Representative Jim Neely

Representative Jim Neely’s Capitol Report

Greetings Friends!  

Preparing Students for College and the Workplace (SB 638)

Missouri legislators approved legislation this year to help better prepare young people for college and the workplace. Recently signed into law by Governor Nixon, the legislation requires school districts to implement a system for identifying students in their ninth grade year who are at risk of not being ready for college-level work or for entry-level career positions. 

The legislation was supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which conducted a study that found that only 15 percent of Missouri businesses are preparing students for the workplace. As the Chamber has noted, Missouri employers spend millions of dollars each year as they try to develop the skills that new employees need to succeed in the workplace. The problem persists nationwide as well as approximately 25 percent of students entering college have to take remedial coursework. These remedial courses to get kids up to speed academically have an annual cost of more than $1.5 billion.

To help address this problem in Missouri, the legislation approved by the General Assembly will require schools to develop a remediation program by 2018. With this, students will have the opportunity to develop a personal plan of study that includes graduation requirements, career or postsecondary goals, coursework related to career or postsecondary goals, and grade-appropriate and career-related experiences. The goal is to empower kids to develop the skills and knowledge that will allow them to succeed and college and the workplace.

Adoptee Rights Act Signed into Law (HB 1599)

The governor recently signed into law a piece of legislation that will strengthen the rights of adoptees in Missouri. The Missouri Adoptee Rights Act is meant provide an easier process for an adopted individual to obtain a copy of his or her original birth certificate. 

Under current law, files and records that provide identifying information about an adoptee’s biological parents are closed except by order of the court or by mutual decision of the birth parents and the adoptee. 

The Missouri Adoptee Rights Act will allow an adoptee who is at least 18 years of age and born in Missouri to file a written application to the state registrar to obtain the original certificate of birth. The bill also gives the birth parents the right to file statements indicating they do not want to be contacted by the adoptee. If both parents indicate they would prefer not to be contacted, a copy of the original birth certificate will not be released. If just one parent wishes to not be contacted, his or her identifying information will be redacted from the copy of the birth certificate before it is released.

Health Insurance Rate Review Legislation Signed into Law (SB 865)

Another bill signed into law will give Missourians true transparency when it comes to the premiums being charged by health insurance companies. Legislators approved the Missouri Health Insurance Rate Transparency Act for consumers who deserve to know the premium rates being charged by the insurance companies that operate in Missouri.

SB 865 will require health carriers to file premium rates with the director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration for any health benefit plans sold in the state. The rates may be used after the director determines the rates to be reasonable, after the health carrier notifies the director of its intent to use rates that the director deems unreasonable, or 60 days after the filing date. Final rates will then be published on the department’s website, which will also allow the public to comment on any proposed rate increases.

Missouri is currently the only state in the nation without a rate review system in place. Proponents of the change say it will lead to better regulation of the health insurance industry, and allow Missouri families to know if the rates they are paying are fair. Without transparency, Missouri’s rates have increased at a rate above the national average, and the state has seen significant disparities in what is paid by consumers in various parts of the state. With rate review in place, proponents hope to reduce health care costs for Missourians.

Improving Campus Safety (SB 921)

Also set to become law is a piece of legislation that will improve the way colleges and universities respond to and handle incidents of sexual violence on campus. The legislation is in part a response to a national survey that found 73 percent of institutions of higher learning have no protocols in place to work with law enforcement to respond to incidents of sexual assault. The legislation approved by the General Assembly will require public institutions of higher education in Missouri to put such plans in place. The new law will require schools and law enforcement to create a memorandum of understanding that will contain detailed policies and protocols regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. 

Important Economic Development Legislation Now Set to Become Law (SB 861)

Now set to become law with the governor’s signature is legislation meant to bring businesses that have moved out of the state back home to Missouri, as well as invest in the Missouri Port System.  

The bill creates the Bring Jobs Home Act to authorize a tax deduction for out-of-state businesses that relocate to Missouri. Specifically, the act will provide a tax deduction of up to 50 percent of the eligible expenses associated with eliminating a business located outside of the state and reestablishing it in Missouri. Under the act, the business will have to stay in the state for at least ten years, or pay back the state the entire amount of the deduction. The bill also caps maximum annual amount of deductions at $5 million. The sponsor of the legislation called the act a powerful tool to help bring businesses back to the state along with the family-supporting jobs they provide.

The legislation approved by the General Assembly also includes language to create new investment in Missouri’s system of ports. The bill creates advanced industrial manufacturing zones for the purpose of establishing a dedicated funding source for port improvement and development. In addition, it creates tax incentives for entities that utilize Missouri port authorities. One deduction is designed for existing port users who increase their usage of the facility. A second deduction targets new businesses that build within a port authority’s district. And the third deduction will be for each new job created at an international trade facility. 

Government Accountability Bills Signed into Law (HB 1418 and SB 1002)

The governor recently signed two pieces of legislation designed to protect taxpayer dollars from being misused by local taxing districts. 

HB 1418 deals with non-compliance on the part of Transportation Development Districts (TDDs), and imposes a fine on them should they refuse to comply with reporting standards called for by the Department of Revenue and the State Auditor’s Office. A TDD is a political subdivision formed by a vote of qualified voters to collect taxes and borrow funds to facilitate specific public transportation improvements. In 2014, nearly one quarter of TDDs in the state failed to file financial statements on time with the State Auditor’s Office.

The bill now set to become law requires the State Auditor's office to report any transportation development district failing to submit its annual financial statement to the Department of Revenue. The department will notify the non-compliant district by certified mail that it has 30 days from the postmarked date to submit the required statement to the State Auditor's office. If the statement is not received the district will be fined $500 per day beginning on the 31st day from the postmarked date.

SB 1002 focuses on audits of Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), which are local taxing entities designed to help improve a community by bettering conditions for existing businesses, and attracting new growth. Previously, many of these districts were not open to audit because a request had to be made by a resident of the CID itself. However, several CIDs have no residents living inside their boundaries. HB 1002 allows for audits of CIDs by the state auditor in the same manner as audits for any state agency. 

Supporters of the bills said greater accountability and transparency for the local taxing districts is necessary because taxpayers typically pay higher sales tax rates within these districts to fund infrastructure or transportation improvements. Ultimately, they will save taxpayer dollars and ensure the funds are spent appropriately.

Contact Information:

As always, please do not hesitate to call or write me anytime with your questions or thoughts on this or any other issue. My Capitol office is 573.751.0246 and my email is jim.neely@house.mo.gov .  Thank you for the honor to serve as your Representative in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Working on your behalf,

Representative Jim Neely

Proudly Serving the 8th  House District

Clinton, Caldwell, Clay and Ray Counties

Missouri House of Representatives

573.751.0246

The Caldwell County News

101 South Davis
P.O. Box 218
Hamilton, MO 64644
Phone: 816-583-2116
news@mycaldwellcounty.com

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