Last week Missouri’s Supreme Court threw out a 2015 law that preempted Missouri’s cities from raising the minimum wage. This week, in an effort to prevent Saint Louis from raising its minimum wage, the House fast-tracked legislation that, once again, aims to preempt municipalities that wish to raise their minimum wage. The measure was approved by the House by a vote of 112-46 and will now be sent to the Senate.
HOUSE APPROVES TIME LIMITED DEMAND AND RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
On Thursday the House approved Rep. Bruce DeGroot’s (R-Chesterfield) measure that deals with settling tort claims. DeGroot’s legislation, which will now be sent to the Senate, includes two important provisions referred to as Time Limited Demand and Reservation of Rights which will ensure insurance providers have adequate time and information when making decisions about settling claims.
RIDE SHARING DEBATED IN SENATE
The Senate spent several hours debating a bill that would have created a statewide framework for ride sharing which would allow companies like Lyft to operate in all corners of Missouri. Proponents of the bill, including House Speaker Todd Richardson and Senate Assistant Floor Leader Bob Onder, are supportive because ride sharing will create thousands of jobs across the state and send a clear message that Missouri welcomes innovation. However, after several hours of debate, largely unrelated to ride sharing, the bill was laid over.
HOUSE SENDS VENUE/JOINDER LEGISLATION TO THE SENATE
The House approved several pieces of legislation that would limit a plaintiff’s ability to combine lawsuits and require plaintiffs to individually establish the county or district where a case is held. The controversial measure was approved by a vote of 100-54. Supporters of the measure claim that current law allows too many suits to be brought to Saint Louis while opponents of the legislation say the measure will prohibit Missourians from working together to fight deceptive practices.
HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL REMOVING RENTERS FROM THE CIRCUIT BREAKER TAX CREDIT
Amid a $580 million budget deficit, the House budget committee voted to save more than $60 million by repealing the “circuit breaker” credit for seniors and disabled renters. The legislators who support the repeal claim the tax credit was intended to offset property taxes paid by seniors who own their homes. Opponents of the repeal claim landlords pass the property tax on their rental property on to their senior residents. Budget chair, Scott Fitzpatrick, wants to use the money keep people in nursing homes or for meal programs for senior citizens.
HOUSE LITIGATION REFORM COMMITTEE ADVANCES SENATE BILL DEALING WITH ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS
A measure that provides that in an arbitration agreement between an employer and an at-will employee the arbitrator shall make all initial decisions was advanced from a House committee. The bill also establishes criteria for when the arbitrator shall determine that the arbitration agreement is valid, and that the arbitrator must be mutually agreed on by both parties. The bill will now be sent to the House Rules Committee where it must be voted on before it can be sent to the House Floor for debate.
THE COMMITTEE FOR SIMPLE, FAIR AND LOW TAXES HOLDS FIRST MEETING
Gov. Eric Greitens’ Committee for Simple, Fair, and Low Taxes met in Jefferson City yesterday. At this first organizational meeting, the committee defined its goal and outlined the structure they will use to achieve it. The committee aims to create a tax structure that is more business friendly and conducive to job creation. They will be organized into three subcommittees: tax credits, income tax, and sales/consumption tax. The committee will host four town hall style meetings across Missouri to gather public input. The committee has not released the date or location of its next meeting.
THE SENATE CONFIRMED THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS FROM GOVERNOR GREITENS:
• Darryl M. Chatman, Democrat, as a member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators
• Jamie L. Farmer, Republican, as a member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators
• Jeffrey L. Layman, Republican, as a member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators
• Col. Sandra Karsten, as Superintendent of the Missouri Highway Patrol
