By Don Phillips, State Representative
I’ve been very busy attending events, speaking to groups, and so forth since I last reported.  That’s been interrupted by trips to Jefferson City for “Special Session.”
Here’s an explanation of the terms I’ll be referring to in this report:
“Special Session” is called by the Governor for reviewing bills he feels are important to pass but didn’t pass during regular session. “Technical Session” involves committee work that’s related to the bills of the “Special Session.”  (Appropriate committees meet to work on the bills being focused on). “Veto Session” is when the General Assembly attempts to override a bill the Governor has vetoed.
The Governor called a “Special Session” last week for specific items with a focus on an economic development bill.  Only representatives that are on committees dealing with the bills of interest needed to be present. The rest of us arrived on Thursday and Friday for regular session.
Six bills were passed out of the House and sent to the Senate:
House Bill –1: Sponsored by Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, that would allow the city of St. Louis to establish and maintain a municipal police force completely under the city’s authority. (The St. Louis and Kansas City Police Departments are currently under the control of police commissioners appointed by the Governor).  H.B.-1 passed the House by a vote of 123-27.
House Bill-2: Sponsored by Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, would change the laws regarding the collection of monies owed to the state. H.B.-2 passed the House by a vote of 150-0.
House Bill–3: Sponsored by Rep. Tony Dugger, R-Hartville, would change the laws related to Presidential elections (change the date of the primary to coincide with the federal date).  H.B.-3 passed the House by a vote of 147-2.
House Bill-4: (H.B. 4 is the Economic Development Bill sponsored by Speaker Steve Tilley, however, it’s being considered by the Senate and hasn’t been passed in the House).
House Bill-5: Sponsored by Rep. Bill White, R-Joplin, would change the laws regarding the assessment of commercial real property destroyed by a natural disaster. (Prompted by the tornado in Joplin…as are the next two bills)H.B.-5 passed the House by a vote of 149-0.
House Bill-6: Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, would appropriate money for the purpose of matching F.E.M.A. expenditures due to natural disasters in the state of Missouri during 2011 for a period ending June 30, 2012.  H.B.-6 passed the House by a vote of 127-22.
House Bill-7: Also sponsored by Rep. Silvey, would establish a Joint Committee on Disaster Funding.  H.B.-7 passed the House by a vote of 129-22.
Note:  The various differences in total votes is dependent upon how many members of the House are present on the floor at the actual time votes are cast.

The House and Senate will reconvene on Monday, Sept. 12 with the House in “Technical Session” and meeting in committees.  “Veto Session” will be Wed., the 14th with any other “Special Session” business to be announced.  It’s also possible there may be a third week of “Special Session.”
I’ll be reporting after next week’s “Veto Session” as to how things went.
I’m honored to serve as your representative!
Email:      don.phillips@house.mo.gov    Phone:  573-751-3851.     Address:  Rep. Don Phillips, House Post Office, Room 135, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, MO  65101.

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