JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - As the 2018 legislative session began at noon Wednesday, some legislation had already been introduced.
State Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County, seeks to reform Missouri's boards and commissions. Her proposed legislation is made up of four proposals (Senate Bills 843, 844, 845 and 848) intended to implement several changes recommended by the state's Boards and Commissions Task Force.
Senate Bill 844
Riddle wants to reduce the number of gubernatorial appointments by 125. Senate Bill 844 would transfer certain appointment powers to the director of the Division of Professional Registration and, she said, eliminate duplicate boards and commissions. This would reduce the lengthy process of gubernatorial appointments, while helping to ensure these professionals retain a voice in the regulation of their specific vocation, she added.
"My goal is to create a functioning and effective Boards and Commissions system," Riddle said. "Too often, the size of many of these boards and commissions make it difficult for these groups to effectively conduct their business.
"While many of Missouri's boards and commissions meet regularly and serve vital roles, there are several that are outdated and no longer serve a purpose. It is my hope that this legislative package is the first step towards shrinking the number of gubernatorial appointments, and that it receives strong bi-partisan support."
According to the bill, appointments affected include the Advisory Commission for Clinical Perfusionists, the Missouri Acupuncturist Advisory Committee, the Advisory Commission for Dental Hygienists, the Advisory Commission for Anesthesiologist Assistants, the Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists and the Advisory Commission for Physician Assistants.
Senate Bill 843
Senate Bill 843 would repeal the State Unemployment Council and require the state auditor, currently Democrat Nicole Galloway, to fulfill a duty of the council regarding a study of the state's unemployment system.
Additionally, passage of SB 843 also would address the following:
The expiration date for the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund and a tax refund checkoff to such fund would be removed and the administration of the fund would be changed from the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund Board, which is repealed by the act, to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.
The composition of the Missouri Women's Council would be modified. The council would reduce from 15 to 13 members with nine, rather than 11, members appointed by the governor. Members would serve terms of four years rather than three, and could be reappointed. The council, rather than the governor, would annually elect a chair and vice-chair.
The Missouri Area Health Education Centers Council would be repealed and the director of the Department of Health and Senior Services would assume all duties of the council.
The Unmarked Human Burial Consultation Committee would be repealed and the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation would assume all duties of that committee.
The Life Sciences Research Board would be repealed and duties of the board assumed by the Department of Economic Development. Sections of law enacted by SB 7 (2011), which was ruled unconstitutional, would be repealed.
A subcommittee on the development of a comprehensive entry point system for long-term care within the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee would be repealed. The Professional Services Payment Committee also would be repealed.
The act would reduce the membership of the Children's Trust Fund Board from 21 to 17 members with eight, rather than 12, public members appointed by the governor.
The act would codify the creation of the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which was originally created by an executive order. The council would have authority to review and approve nominations to the National Register, reviewing completed state historic preservation plans and providing guidance to the state historic preservation officer.
The duties of the Interior Design Council would transfer to the Division of Professional Registration. The director of the division, rather than the governor, would appoint members of the council.
General Assembly members would be removed from the Missouri Film Commission.
The director of the Department of Mental Health, rather than the governor, would appoint certain members of the Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders and such members may be reappointed.
The Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission would be repealed.
Senate Bill 845
Senate Bill 845's passage would remove members of the General Assembly as members of the task force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children and add the directors of Children's Division, the Department of Mental Health and the Children's Trust Fund Board. The bill would also remove two teachers and add a school principal and a school counselor and remove the at-large member. Additionally, the act would require the director of the Department of Social Services to appoint all members currently appointed by the governor.
The act also would direct the task force to focus on the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. The Department of Social Services, beginning next Jan. 1, would work with the task force to make yearly reports to the General Assembly. Finally, the task force could adopt and submit to the commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education policy recommendations addressing sexual abuse of children as specified in the act.
Senate Bill 848
Senate Bill 848 would reduce the membership of the Board for Certification of Interpreters from five members to three, and assures one board member be deaf, another be a certified interpreter and another be either deaf or a certified interpreter. If approved, this bill would be effective Aug. 28.