As a member of the House Conservative Caucus, I’ve committed to protecting the values and principles on which our nation was founded. The first bill we officially endorsed protects one of those principles – the right to Constitutional due process.
This bill, HB 573, will update procedures for dealing with “Title IX” cases in colleges and universities. Title IX is the federal law banning sex discrimination in institutions of higher learning. Under rules adopted by the Obama administration, sexual misconduct accusations against students are handled in a process heavily tilted against the accused. For instance, in many cases, students are not currently allowed the right to attorney, to cross examine and to present evidence. Plus, the penalties for conviction can be severe, including expulsion. This bill insures due process for all college students and securing just results for victims. In a recent survey, more than 80% of likely Missouri voters believe that college students deserve the same due process protections as other citizens, and I agree.
The House has given preliminary approval to legislation that would give Missourians a break on late payment of taxes. The bill comes in response to issues within the Department of Revenue that have resulted in many Missourians owing more income tax or getting smaller tax refunds this year.
This week my bill to require plaintiffs to be identified in church-state lawsuits passed a major hurdle. After contentious floor debate, the full House passed the bill by a 101-44 vote. This bill, HB 728, was sent to the Senate and will be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Other bills passed by the House and sent to the Senate include:
• HB 400 would expand the Missouri Returning Heroes Act to include combat veterans that served prior to September 11, 2001 and combat veterans who are eligible to register to vote in Missouri, registered to vote in Missouri, or are current Missouri residents. Additionally, this bill would place a cap of 30% on tuition and fees for qualified combat veterans pursuing graduate degrees, but not professional degrees, for a period of 20 years after an honorable discharge.
• HB 700 says that grandparents may file a motion to modify a decree of dissolution when they have been unreasonably denied a right to visit their grandchildren for a period of 30 days. Supporters say there are numerous societal problems leading to grandparents raising grandchildren for large portions of their grandchildren’s lives and terminating that relationship, or making it difficult, does not benefit the young children.
• HB 265 requires all nonfood items sold in the state capitol to be made in the USA. Supporters say it makes sense for the people’s capitol building to sell products made by Missourians, when possible, but to at least be made in the United States.
• HB 898 creates a “Back the Blue” license plate which will be available for a $10 contribution to the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation and a $15 fee in addition to normal registration costs.
• HB 106 provides that a real estate licensee shall not be liable for the accuracy of any information about the size of a property or improvements on the property, as long as the licensee discloses the source of the information before an offer to purchase is transmitted to the seller, unless the licensee knew the information was false or the licensee acted with reckless disregard as to whether such information was true or false.
I welcome your ideas, questions and concerns.
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Hardy Billington represents the 152nd District. Contact him at hardy.billington@house.mo.gov or by calling 573-751-4039.