HB 526 -- ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING COMMISSION

SPONSOR:  Pratt

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 10 to 0.

Currently, all authority to hear administrative appeals regarding
the rules on environmental control, mining, natural resources,
air conservation, and water conservation is vested in the
Administrative Hearing Commission.  This bill authorizes the
commission to recommend decisions based on comments from the
parties, consent order, agreed settlement or by disposition of a
default judgment, judgment on the pleadings, or summary judgment.
The same authority will be granted to the Hazardous Waste
Management Commission, Land Reclamation Commission, Safe Drinking
Water Commission, Air Conservation Commission, and Clean Water
Commission in order to make final decisions in their specified
areas of regulation.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill increases the
efficiency of the Administrative Hearing Commission in handling
cases and allows for an easier disposition of cases where there
is no issue of fact.  Currently, in cases before the commission
where there is no issue of fact, the commission cannot rule by a
summary judgment.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Pratt; Missouri Bar
Association; Associated Industries of Missouri; St. Louis
Regional Chamber and Growth Association; Roger A. Walker; and
Norella Huggins.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am