eminent domain. This is a direct response to the Grain Belt Express project that has the authority to use eminent domain to acquire land in Missouri.
This bill is a response to the landowners who are pleading with the legislature for help. It provides just compensation for landowners when their land is being taken from them and it’s being condemned.
HB 2005 would require that any electrical corporation that proposes building a transmission line must provide a minimum of 50% of its electrical load to Missouri consumers to be considered a public service and to be allowed to condemn property to construct the transmission. The bill also specifies that in condemnation proceedings, just compensation for agricultural or horticultural land will be 150% of fair market value, which will be determined by the court.
The bill now requires another positive vote in the House before moving to the Senate.
Making Prescription Medications More Affordable (HB 1677)
Missourians could see lower prescription drug costs thanks to legislation we approved. House members gave first-round approval to HB 1677 with the goal of improving transparency and accountability for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Missouri.
This bill offers transparency. It shows where the rebate money goes and as you look at where the rebate money goes, you will determine that these PBMs are actually pocketing some of the rebate money that they collect that should be going back to the patients. This is a bill that puts the money back in the patients’ hands instead of paying shareholders’ dividends.”
The bill now requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate.
Bills Sent to the Senate
HB 2694 is meant to lessen the increases Missourians will see in their property taxes due to rising vehicle values. The bill modifies existing state law, which requires assessors to use the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) price guide to assess the values of Missourians’ cars. Instead of being restricted to using October’s NADA values, HB 2694 would allow assessors to use the trade-in value for a given vehicle from that edition or either of the last two years’ October NADA guides. Supporters say the market price of vehicles has increased 30 to 40 percent and the bill would allow for prices to stabilize without a large increase in Missourians’ personal property taxes.
If you have any questions regarding any state matters or legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact email me at Rick.Francis@house.mo.gov or call 573-751-5912.
If you would like to sign up for my capital report following this link: https://house.mo.gov/CapitolReport.aspx?district=145.