The House Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission recently approved a final state redistricting plan. The final plan, which was approved unanimously by all 20 commission members, is the first plan approved by a House Commission since 1991.
The new 153rd District will be Wayne, Carter, Ripley, Oregon and southern Shannon Counties.
The commission has posted the final plan for public viewing and can be accessed from the Redistricting Office’s website at https://oa.mo.gov/budget-planning/redistricting-office.
The commission was formed for the purpose of redistricting the 163 districts in the Missouri House of Representatives. It held public hearings throughout Missouri last fall.
The Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission failed to submit a tentative plan to the Secretary of State’s office by the Dec. 23, 2021, deadline. Per the Missouri Constitution, the Missouri Senate will now be redistricted by a new commission of six members appointed from among the judges of the appellate courts by the Missouri Supreme Court.
House approves bill to support agriculture
The members of the Missouri House have approved legislation that will renew key programs designed to support and promote agriculture in the state. With bipartisan support, the House approved HB 1720 to continue several agriculture programs that are priorities for the agriculture community in Missouri.
Agriculture is the number one revenue-producing industry in the state, generating just under $94 billion in economic contributions. One in 10 jobs in the state of Missouri are directly related to the agriculture industry.
HB 1720 also expands the Family Farm Livestock Loan Program so that more Missouri farmers will qualify. The program is currently limited to farmers with less than $250,000 in gross sales per year. The bill would double that amount to allow farmers with less than $500,000 in gross sales to qualify. The bill would also double the maximum amount of the loan for each type of livestock. The loan program has a return on investment of $7.85 per dollar invested.
HB 1720 also expands the Wood Energy Tax Credit until June 30, 2028, and consolidates all regulations dealing with anhydrous ammonia into the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which will reduce regulations on retailers of the substance that is the foundation for all nitrogen fertilizers. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
House approves bill to improve opioid addiction treatment
The Missouri House has given initial approval to legislation that would give the General Assembly greater flexibility when appropriating funds to fight opioid addiction. The bill was created in anticipation of a settlement with opioid distributors, and is designed to allow lawmakers to allocate funds to programs in state government that provide resources to victims of addiction.
In July, the Missouri Attorney General announced the state had reached a settlement with Johnson & Johnson and multiple opioid distributors. If all municipalities in Missouri sign onto the proposed settlement, the state will receive just over half a billion dollars. These funds would be used for addiction treatment, recovery, and intervention programs.
In 2020, 1,842 people in Missouri lost their lives to a drug overdose. The majority (73%) of the drug overdose deaths involved opioids. Supporters say HB 2162 is important to ensure the various state departments receive the funds they need to offer life-saving treatment to those battling addiction.
The bill received strong bipartisan support in the House. It requires an additional vote before moving to the Senate.
If you have any questions regarding any state matters or legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact email me at Darrell.Atchison@house.mo.gov or call 573-751-1066.
Atchison represents District 153, which includes Carter and Ripley counties and parts of Wayne and Butler counties.