Missouri REALTORS®,
It’s getting a little hectic in the Capitol. Spring break is just around the corner, the final day to file bills was last Friday, and bills are beginning to move. I’ve highlighted Bill specific information below.
Notary
Senate Committee Substitute (SCS) for SB 578, Senator Crawford’s Notary bill, has been passed out of committee. The SCS contains elements of both Senator Crawford’s bill and Senator White’s SB 593.
The House hearing on Notary was held on February 26, 2020. Both HB 1690 by Representative Grier, and HB 1874 by Representative Gregory, were heard and they are likely to move forward with a compromise similar to the Senate bill.
Service Dogs
Senator Denny Hoskins’ SB 644 has been voted out of committee. Representative Chrissy Sommer’s HB 1319 has as well.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
Senate Economic Development heard Senator Dan Hegeman’s SB 549 on February 25, 2020. I testified in opposition to the bill as introduced with comments on the problems that the pilot program to certificate (sell the state credits individually) the credits. Senator Denny Hoskins asked some excellent questions and appeared to agree that portion of the bill was a problem. Senator Hoskins is a CPA.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
The House Banking Committee scheduled a hearing on PACE and then canceled the hearing. It appears likely that the bill, HB 1555, will be heard sometime before Spring Break.
Fresh Start Act
There are versions of this in both the House and Senate. I testified in opposition to HB 2141 because it would eliminate language in the Real Estate License Law that prohibits licensing persons convicted of several classes of crimes. These include first-degree murder, rape, crimes against the family, and child pornography. I’m working with Senator Andrew Koenig’s office to come to some compromise that will retain this prohibition. Senator Koenig introduced the Senate version, SB 647.
Sam Licklider
Chief Lobbyist, Missouri REALTORS®