TO:  MTC Members

FROM:  Gary Figgins - Legislative Chair, Missouri Travel Council

The budget process is underway, and both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun deliberations. The year is shaping up to be very similar to recent years as legislators are now looking for ways to improve the state's financial condition without raising taxes, a promise that was repeated continually throughout last year's gubernatorial and legislative campaigns.

Division of Tourism Director John Robinson made a presentation on the progress of tourism in Missouri this past week to the House Appropriations Committee on Economic Development. MTC Legislative Consultant Dale Amick said that Robinson was well received, and committee members expressed support for the state's tourism efforts.

Governor Matt Blunt recommended the same funding level for the Division as in the current fiscal year. This fiscal year was the first year the Division was fully funded under the tourism financing mechanism. All state agencies are being told to look for areas that can be cut.

BILLS OF INTEREST
Legislative concerns other than those that received top billing in last year's campaigns are moving rather slowly, including a number of tourism-related bills. Missouri Travel Council went "on the record" in support of SB 193, which restructures the State Parks Board, and SB 274, which regulates travel clubs. MTC supported similar versions of these bills last year, however neither bill received a floor vote.

Several MTC members sent individual letters in support of SB 193. The bill was voted "do pass" out of the Agriculture, Conservation, Parks & Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday.

A hearing on SB 274 will be held Wednesday before the Small Business, Insurance & Industrial Relations Committee.

The Senate Education Committee will hear SB 197 this coming Tuesday. If passed, no elementary or secondary educational institution that receives any state funds whatsoever would be allowed to participate in any sporting event or athletic tournament held within the city limits of any municipality that has shown a tolerance of marijuana usage. That means that public school sporting events in Columbia would be up in smoke, so to speak. Far out.

EDUCATION
Leaders in both chambers had indicated that they would address problems with the school funding formula before tackling other issues during this session. Everyone seems in agreement that the system is flawed, but so far, no legislation has been introduced to address the problem. We will look for an opportunity to address a uniform school start-up date should any major education bill be introduced. Efforts to address the uniform date from an economic viewpoint have not been very successful the past few years. Most legislators see the school calendar as a local governing issue, and few legislators have demonstrated a willingness to take that control away from local school boards.

Some discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of addressing the school calendar issue from an academic performance standpoint. The idea has met with success in other states, however most travel industry members in Missouri agree that this process will take some lengthy grass-roots campaigning, probably eliminating the chances of seeing any results this year.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION REFORM
The Missouri Senate has approved legislation (SB 1) aimed at reforming the state's workers' compensation program. Proponents say the legislation will reduce workers' compensation insurance rates.

The legislation would tighten the definition of an injury in the workplace and strengthen penalties for fraud in the program.

TORT REFORM
The House Judiciary Committee has approved tort reform legislation (HB 393) aimed at reducing medical malpractice insurance rates and thus holding down health care costs for Missourians. The full House is expected to debate the legislation this coming week.

The legislation limits awards in lawsuits for non-economic damages and requires civil lawsuits for accidents and alleged medical malpractice to be filed in the county where the event occurred.

OTHER LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS
If you have a tourism-related bill that you would like Missouri Travel Council to watch, contact me at gfiggins@showmemissouri.net.
 
Gary Figgins
Legislative Chair
Missouri Travel Council
gfiggins@showmemissouri.net