This is a very limited report.
It is Sunday and most of the bills that were completed the last two days of session are not on the internet as yet so I’ll post another report later this week or early next week.
What we know for sure:
HB 1862, Landlord/tenant was truly agreed and finally passed on Thursday, May 12. It was amended in the Senate to include language from SB 743 that requires landlords to place security deposits in a trust account. The bill was amended in committee to allow real estate licensees to use the provisions of 339.105. There was some initial concern about the amendment offered by Sen. Jill Schupp but after a conference call with Mission Advocacy Committee on Friday, May 6 it was decided to attempt to clean up the language or, if that was not possible, to go ahead and truly agree the bill in the House. After consultation with the sponsor, Rep. Gary Cross, we decided to simply accept the amendment and move forward. It’s good that we did because the confusion of the last three days of the session saw a number of conference reports and Senate Bills with House Amendments die when the Senate adjourned at 4:12 PM on Friday.
SB 932, that contained several issues including changes to the laws dealing with notary publics and language that allows for notary seals on electronic documents was truly agreed on Thursday, May 12 as well. The bill directs the Secretary of State to issue rules for the electronic notary portion of the bill so it will be some time before it is fully implemented but it is an important step forward.
One issue that did not pass was an attempt by Expedia to develop a structure for short term rentals. The issue will be back.