HB 1590 -- PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

SPONSOR:  Backer

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Governmental Organization and Review by a vote of 10 to 1.

Under current law, a state agency or state official may not
prohibit a state employee from communicating with his or her
State Representative or Senator or require the employee to
provide a record of such communication.  This bill applies this
provision to communications of state employees with the State
Auditor.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that state employees could be
dismissed for disclosing information they think is true.  This
bill gives employees the freedom to talk to the Auditor's office
without fear.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Backer; State
Auditor's Office; and Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

HB 1590 -- Public Employees

Sponsor:  Backer

Under current law, a state agency or state official may not
prohibit a state employee from communicating with his or her
State Representative or Senator or require the employee to
provide a record of such communication.  This bill applies this
provision to communications of state employees with the State
Auditor.