Rep. Klindt’s column

by State Rep. David Klindt

The General Assembly will convene at noon on January 5, 2000, for the 2000 Legislative Session. Legislators began pre-filing bills on December 1, and already more than 100 bills have been pre-filed in the House of Representatives as well as several constitutional amendments. These bills will be considered by the Legislature during the upcoming session.

Following is a brief description of a few of the bills which are awaiting the Legislature’s review and possible action.

HB 1087 would exempt social security benefits from state income tax.

HB 1088 would change reassessment of real property from every two years to every four years. The bill does not reduce property taxes or provide any tax relief. It will keep property taxes from increasing every two years and postpone the increase to every four years.

HB 1091 eliminates the $500 loss limit on gambling boats. This is supported by the casinos because they stand to increase their profits from bigger gambling losses.

HB 1096 authorizes the State Highway Commission to establish toll roads and bridges anywhere in the state. The Commission is required to conduct a feasibility study on creating a toll road or bridge and then the Commission is empowered to decide whether or not to establish a toll road based upon their study.

HB 1098 changes current law by including a new definition of “continuing cohabitation.” If a spouse is receiving spousal support after a divorce, the bill will authorize the court to terminate the spousal support if the court finds that the spouse receiving support has been living with another “sex partner” for two years. The bill does not affect child support payments.

HB 1137 would exempt persons 25 years old and over from wearing a motorcycle helmet on roads and highways with speed limits of 45 mph or less. The governor vetoed a bill last year that exempted all persons over 21 years of age from wearing a motorcycle helmet on all roads and highways.

HB 1139 would create a $1,000 bonus for all active duty World War II veterans. For a veteran to be eligible for the bonus, he must have served 181 consecutive days, received an honorable discharge, have been a legal resident of Missouri when he entered the service, and be a legal resident on August 28, 2000. The bill specifies that if a veteran dies after applying for the bonus but before receiving the bonus, the bonus shall be paid to the veteran’s heirs. The bonuses will be paid for from gambling revenues.

HB 1163 prohibits child care facilities from being located in casinos except for providing child care for the employees of the casinos.

HJR 41 is a constitutional amendment to authorize the Commission to establish toll roads and bridges in Missouri.

I will keep you informed of the progress of these and other bills during the coming session.