My legislation this week:
Two of my bills were placed on the House calendar and discussed on the House floor:
HB 644 was 3rd read & passed out of the House with a unanimous vote of 153 Ayes & 0 Noes. This bill has moved to the Senate and has been first read this week. This bill removed regulatory language that was in the way of Hemp growers.
HB 725 was debated on the House floor and now needs one more vote before going to the Senate. This bill creates a specific penalty provision for ATM (automated teller machines) smash & grab crimes. Currently, there is no specific crime for tampering with ATMs. Perpetrators may be charged with theft or property damage but there are inconsistencies within courtrooms across our state and this bill will create uniform penalties. Typically smash and grab crimes involve theft of a large truck or piece of heavy equipment and a tow chain is used to rip the ATM out. The ATM is then taken somewhere they feel it’s safe to smash it open and grab the cash out. ATMs are not cheap and can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000. Supply chain is currently making it difficult for these machines to be replaced. In some areas of the state, an ATM is the only means to directly access essential financial services. This bill also addresses “skimming devices” which could be used on ATMs to steal personal information. HB 725 adds a definition for ATMs and makes it a felony for damaging, stealing or using skimming devices.
In 2019 there were two reported cases of ATM smash & grab
In 2021 – there were 28
In 2022 – a spokesperson from the Highway Patrol reported upper 20s (almost 30) machines again were tampered with
Columbia Missourian article on MO House initial approval of HB 725:
https://www.columbiamissourian.com/…/article_bb11cc9c…
Bill updates:
1. HB 643 was heard and voted out of the Insurance Policy committee meeting this week. We have to have insurance to drive on Missouri roads, however 1 out of every 7 vehicles on the road today is uninsured, therefore, I filed HB 643, a motorist bill that will establish online verification of motor vehicle insurance. Insurance carriers are already sending who policy holders are to the Department of Revenue (DOR). DOR has every vehicle identification number (VIN). So, with a new online verification program it can match car owner insurance with the VIN number. If there’s not a match, the vehicle owner will receive notice and have 30 days to acquire insurance coverage. If no response, a second notice which will state the date of suspension and procedure for hearing or a diversion option. The diversion option includes a fee not to exceed $200 and owner must agree to maintain insurance for two years. If still no response, the matter is referred to the office of a local prosecuting attorney.
This bill is not designed to be punitive but intended to be helpful to maintain insurance which is required by law. Courtrooms across our state hear case after case where uninsured motorists are sued for the damages they have caused in traffic accidents.
2. HB 487 establishes the “Don Welge Memorial Bridge” on the Missouri portion of the new bridge on State Highway 51 crossing over the Mississippi River in Perry County to the Missouri/Illinois state line. This bill was placed on the informal perfection calendar and has been committed to the House Committee on Legislative Review.
Lawmakers Approve Historic Tax Relief Package (HBs 816 & 660)
HBs 816 & 660 is an income tax cut. It will cut Missouri’s top rate of personal income tax from 4.9% to 4.5% as of the beginning of next year. It will also cut Missouri’s corporate income tax in half, from 4% to 2%, and add triggers that could reduce the corporate income tax to 0% if revenue targets are met.
HB 816 & 660 will allow workers to keep more of what they have earned and businesses to reinvest their profits. If you look at the states that are growing, look at states like Tennessee and Texas and Florida, and you look at what they are doing, they’re growing their economy. There’s more jobs, more business investment, more growth, more population growth. What are those states doing? They’re cutting taxes. They’re giving more money back to their people, keeping it in the pockets of the people and not of the government. They’re not growing the government. They’re growing their communities and the economies and their businesses, and that’s what we need to do.
The final component of the bill would exempt social security benefits from state tax. The trend nationally is at the state level to not tax social security and we would like to make Missouri the next domino in that path. We want to encourage retirees to come to the state of Missouri.