House moves legislation

By State Rep. Bennie Cook, Missouri's 143rd District
Posted 3/8/23

In an effort to address the violent crime that has plagued St. Louis, the Missouri House of Representatives gave first round approval to legislation that would put the city’s police force under …

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House moves legislation

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In an effort to address the violent crime that has plagued St. Louis, the Missouri House of Representatives gave first round approval to legislation that would put the city’s police force under the control of a state-appointed board of police commissioners. With a voice vote, the House gave initial approval to my HB 359 and HBs 702, 53, 213, 216, & 306.

For more than 150 years the St. Louis Police Department was under the control of the state. However, in 2012 voters approved a ballot measure that put the department under the control of the city beginning in 2013. Supporters say HBs 702, 53, 213, 216, 306 & 359 is necessary because the problem of violent crime has become worse under city control.

HBs 702, 53, 213, 216, 306 & 359 would place control of the police department in the hands of the Board of Police Commissioners on August 28 of this year. The board would be made up of the mayor of St. Louis and four commissioners appointed by the governor. The four appointed members of the board would have to be residents of the City of St. Louis.

The bill also specifies that the board must appoint and employ a permanent police force of no less than 1,313 patrolmen. Additionally, the bill requires the board to increase annual salaries for officers by at least $4,000 by July 1, 2024.

The bill now requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate for consideration.

Missouri House Approves Legislation Limiting Foreign Ownership of Farmland

Members of the Missouri House this week approved a critical national security bill that would protect fair competition and limit foreign ownership of Missouri farmland by defined enemies of the United States of America. By a vote of 130-3, the House approved HBs 903, 465, 430 & 499 and sent the legislation to the Senate.

Trout season

It was an honor to attend the Opening Day of Trout Season at Montauk State Park, and meet with Oran C. Naramore, who fired the ceremonial opening day pistol to open trout season.

House Approves Legislation to Provide Property Tax Relief for Vehicle Owners

Missourians struggling with higher property tax rates on their vehicles may have some relief in sight under a legislative proposal approved by the Missouri House of Representatives. House members approved HB 713 by a vote of 150-0 and sent the legislation to the Senate for consideration.

HB 713 would change current state law that requires assessors to determine vehicle values by using the National Automobile Dealers’ Association Official Used Car Guide. The bill would repeal that requirement and instead have assessors use the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for all vehicles for the original value of all motor vehicle assessment valuations. The bill establishes a 15-year depreciation schedule that would be applied to the MSRP to develop the annual and historical valuation guide for all motor vehicles.

In order to give assessors time to transition to the new process if the bill becomes law, the legislation would not take effect until January 1, 2024. However, an amendment added on the House floor would allow assessors to utilize other sources to determine the true value of motor vehicles for 2023 assessments.

  House Approves Legislation to Prohibit Eviction Moratoriums

The Missouri House has advanced legislation to prohibit government entities from infringing on the rights of property owners. By a vote of 104-42, the House approved HB 730 to prevent the enactment of a moratorium on eviction proceedings.

The sponsor of the bill noted the COVID-19 pandemic led to the federal government instituting a moratorium on evictions. He noted that during the moratorium a landlord could not evict a tenant even for non-payment of rent.

HB 730 would simply prohibit any county, municipality, or political subdivision from imposing or enforcing a moratorium on eviction proceedings unless specifically authorized by state law.

An amendment added on the House floor expands the bill to also eliminate bureaucratic red tape by prohibiting political subdivisions from requiring a property owner to have a home inspection conducted for a residential property prior to the sale of the property. The provision would not impact the inspections for new construction or the inspections required by lending institutions for a home sale.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

HBs 575 & 910 specifies that any health carrier or health benefit plan that offers or issues health benefit plans that provide coverage for diagnostic breast examinations, coverage for supplemental breast examinations, low-dose mammography screenings, breast magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasounds, or any combination of such coverages cannot impose any deductible, coinsurance, co-payment, or similar out-of-pocket expense with respect to such coverage. This bill further provides that a mammography facility certified by the US FDA shall not require a person to obtain a referral from a primary care provider or other physician in order to receive a screening mammogram at the facility, so long as the facility is consistent with the recommendations in the most current breast cancer screening guidelines established by the US Preventive Services Task Force.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.