Most of the events this week at the Capitol centered on the CHIEFS winning the SUPER BOWL. The parade was held on Wednesday and many state legislators were in attendance. Some minor bills were heard on the floor including electric charging station requirements and Kansas City Police regulations.
I did have the privilege of talking with many individuals and organizations this week concerning legislation. Students and faculty from Nevada Regional Technical Center came in for their annual day at the capitol. It was great to highlight the many programs offered, how these programs benefit rural Missouri, workforce development, and the need across the state for ready and able highly skilled workers right out of high school.
Congressman Jason Smith was also at the capitol. It was great to hear many of the issues our state is facing in Washington DC. As a newly elected chair of Ways and Means he poses to do much good for America and Missouri. He also gave an update on China with the recent balloon event and the many threats China poses to all of us.
As always please reach out to my office with any legislation, problems or concerns you face. Stop in if you are even remotely close to Jefferson City office 114B
As always don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns I thank you for your support and am honored to be your representative in Jefferson City.
Protecting Businesses from Costly Mandates (HB 184)
Lawmakers approved legislation this week aimed at protecting businesses, schools, and churches from burdensome government mandates. By a vote of 105-36, the House approved HB 184 to prohibit local ordinances requiring businesses to pay for new electric vehicle charging stations.
The bill’s sponsor said his legislation comes in response to a trend that has seen municipalities mandate that small businesses, shopping centers, and churches install and pay for electric charging stations whenever they make improvements to their facilities. He said an ordinance in St. Louis County requires businesses to add and pay for electric charging stations even if they expand their parking lot.
The sponsor said, “Is it proper for a government to tell a business you have to do something that has nothing to do with your business? It will bring you no profit. It will bring you nothing. Which I think is not the role of government.”
He also noted that such requirements don’t appropriately belong in the category of building codes. “There are two things building codes are supposed to do. They’re supposed to give you safety and protect your health. This really has nothing to do with that,” he said.
HB 184 states that any political subdivision that adopts an ordinance, resolution, regulation, code, or policy that requires the installation of electric vehicle charging stations must pay all costs associated with the installation, maintenance, and operation of the stations. The bill also prohibits any political subdivision from requiring more than five electric vehicle charging stations per parking lot, or infrastructure for future installation of more than five vehicle charging stations, and the bill further states that such policies will only apply to parking lots with more than 30 parking spaces.
HB 184 now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Supplemental Funding Bill Sent to the Senate (HB 14)
By a vote of 151-2, Missouri House members approved a supplemental spending bill and sent it to the Senate for consideration. The legislation (HB 14) will allocate more than $627 million in funding for the current state operating budget.
Some of the highlights of the supplementing spending plan include:
• 8.7% pay increase for state workers
o Does not include general assembly and statewide elected officials.
o Additional $2 an hour shift differential for night shift direct care workforce (prisons, hospitals, other care facilities).
• $286.5 million in spending authority for the State Emergency Management Agency.
• $628,750 appropriation to the Department of Agriculture to help address the growing black vulture problem impacting livestock owners statewide.
• $20 million to establish school safety programs, including physical security upgrades and associated technology, bleeding control kits, and automatic external defibrillators.
State Representative
Please contact me at:
201 West Capitol Avenue, Room 114B
Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806
Phone: 573-751-4065
Email: Dane.Diehl@house.mo.gov
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