Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a series of "non-controversial" bills into law on Tuesday, enacting changes to legislative employee pay during the summer, car sales and professional licensing.
Parson swiftly moved through seven bills Tuesday, marking the start of his action on a short list of legislation approved by the Missouri General Assembly during the most recent legislative session. Prior to Tuesday's signings, Parson had only acted on supplemental budget bills and the state's congressional redistricting map.
The new laws touch a wide array of topics, from gambling boat facilities to cottage food sales. Kelli Jones, a spokesperson for the governor, said Tuesday the bills were "non-controversial."
House Bill 2149, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, is one of the largest bills that was enacted and it changes several state regulations related to professional licenses.
The bill allows Missourians to take the land surveyor exam at any point after graduating high school, permits students to take the physical therapists license exam up to 90 days before graduation, and exempts military employees and contractors in the Innovative Readiness Training Program from Missouri licensing requirements if they already have a license in another state.
HB 2149 also enters Missouri into the Audiology & Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact, allows the Missouri Dental Board to consider pilot projects for new technology and practices in the field, and aligns state laws with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services health treatments, addressing delays to home healthcare services.
Parson also signed HB 2365, a bill Shields sponsored to clean up state statutes surrounding the Early Learning Quality Assurance Program. The legislation removes the program's pilot status, extends its sunset to 2028 and authorizes the Office of Childhood to continue providing consumer education.
Another bill signed Tuesday -- HB 1600, sponsored by Rep. Jason Chipman, R-Steelville -- removes the annual requirement that the General Assembly pass a resolution to keep legislative staff employed during summer months when the Legislature isn't in session.
"I think we better take care of this quick so we make sure everybody gets paid here in the summertime at the Capitol," Parson said before signing.
Several of the bills Parson approved deal with specific industries.
HB 2416, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Porter, R-Montgomery City, permits car dealerships to deliver documents and cars to customers' homes.
Parson said the legislation allows automotive dealers to provide better customer service in the state.
HB 1725, sponsored by Rep. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, updates state statutes related to lodging, no longer requiring hotels to post room rates if they are published online. It also requires hotels to give guests a receipt for items they store in safes or safe deposit boxes, lending more clarity to the state's liability laws surrounding items lost at hotels.
Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho, sponsored HB 1697, which allows Missouri cottage food producers to make more than $50,000 in annual revenue and sell products online to buyers in Missouri.
SB 987, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean, R-Peach Orchard, was the only Senate bill Parson signed Tuesday. The legislation permits gambling facilities to be within 1,000 feet of the main channels of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers if approved by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
"This is a huge, huge win for Pemiscot County and the casino," Bean said.
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Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune photo: Rep. Jeff Porter accepts a signed copy of his bill from Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday. Porter sponsored legislation to allow automotive dealerships to deliver cars and conduct business at a customer's home.