Journal of the House

First Regular Session, 94th General Assembly

TWENTIETH DAY, Wednesday, February 7, 2007

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

            Speaker Jetton in the Chair.

            Prayer by Reverend James Earl Jackson.

              Heavenly Father, our hope is in You; we hang on Your every Word. We trust You.

              We know You have a plan for us: a plan to prosper us, not to harm You. Plans to give us a future filled with hope. You have set that plan in motion.

              We need strength to stay on course, following Your plan well. We need wisdom to establish reasonable laws for our constituents. We need vision to establish laws that reach into and meet the needs of future generations. Only You can grant such insight, such judgment.

              May we plan and consider well the work of our hand and may all our ways be established and ordered properly.

              Help us to avoid the self-willed path of destruction as we travel the intense, focused course which lie ahead; turning not to the left or to the right.

              Now may the grace of our Lord rest and abide with us all.

              For it is in the name of Your Son we pray. Amen.

            The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited.

            The Speaker appointed the following to act as an Honorary Page for the Day, to serve without compensation: Rachel Guinn.

            The Journal of the nineteenth day was approved as printed.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

            Representative Walton, et al., offered House Resolution No. 456.

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

            Representative Oxford, et al., offered House Concurrent Resolution No. 23.

SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS

            HB 748 through HB 767 were read the second time.

MOTION

            Representative Dempsey moved that Rule 114 be suspended.

            Which motion was adopted by the following vote:

JOINT SESSION

            The hour of the Joint Session having arrived, the Senate in a body was admitted and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, presiding, called the Joint Assembly to order.

            The Secretary of the Senate called the roll, which showed a majority of Senators present:

            The Chief Clerk of the House called the roll, which showed a majority of Representatives present:

STATE OF TRANSPORTATION ADDRESS

by

Pete Rahn

Lt. Governor, Mr. Speaker, Mr. President Pro Tem, Distinguished State Officials, Members of the 94th General Assembly, Members of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and Citizens of Missouri:

Missouri has been shaped by the evolution of transportation. We have been blessed with great natural wonders and by the pioneering spirit of visionaries. Mighty rivers carried the canoes of the first Missourians. Lewis and Clark's keelboat followed close behind providing a gateway to the west and the great steamboats of the late 1800's revolutionized travel and commerce.

Missourians also witnessed the advance of railroads that drove western expansion and economic growth throughout our state. Crude cattle trails with now-famous names became roads and then super interstate highways, and flying contraptions led to bustling airports across Missouri that connected us overnight to the world.

Each improved form of transportation produced greater economic opportunity and increased our personal freedom. Today we enjoy, and frankly take for granted, the finest transportation system in the history of mankind. Our livelihoods, our security, our independence, in essence - our very way of life - depend upon the pavements, waterways, rail and runways that link our vast nation. In the very heart of this system, Missouri has great opportunity and a great responsibility.

It is because of this importance that I am proud to report to you that the state of transportation in Missouri is improving dramatically.

This improvement has been the result of greater investment in our transportation system - investment that creates jobs, personal income, economic activity and revenue for education, health care, public safety and other vital services.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development reports that our 5.7 billion-dollar, five-year statewide transportation improvement program provides an impressive economic benefit to citizens. Ultimately, for every one billion dollars we invest in transportation we generate 3.6 billion dollars in economic activity.

History has demonstrated that investing in transportation has always been of significant value. Transportation is a good investment that returns great yields and leads to a better Missouri. We are seeing the benefits of greater investment in other ways, too.

Our busiest roads are smoother. Seventy-four percent (74%) of Missouri's major highways are now in good condition and drivers are feeling the difference.

Our most traveled highways are safer. We have installed brighter, wider stripes; larger, easier-to-read signs; emergency reference markers; rumble stripes and median guard cables. As a result, 173 fewer people lost their lives in 2006.

According to USA Today, this 14 percent drop is the third largest decrease in traffic fatalities among all states and the District of Columbia. Now, that is a ranking of which we can all be proud.

Ladies and gentleman, our roads are getting smoother and safer, sooner because your Department of Transportation is getting more efficient and effective every day.

This improved effectiveness was illustrated on December 8, 2006. I was pleased to join Governor Blunt in placing a big yellow banner reading "Completed One Year Ahead Of Schedule" on a Smooth Roads Initiative highway sign.

When we set out to use Amendment 3 funds to make Missouri's busiest 2,200 miles of roads smoother and safer in just three years, we thought that would be an extraordinary accomplishment.

In his 2006 State of the State Address, however, the Governor challenged us to deliver the program one year early. And - as soon as I regained consciousness - we started working to meet the Governor's challenge.

Last year we did just that and the words on the banner changed to reflect completion of the vital initiative not just as promised, but one year and 23 days early.

We cannot, however, at this time place a "Completed As Promised" banner on our mission to make Missouri's highways and bridges better. Together, we have made great advancements toward a world-class transportation system, but we have a long way to go. There are, however, positive indicators of our success. We are hearing from customers commenting about the noticeable improvements in Missouri's roads.

In December, we had further proof of drivers feeling the difference in the condition of our highways. A nationwide survey of truckers by Overdrive Magazine ranked Interstates 44 and 70 in Missouri as the second and third most improved highways in the country.

That is a dramatic change from just the previous year when that same magazine ranked I-44 in Missouri as the second-worst highway in the nation and our highways overall were also ranked second-worst.

This is progress, but not victory. During the past year we have announced steps to make further improvements to our state's roads. Just last month, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the Better Roads, Brighter Future Program.

If you thought the Smooth Roads Initiative was impressive, just wait until you experience this. Better Roads, Brighter Future is the Smooth Roads Initiative on steroids.

This groundbreaking program will result in 5,600 miles of our busiest highways being smoother and safer by 2012. I would add that 95 percent of Missourians live within 10 miles of these routes.

These better roads will include smooth pavement; brighter, wider striping; larger signs; rumble stripes; and, in most cases, a minimum four-foot paved shoulder. This means that the success of the Smooth Roads Initiative and all of its improvements will now be applied to our entire major highway system.

At the same time, the program will mean a brighter future. Smooth roads increase fuel efficiency by 2.4 percent. That savings will put an additional 100 million dollars back into the pockets of Missouri's drivers.

Additionally, it will create employment opportunities up and down the highways we improve.

But our efforts don't end there. I thank the General Assembly for the authority to use the innovative design-build method to deliver improvements to Missouri's transportation system.

Our first design-build project is Highway 40 in St. Louis or I-64, as we now call it. I-64 will be the largest single construction project in Missouri's highway history and the implemented innovations are unrivaled here or anywhere else in the country.

We have taken a project that would normally create a virtual parking lot on I-64 for seven years and accelerated construction to just three years with the public feeling significant affects for only two. And the resulting benefits will be worth the temporary inconvenience.

We will be rebuilding and upgrading all pavements and bridges and building 12 new interchanges on 10 miles of I-64 including a new high speed interchange at I-170. Our innovative approach has already saved money and time while creating a model workforce development partnership for the region.

On the other side of the state, in Kansas City, we are proceeding with our second design-build project to replace the existing Paseo Bridge. We are calling this project KcICON because it will provide better interstate connections and will be a landmark bridge of which all Missourians can be proud.

KcICON will mean less traffic congestion and greater mobility in the Kansas City area. It also breaks new ground for community involvement. A twelve-member Community Advisory Group has been formed whose members were selected by local officials to provide input and a public perspective regarding the architectural design of the bridge.

The third and final design-build project is our Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Plan. Safe and Sound will mean more than 800 better bridges by 2012.

With over 10,000 bridges, Missouri has the seventh most of any state in the union. We face a crisis situation as more than 1,000 are structurally in serious condition. Many are one step away from being closed.

Our bold approach to improve our bridges in record time is not only innovative, but also unprecedented. Other states, transportation organizations and national publications are watching this program with great interest.

A team of contractors and designers will be selected to perform all of the work. This approach works well with large, complicated projects and will give us the best possible opportunity to save money and complete the program within its aggressive time schedule.

Each of the bridges will be replaced or repaired and the successful bidder will be required to keep them in good condition for at least 25 years. If their solutions don't perform, we don't pay. That is the ultimate protection of Missouri taxpayers for an extreme make over of Missouri's bridges.

With all of this innovation accelerating our program, and thanks to voter approval of Amendment 3 in 2004, it is little wonder that we have experienced the largest highway construction program in Missouri history.

Missourians benefitted from 1.4 billion dollars invested in road improvements in 2006 meaning that our highways are getting safer and smoother, our state is getting more prosperous and our quality of life is improving.

The people of Missouri trusted us with additional funding through Amendment 3. MoDOT said that we would put that money to quick use improving your state highways. We said what we would do and then we did it. We are on schedule for successful completion of Amendment 3 improvements and to declaring "Completed As Promised."

Our accomplishments, however, have not been limited to highways. We have also worked to improve other modes of transportation in our state.

In June of last year, we began the assessment of Amtrak rail service between St. Louis and Springfield. Additionally, I was proud to certify for operation the MetroLink extension in August. Both of these developments mean the potential for more and better transportation options for Missourians.

We have also made strides toward improving local airports, which are so essential to economic development and business retention. We are currently building an airport with a 5,000-foot runway in Branson West - the 30th such airport in Missouri. This type of airport is essential for accommodating larger business aircraft.

This will be the 7th new airport constructed by MoDOT since 1990. In fact, Missouri has built more new general aviation airports than any state in the nation during this 16-year period.

Missouri's waterways have also seen investment resulting in economic development. A 500,000 dollar grant to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority in Scott City resulted in attraction of a corn milling business.

This economic development resulted in 40 million dollars of investment in the local community and creation of nearly 300 jobs in the area. The investment also helped bring about a nearby ethanol plant now under construction, which means another quarter of a billion dollars in private investment and 450 more jobs.

Unfortunately, with current funding, we cannot say, "Completed As Promised" to becoming a total transportation department. We are called a Department of Transportation, but we are funded like a highway department. We must find ways to increase investment in other modes of transportation.

When we speak of quality of life, we must discuss safety. We have worked hard to make our highways as safe as possible. And our efforts have led to a decrease in fatalities on our roadways.

Accelerating safety improvements under the Smooth Roads Initiative will save an estimated 14 lives and prevent 589 injuries this year. Earlier completion of these safety improvements will also result in a cost savings of more than $74 million to the traveling public.

Another great life-saving measure has been the installation of median guard cables. Wherever the center median on our interstates is less than 60 feet wide, we have placed these cables. All of I-70 now has them across Missouri. Much of I-44 and I-29 also have these safety features and they will soon be complete on these corridors as well.

You need only to drive a few miles on these routes to witness the effectiveness of guard cables. As you drive, you will see how frequently the cables are being hit. It costs us nearly 4 million dollars per year to repair these strikes and maintain the guard cables overall.

This is money wisely invested, since each instance represents potential lives saved because the cables have proven 95 percent effective at stopping crossover crashes.

Despite the effectiveness of median guard cables and the other measures we have taken to make our highways safer, we all know that it is driver behavior that results in most highway fatalities and serious injuries. The fact is that the most effective "guard cable" is the one you strap across your body when you enter your vehicle.

Unfortunately, not enough people are buckling up. We have seen a drop in safety belt use in Missouri. Usage rates went from 77 percent in 2005 to only 75 percent in 2006. This is the first time since 1998 that safety belt use has not increased.

Even more alarming, safety belt use is lowest among our youngest drivers. Teenagers buckle up only 58 percent of the time, and they make up a disproportionate amount of the people killed and injured in crashes each year.

The facts are clear and convincing. About 68 percent of the people who die in Missouri traffic crashes are not wearing a safety belt. A driver involved in a traffic crash in 2005 had a one in 32 chance of being killed if not wearing a safety belt. In those cases where drivers wore safety belts, their chance of being killed was only one in 1,017.

It is apparent that safety belts save lives, but only if they are worn. Despite our best efforts. Despite unprecedented public education activities. Safety belt use is on the decline in Missouri.

We all know what action would increase safety belt use based on examples from numerous other states. That action is the passage of a primary safety belt law.

I commend the 39 members of the Missouri House of Representatives who have signed on to co-sponsor House Bill 90 - Missouri's primary safety belt act.

As most of you know, that bill number was not an accident. We could save 90 lives per year by enacting a primary safety belt law. Safety belt usage is required by law now. This bill would simply allow for effective enforcement.

Of the more than 500 traffic offenses in Missouri, our safety belt law is the only one that deliberately discourages police enforcement. The effect of the current law is to declare that a cracked taillight or a dirty license plate is a higher priority for law enforcement than life saving safety belts.

It is time to act. We spend billions of dollars making our highways safer. Without spending a dime, we could save 90 lives each year. It is imperative that we make 2007 the year we say, "Completed As Promised" about a primary safety belt law and saving those 90 lives.

That promise, however, will not be fulfilled just once. Each of you who help enact this bill will know that with every year that passes, you have saved another 90 lives.

Unfortunately, we are also losing too many MoDOT workers in the line of duty. In the past five years we have lost nine employees. Last year the General Assembly took an important, life-saving step by making work zone laws stricter and the penalties more severe. I thank you, sincerely.

In 2006, four MoDOT employees lost their lives. Bob Eftink, Robert Mayer, Ken Hoierman and William Crain were killed in the line of duty working to make our transportation system better.

MoDOT team members made many sacrifices over the past year working long hours, including nights and weekends, serving the people of our state. These four gentlemen made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the public.

Relatives of Bob Eftink, Robert Mayer, Ken Hoierman and William Crain are here today. They represent the loved ones they lost and the families of all MoDOT workers who have made great sacrifices for the people of Missouri. I ask them to stand so we can express our appreciation.

We have accomplished great things together over the past year. It is our duty, however, to look toward the future, not to remain in the past. That future will require us to think differently than we have before.

Transportation is too important to be locked into conventional solutions. To address the needs of our future, we will have to look beyond what is currently accepted to what is most effective.

The needs we must address are substantial. By 2012 - just five years from today - there will be nearly 800,000 more large trucks annually on I-44 and greater than 700,000 more large trucks on I-70. This vital commercial traffic will only increase beyond 2012 and will be even higher in urban areas.

We cannot ignore this growing traffic and I am convinced that we must include dedicated truck lanes as part of our solution to separate semis from family sedans on our two most critical roadways - I-70 and I-44.

This will make driving safer and more comfortable for motorists and truckers. This can be accomplished within our current cost estimates of 7.2 billion dollars for improvement to both interstates.

The growing traffic congestion on our interstates will be even worse in urban areas. By the year 2020, drivers on the Poplar Street Bridge in St. Louis will experience three-hour backups during morning peak commute times. We must do everything we can to prevent that from happening.

A New Mississippi River Bridge is critical to the long-term economic health of the St. Louis region. Unfortunately, given current funding, we have no means to pay for this project. It is imperative that we find an innovative solution to paying for this bridge.

This bridge and our interstates are just a portion of the 32,000-mile highway system we maintain - the seventh largest in the country. We have nearly 27,000 miles of lettered routes that are so vital to our overall system. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, we can only try to maintain them in their current condition without any significant improvements.

These routes are particularly important for the movement of crops and agricultural products, which are imperative to the economic health of our state. Without additional funding, we can do little to accommodate the changing nature of farm equipment including the transition from the old two-ton flatbed truck to the tractor-trailer rigs that are so common on today's farms.

In order to rebuild our largest, busiest interstates; to improve our lettered routes; to impact growing urban and suburban congestion; to truly move transportation forward in Missouri, we must find a way to direct more dollars to our roads and other modes of transportation.

We are in the midst of a bubble for funding of highway construction. From the top of this peak we can observe a very low valley. Our current construction program of 1.3 billion dollars, the largest in Missouri history, drops off a cliff in 2010 and plummets to 569 million dollars, which is slightly less than where we were prior to Amendment 3.

I am extremely pleased to see a dialogue about the need for greater transportation funding beginning in the legislature this year. I know that legislation has been introduced that will allow for thoughtful debate about funding highways, bridges and other modes. That is a crucial first step.

As your Department of Transportation, it is our duty to ensure that taxpayers are confident in our ability to utilize additional funding effectively and efficiently. They also expect us to use the money to improve their roads. We have demonstrated our ability to do just that.

When we started the Smooth Roads Initiative, only 47 percent of Missouri's major highways were in good condition. Today, 74 percent of those highways are in good condition.

We have shown that given additional resources we will use them wisely and for their intended purposes. As we were investing record amounts in highway construction, we were only spending two percent of our budget on administration and with no additional full-time staff.

We have applied practical design to our roads and bridges by cutting out the frills and simply meeting needs. We have applied that same concept to administrative expenses and are directing the maximum amount possible to making our transportation system better.

And, we are being recognized for our efforts.

Roads and Bridges magazine said MoDOT, "has turned over a new leaf, and infrastructure repair work started to flourish over the last year."

Midwest Contractor magazine called MoDOT the leader in innovation among the states in its region.

The Kansas City Star said that MoDOT deserves credit for considering "new approaches to financing infrastructure" in regard to our Safe and Sound Bridge Plan.

And, the Jefferson City News Tribune editorialized that MoDOT has gained momentum and that, "The best way to restore credibility is with action, not talk, and the Department has done precisely that."

I am grateful for their comments.

Your Department of Transportation said we would work hard to build credibility with the people of Missouri.

We said we would make your roads smoother

We said we would make your roads safer.

We said we would get the best value out of every taxpayer dollar we have been given.

But we are not prepared to say, "Completed As Promised" to all of those goals because we will always work to do things even better, faster and cheaper.

Our future, however, does show great promise and, together, we can make sure that "Completed As Promised" becomes the motto for transportation in Missouri.

Thank you and may God bless your travels.

            The Joint Session was dissolved by Senator Shields.

            Speaker Jetton resumed the Chair.

            On motion of Representative Dempsey, the House recessed until 2:00 p.m.

AFTERNOON SESSION

            The hour of recess having expired, the House was called to order by Speaker Pro Tem Bearden.

HOUSE COURTESY RESOLUTIONS OFFERED AND ISSUED

            House Resolution No. 452 through House Resolution No. 455

            House Resolution No. 457 through House Resolution No. 528

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

            Representative Wilson (130), et al., offered House Concurrent Resolution No. 24.

PERFECTION OF HOUSE BILL

            HCS HB 453, relating to donations to food pantries, was taken up by Representative Jetton.

            Representative Wildberger offered House Amendment No. 1.

House Amendment No. 1

AMEND House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 453, Page 2, Section 135.647, Line 18, by inserting after the word "transferable." the words "No taxpayer shall be eligible to receive a credit pursuant to this section if such taxpayer employs persons who are not authorized to work in the United States under federal law.".

            On motion of Representative Wildberger, House Amendment No. 1 was adopted.

            Representative Bringer offered House Amendment No. 2.

House Amendment No. 2

AMEND House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 453, Page 2, Section 135.647, Line 26, by inserting after the said line, the following:

              "No less than fifty percent of the tax credits awarded under this section shall be allocated for contributions to food pantries located in third class counties.".

            Representative Bringer moved that House Amendment No. 2 be adopted.

            Which motion was defeated by the following vote:

            Representative Roorda offered House Amendment No. 3.

House Amendment No. 3

AMEND House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 453, Page 2, Section 135.647, Line 21, by deleting the word "two" and replacing with the word "four".

            Representative Roorda moved that House Amendment No. 3 be adopted.

            Which motion was defeated by the following vote:

            Representative Oxford offered House Amendment No. 4.

House Amendment No. 4

AMEND House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 453, Page 2, Section 135.647, Line 18, by inserting after the word "transferable." the words "No individual taxpayer shall be eligible to receive a credit pursuant to this section unless the taxpayer has volunteered for the local food pantry for at least fifty hours in the taxable year the taxpayer is claiming a credit.".

            Representative Roorda offered House Amendment No. 1 to House Amendment No. 4.

House Amendment No. 1

to

House Amendment No. 4

AMEND House Amendment No. 4 to House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 453, Page 1, Section 135.647, Line 3, by deleting the word "fifty" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "two".

            Representative Roorda moved that House Amendment No. 1 to House Amendment No. 4 be adopted.

            Which motion was defeated by the following vote:

            HCS HB 453, as amended, with House Amendment No. 4, pending, was laid over.

            Speaker Jetton resumed the Chair.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

            Mr. Speaker: I am instructed by the Senate to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has taken up and passed HB 15.

SIGNING OF HOUSE BILL

            All other business of the House was suspended while HB 15 was read at length and, there being no objection, was signed by the Speaker to the end that the same may become law.

            Speaker Pro Tem Bearden resumed the Chair.

PERFECTION OF HOUSE BILLS

            HCS HB 453, as amended, with House Amendment No. 4, pending, relating to donations to food pantries, was again taken up by Representative Jetton.

            Representative Oxford moved that House Amendment No. 4 be adopted.

            Which motion was defeated.

            Representative Hughes offered House Amendment No. 5.

House Amendment No. 5

AMEND House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 453, Page 1, Section 135.647, Line 9, by inserting after the word "food" the words ", unless such food is donated after the food's expiration date,".

            On motion of Representative Hughes, House Amendment No. 5 was adopted.

            Representative Burnett offered House Amendment No. 6.

House Amendment No. 6

AMEND House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 453, Page 2, Section 135.647, Line 18, by inserting after the word "transferable." the words "No taxpayer shall be eligible to receive a credit pursuant to this section if such taxpayer does not offer the taxpayer's full-time employees a health insurance plan.".

            Representative Burnett moved that House Amendment No. 6 be adopted.

            Which motion was defeated by the following vote:

            Representative Tilley assumed the Chair.

            Speaker Pro Tem Bearden resumed the Chair.

            On motion of Representative Jetton, HCS HB 453, as amended, was adopted.

            On motion of Representative Jetton, HCS HB 453, as amended, was ordered perfected and printed.

            HB 454, relating to supplemental food stamp assistance, was taken up by Representative Jetton.

            Representative Oxford offered House Amendment No. 1.

House Amendment No. 1

AMEND House Bill No. 454, Section 208.245, Line 1, by deleting the words "Subject to appropriations,".

            Representative Oxford moved that House Amendment No. 1 be adopted.

            Which motion was defeated.

            Representative Roorda offered House Amendment No. 2.

House Amendment No. 2

AMEND House Bill No. 454, Page 2, Section 208.245, Line 13, by deleting the word "thirty" and replacing with "forty"; and

              Further amend Page 2, Line 16, by deleting the word "sixty" and replacing with "eighty".

            Representative Roorda moved that House Amendment No. 2 be adopted.

            Which motion was defeated.

            On motion of Representative Jetton, HB 454 was ordered perfected and printed.

REFERRAL OF HOUSE BILLS

            The following House Bills were referred to the Committee indicated:

HCS HB 453 - Fiscal Review (Fiscal Note)

HB 454 - Fiscal Review (Fiscal Note)

RE-REFERRAL OF HOUSE BILL

            The following House Bill was re-referred to the Committee indicated:

HB 673 - Special Committee on Energy and Environment

COMMITTEE REPORTS

            Committee on Fiscal Review, Chairman Guest reporting:

            Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Fiscal Review, to which was referred HB 353 (Fiscal Note), begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that it Do Pass.

            Special Committee on Immigration, Chairman Nolte reporting:

            Mr. Speaker: Your Special Committee on Immigration, to which was referred HJR 7, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that it Do Pass, and pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) be referred to the Committee on Rules.

            Mr. Speaker: Your Special Committee on Immigration, to which was referred HB 262, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that it Do Pass, and pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) be referred to the Committee on Rules.

            Mr. Speaker: Your Special Committee on Immigration, to which was referred HB 263, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that it Do Pass, and pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) be referred to the Committee on Rules.

            Special Committee on Job Creation and Economic Development, Chairman Richard reporting:

            Mr. Speaker: Your Special Committee on Job Creation and Economic Development, to which was referred HB 327, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that the House Committee Substitute Do Pass, and pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) be referred to the Committee on Rules.

            Special Committee on Ticket to Work, Chairman Portwood reporting:

            Mr. Speaker: Your Special Committee on Ticket to Work, to which was referred HB 40, HB 116 and HB 367, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that the House Committee Substitute Do Pass, and pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) be referred to the Committee on Rules.

            Special Committee on Veterans, Chairman Day reporting:

            Mr. Speaker: Your Special Committee on Veterans, to which was referred HB 70, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that it Do Pass by Consent, and pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) be referred to the Committee on Rules.

            Special Committee on Workforce Development and Workplace Safety, Chairman Hunter reporting:

            Mr. Speaker: Your Special Committee on Workforce Development and Workplace Safety, to which was referred HB 369, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that the House Committee Substitute Do Pass, and pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) be referred to the Committee on Rules.

            Committee on Rules, Chairman Cooper (120) reporting:

            Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Rules, to which was referred HCS HB 39, begs leave to report it has examined the same and recommends that it Do Pass.

INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

            The following House Joint Resolution was read the first time and copies ordered printed:

HJR 19, introduced by Representatives Bearden, Jetton, Lembke, Day, Wilson (119), Smith (14), Bivins, Sater, Kelly, Baker (123), Munzlinger, Fisher, Ruestman, Nolte, Dixon, Ervin, Wood, Jones (89), Dempsey, Cooper (120), Self, Nieves, Wells, Funderburk, Icet, McGhee, Thomson, Stevenson, Moore and Schad, relating to the right to pray.

INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE BILLS

            The following House Bills were read the first time and copies ordered printed:

HB 768, introduced by Representatives Faith, Funderburk, Jones (89), Onder, Fallert, Smith (14), Sutherland and Quinn (7), relating to a sales tax exemption for highway construction materials.

HB 769, introduced by Representatives Bruns and Cooper (158), relating to protections for vulnerable adults and children.

HB 770, introduced by Representative Cox, relating to sheriffs and jailers.

HB 771, introduced by Representatives Bearden, Robb, Muschany, Lembke, Ruestman, Cooper (120), Dempsey, Hunter, Jetton, Icet, Dixon, Funderburk and Dougherty, relating to compensation of school administrators.

HB 772, introduced by Representatives Roorda, Bruns, Page, Hodges, Walsh, LeVota, Meadows, Casey, Komo, Yaeger, Baker (25), Onder, Cox, Scharnhorst, Brown (50), Jones (117), Ruzicka, McGhee and Sater, relating to the list of scheduled drug substances.

HB 773, introduced by Representatives Dusenberg, Roorda, Lipke, Onder, Bruns and Meadows, relating to workers' compensation.

HB 774, introduced by Representatives Jones (89), Jetton, Jones (117), Schoeller, Baker (25), Funderburk, Brown (50), Dixon, Tilley, Ruzicka, Onder, Faith, Komo, Silvey, Grisamore, Guest, Zimmerman, Nieves, Ruestman and Page, relating to the disclosure of news sources and information.

HB 775, introduced by Representative Wasson, relating to employee disqualification list maintained by the department of health and senior services.

HB 776, introduced by Representative Wasson, relating to athletics.

HB 777, introduced by Representative Wasson, relating to crematoriums.

HB 778, introduced by Representative Wasson, relating to professional counselors.

HB 779, introduced by Representative Wasson, relating to marital and family therapists.

HB 780, introduced by Representative Wasson, relating to professional license renewals for military.

HB 781, introduced by Representatives Bivins, Sater, McGhee and Moore, relating to environmental covenants.

HB 782, introduced by Representatives Bivins, Sater, Guest, McGhee and Moore, relating to air pollution emission fees.

HB 783, introduced by Representatives Lampe, Wildberger, Walsh, Robinson, Villa, Grill, LeVota, Baker (25), Oxford, Talboy, Darrough, Roorda, Casey and Schieffer, relating to the director of the department of transportation.

HB 784, introduced by Representative Cooper (120), relating to general bond elections.

HB 785, introduced by Representatives Low (39), Talboy, Norr, Holsman, Nasheed, Darrough, Hughes, Burnett, Skaggs, Corcoran, Lampe, Zimmerman, Storch, LeVota, Lowe (44), Young, Oxford, Casey, Chappelle-Nadal, Curls, El-Amin and Bland, relating to motor vehicle windshield stickers.

HB 786, introduced by Representatives Oxford, McClanahan, Low (39), Donnelly, Walton, Frame, Hubbard, Burnett, Chappelle-Nadal, Johnson, Wright-Jones, Baker (25), Yaeger, Harris (110), Meadows, Roorda, Kuessner, Zimmerman, Threlkeld, Nasheed, Holsman, LeVota, McGhee, Norr, Moore, Young, George, Corcoran, Aull, Casey, Talboy, Daus, Bruns and Scavuzzo, relating to caseload standards for certain state agencies.

HB 787, introduced by Representatives Oxford, Lampe, Nasheed, Chappelle-Nadal, Walton, El-Amin, Daus, Faith, Kuessner, Bland, Meadows, Schoemehl, Storch, Haywood, Swinger, Fallert, George, Corcoran, Talboy, Wright-Jones, Holsman, Page and Yaeger, relating to school class size.

HB 788, introduced by Representatives Cooper (155), Ruestman, Weter, Threlkeld, Muschany, Schad, Sutherland, Wilson (130), Cunningham (145), Sander, Sater, Loehner, Self, Hunter, Lembke, Richard, Lipke, Moore, Nieves, Hobbs, Kingery, May, Schoeller, Day, Tilley, Dixon, Wilson (119), Wallace, Jones (117), Nance, Dethrow, Bearden, Dempsey, Ruzicka, Munzlinger, Grisamore, Parson and Cooper (120), relating to public health emergency preparedness.

HB 789, introduced by Representatives Wilson (130), Sater, Meiners and Nance, relating to the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact.

HB 790, introduced by Representatives Wilson (130), Sater, Meiners and Nance, relating to funding for the department of insurance, financial and professional regulation.

HB 791, introduced by Representatives Wilson (130), Sater, Ruestman, Schlottach, Page, Wright-Jones, Nance, Weter, Wallace and Munzlinger, relating to the provision of certain claims information by health carriers.

HB 792, introduced by Representatives Wilson (130), Moore, Sater and Nance, relating to the state emergency management agency.

HB 793, introduced by Representatives Faith, Nance, Holsman and Dusenberg, relating to motorcycle operator's licenses.

HB 794, introduced by Representative Sutherland, relating to manufactured homes.

HB 795, introduced by Representative Flook, relating to local public improvements.

HB 796, introduced by Representatives Dethrow, Wilson (119) and Wallace, relating to disabled license plates.

HB 797, introduced by Representatives Darrough, Corcoran, Brown (50), Spreng and Zweifel, relating to tax increment financing.

HB 798, introduced by Representatives Darrough, Corcoran and Brown (50), relating to school uniforms.

HB 799, introduced by Representatives Low (39), Wildberger, Dougherty, Bowman, Chappelle-Nadal, Meadows, Roorda, Wright-Jones, Frame, LeVota, Scavuzzo, Rucker, Walsh, El-Amin, Haywood, Fallert, Corcoran, Lampe, Spreng, Schoemehl, Storch and Talboy, relating to the posting of nurse staffing levels at hospitals.

HB 800, introduced by Representatives McGhee, Deeken, Ruestman, Pollock, Smith (14), Kingery, Lembke, Pearce, Dempsey, Marsh, Schaaf, Tilley, Wallace, Schneider, Denison, Brandom, Fisher, Schad, Wells, Wright, Muschany, Parson, Portwood, Davis, Day, Bivins, Casey, Nance, Kratky, Viebrock, Salva, Brown (50), Fallert, Scavuzzo, Kuessner, Dougherty, Loehner, Cooper (120), Nieves, Jones (117), Swinger, Guest, Cooper (158), Faith, Bearden, Richard and Robb, relating to certain parties being allowed to prosecute their claims and defenses without the assistance of an attorney.

HB 801, introduced by Representatives Kraus, Emery, Richard, Viebrock and Schoeller, relating to telecommunications.

HB 802, introduced by Representatives Page, Young, Lowe (44), Talboy, Yaeger, Holsman and Storch, relating to required immunizations for school attendance.

HB 803, introduced by Representatives Portwood, Threlkeld, Smith (150), Deeken, Tilley, Schad, Self, Ruestman, Kingery, Nieves, Schoeller, Jones (117), Lembke, Flook, Schlottach, Loehner, Villa, Day, Franz, Dixon, Low (39), Salva, Meiners, Nolte, Silvey, Cooper (158), Robinson, Bland, St. Onge, Pratt, Robb, Stevenson, Munzlinger, Smith (14), Cooper (155), Dempsey, Lipke, Muschany, Wilson (130),Wilson (119), McGhee, Bruns, Hobbs and Talboy, relating to a tax credit for donations for abused and neglected children.

HB 804, introduced by Representatives Grisamore, Ervin, Kraus, Yates, Nieves, Cunningham (86), Schaaf, Stream, Pratt, Dusenberg, Bruns, Thomson, St. Onge, Muschany, Smith (150), Pearce, Wilson (119), Cooper (155), Sander, Nolte, Schad, Pollock, Faith, Day, May, Richard, Wilson (130), Fares, Silvey, Jones (117), Bivins, Grill, Holsman, Baker (123), Kingery, Deeken, Wasson, McGhee, Weter, Threlkeld, Denison, Cunningham (145), Schoeller, Onder and Scharnhorst, relating to the small business investment tax credit.

HB 805, introduced by Representatives Grisamore, Yates, Kraus, Richard, Pratt, Ervin, Dusenberg, Nolte, Schoeller, Onder, Jetton, Muschany, Flook, Bivins, Tilley, Weter, Thomson, Denison, Jones (89), Nieves, Smith (150), Funderburk, Stream, Cooper (155), Sander, Hobbs, Hunter, Fisher, Robb, Threlkeld, Kelly, Deeken, Cooper (158), Dixon, Cunningham (145), Scharnhorst, Munzlinger, Holsman, Curls, Silvey, Bland, Spreng, Bruns, Cunningham (86), St. Onge, Schaaf, Stream, Pearce, Wilson (119), Schad, Pollock, Faith, Day, May, Wilson (130), Fares, Jones (117), Grill, Baker (123), Kingery, Wasson, Brandom, Sater, Schneider and Scharnhorst, relating to Missouri technology corporation.

HB 806, introduced by Representatives Pratt, Young, Burnett, Salva, Donnelly, Curls, Bland, Wasson, Low (39), Baker (25), Dusenberg, Hughes, Talboy, Roorda, Holsman and Grill, relating to prohibited activities by Kansas City police officers.

HB 807, introduced by Representatives Cunningham (86), Schaaf, Scharnhorst, Stevenson, Hobbs, Emery, Dougherty, Jones (117), Parson, El-Amin, Faith, Hubbard, Robb, Lembke, Threlkeld, Villa, Nieves, Dempsey, Davis, Hughes, Hoskins, Onder, Jones (89), Funderburk, Hunter, Icet, Kratky and Cooper (120), relating to school enrollment.

HB 808, introduced by Representatives Bearden, Hubbard, Hoskins, Robb, Meiners, Muschany, Ruestman, Hunter, Hughes, El-Amin, Stevenson, Bivins, May, St. Onge, Scharnhorst, Richard, Parson, Tilley, Jones (117), Schlottach, Kingery, Emery, Jetton, Faith, Icet, Sander, Nolte, Onder, Schoeller, Cooper (158), Dempsey, Davis, Lembke, Smith (14), Nieves, Cooper (120), Kelly, Portwood, Deeken, Sater, Kratky, Bruns, Cooper (155), Funderburk, Schaaf, Lipke, Villa, Threlkeld and Dougherty, relating to the Betty L. Thompson Scholarship Program.

COMMITTEE CHANGES

            The Speaker submitted the following Committee changes:

             Representative Walt Bivins is no longer a member of the Special Committee on Veterans.

             Representative Belinda Harris is no longer a member of the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee.

             Representative Gina Walsh is no longer a member of the Special Committee on Homeland Security.

             Representative Bryan Pratt has been appointed a member of the Special Committee on Tax Reform.

            Representative Paul Quinn has been appointed a member of the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee and the Special Committee on Homeland Security.

            Representative Mike Sutherland has been appointed a member of the Special Committee on Veterans.

            Representative Clint Zweifel has been appointed a member of the Special Committee on Tax Reform.

COMMUNICATIONS

February 7, 2007

Mr. Adam Crumbliss, Chief Clerk

Missouri House of Representatives

State Capitol, Room 306C

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Mr. Crumbliss:

I hereby appoint Representative Connie Johnson to serve on the Joint Committee on Legislative Research.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

/s/ Rod Jetton

Speaker

____________________

February 1, 2007

D. Adam Crumbliss, Chief Clerk

Missouri House of Representatives

State Capitol, Room 306C

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Mr. Crumbliss:

This letter is to advise you that I have been newly appointed to the Board of Directors of St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City, Missouri. I receive no compensation for this position.

I would also like to inform you that from time to time, St. Mary's enters into contracts with the State of Missouri. I may or may not be aware of these contracts or when they occur.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office.

Sincerely,

/s/ Mark J. Bruns

WITHDRAWAL OF HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

February 7, 2007

Mr. D. Adam Crumbliss, Chief Clerk

Missouri House of Representatives

State Capitol, Room 306C

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Adam:

I respectfully request that House Concurrent Resolution No. 22 be withdrawn. Thank you for your consideration of my request.

Sincerely,

/s/ Tom Dempsey

ADJOURNMENT

            On motion of Representative Dempsey, the House adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 8, 2007.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

AGRICULTURE POLICY

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 6.

Executive session may follow. AMENDED

Public hearings to be held on: HB 244, HB 370, HB 477

APPROPRIATIONS - AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Monday, February 12, 2007, 1:00 p.m. Hearing Room 5.

Review Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Conservation budgets.

Possible Executive session.

APPROPRIATIONS - EDUCATION

Monday, February 12, 2007, 11:00 a.m. Hearing Room 1.

Performance based measures on new or increased decision items related to

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Possible discussion on budget decision items.

Possible Executive session.

APPROPRIATIONS - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Monday, February 12, 2007, 12:00 p.m. Hearing Room 3.

Budgets for Office of Administration and Department of Revenue.

Possible Executive session.

APPROPRIATIONS - HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 5.

Public and provider testimony.

For all parties not heard during morning session, the Committee will reconvene

one hour after adjournment in Hearing Room 5.

Witnesses heard in sign up order.

APPROPRIATIONS - HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Monday, February 12, 2007, 12:00 p.m. Hearing Room 3.

Public and provider testimony completed before Committee.

Committee will discuss proposals and requests based on testimony given. AMENDED

APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 2.

Finish Corrections budget presentation.

Possible Missouri Veterans Commission testimony.

Possible Executive session.

APPROPRIATIONS - TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Monday, February 12, 2007, 12:30 p.m. Hearing Room 6.

Public testimony Departments of Labor and Industrial Relations, Insurance,

Economic Development, and Transportation.

Executive session may be included.

APPROPRIATIONS - TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 5:00 p.m. Hearing Room 3.

Public testimony from Monday continued, if necessary.

Budget presentations by Departments of Labor and Industrial Relations, and

Economic Development.

Executive session may be included.

BUDGET

Thursday, February 8, 2007, Forty five (45) minutes after adjournment. Hearing Room 3.

Executive session may follow. AMENDED

Public hearing to be held on: HB 14

CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Thursday, February 8, 2007, One (1) hour after adjournment. House Chamber south side.

Executive session will be held on: HB 46

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 9:00 a.m. Hearing Room 1.

Executive session may follow.

Public hearings to be held on: HB 469, HB 196, HB 33, HB 38, HB 29

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 6.

Executive session may be held.

Public hearings to be held on: HB 325, HB 184, HB 287, HB 81, HB 93, HB 530

RULES

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 1:00 p.m. Hearing Room 1.

Executive session may follow.

Public hearings to be held on: HR 21, HR 68, HR 75, HR 133,

HR 136, HR 139, HR 152, HR 232, HR 334, HR 343

RULES - PURSUANT TO RULE 25(21)(f)

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 1:00 p.m. Hearing Room 1.

Executive session may follow.

Public hearings to be held on: HB 70, HCS HB 444, 217, 225, 239, 243, 297, 402 & 172,

HCS HB 545 & 590

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGRI-BUSINESS

Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 4.

Executive session may follow.

Public hearings to be held on: HB 343, HB 344, HB 348

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON GENERAL LAWS

Thursday, February 8, 2007, Forty five (45) minutes after adjournment. Hearing Room 6.

Executive session.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 7.

Executive session may follow.

Public hearings to be held on: HB 298, HB 656, HB 117

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON STATE PARKS AND WATERWAYS

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 4.

Executive session may follow.

Public hearings to be held on: HB 461, HB 75, HB 366

TRANSPORTATION

Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 1.

Executive session may follow.

Public hearing to be held on: HB 90

WAYS AND MEANS

Thursday, February 8, 2007, 8:00 a.m. Hearing Room 5.

Executive session may follow. AMENDED

Public hearings to be held on: HB 127, HB 129, HB 210, HB 247,

HB 248, HB 368, HB 458, HB 459

HOUSE CALENDAR

TWENTY-FIRST DAY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2007

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION FOR SECOND READING

HJR 19

HOUSE BILLS FOR SECOND READING

HB 768 through HB 808

HOUSE BILLS FOR PERFECTION

1          HCS HB 300 - Bruns

2          HB 352 - Hobbs

3          HCS HB 39 - Portwood

HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING

1          HB 353 - Schaaf

2          HCS HB 453 (Fiscal Review 2-7-07) - Jetton

3          HB 454 (Fiscal Review 2-7-07) - Jetton