Category Archives: Missouri Senate

Medicaid expansion? What Medicaid expansion?

03 Monday May 2021

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The Rural Health Safety Net Under Pressure: Rural Hospital Vulnerability
February 2020

[….]

States in the Southeast and lower Great Plains have borne the brunt of the closure crisis. States experiencing the highest number of rural hospital closures since 2010 include Texas (20), Tennessee (12), Oklahoma (7), Georgia (7), Alabama (6) and Missouri (6). Our analysis shows that hospitals located in states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion have lower median operating margin and have a higher percentage of rural hospitals operating with a negative operating margin (see Figure 2). Of the eight states with the highest levels of closures since 2010, none are Medicaid expansion states.

[….]

Similarly, states with the highest number of ‘at risk’ facilities are Texas (36), Kansas (19), Missouri (15), Nebraska (14) and Mississippi (13). While Nebraska has seen only one rural hospital close since 2010, Missouri has lost six and Kansas and Mississippi have each lost five.

[….]

Denny Hoskins (r) [2017 file photo].

What the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly spends its time on – an email update from Denny Hoskins (r):

District 21 Capitol Report, Week of 04-29-2021
Denny Hoskins
Week of April 26, 2021

Fighting the Fight

This week one of the most anticipated bills of the 2021 legislative session came up for debate in the Senate chamber. The initial discussion on Senate Bill 39, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, went as might be expected. Proponents of the bill (which I am proudly one of) argued the measure is necessary to protect the rights of Missourians in the face of gun control proposals from the current administration in Washington, D.C. The bill would exempt Missouri from any federal laws that restrict the right to keep and bear arms in violation of the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions. Opponents of the bill held the floor with inquiries and amendments. This went on for several hours before the sponsor laid the bill on the informal calendar. I’m confident we’ll have another opportunity to pass SB 39 (or the House version) before the end of session on May 14. It won’t be easy, and I’m bracing for a hard-fought effort to overcome opposition if we’re going to get this through to the finish.

Also this week, the Senate debated my Senate Bill 98. A comprehensive package of legislation relating to gaming in Missouri, the bill is the result of five years of work and compromise. I have met with any and every party willing to come to the table to negotiate a regulatory framework for gaming in our state. Fellow legislators, regulators, concerned citizens and businesses of all sizes have consistently been willing to work with me in this endeavor.

I believe the measure I presented to the Senate this week would finally address the proliferation of illegal gaming machines across Missouri, while providing increased opportunities for the state’s residents to participate in games and place wagers in a legal, regulated gaming environment. The legislation would authorize a system of video lottery terminals, and bring sports bets out of the shadows. Together, these activities could provide more than $200 million in new revenue for education and veteran’s programs in our state.

I am disappointed the discussions surrounding SB 98 eventually reached an impasse on the Senate floor. However, I am not discouraged. I believe Missourians desire safe, legal and fair gaming opportunities and I am convinced our schools and veteran’s facilities could benefit greatly from these activities. I will continue to work with anyone willing to engage in honest, productive discussions about ending illegal gambling in our state and replacing it with regulated games that benefit all Missourians.

In other legislative action, my Senate Bill 152 received a “do pass” recommendation from the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. This bill brings Missouri’s 529 education savings program in line with federal 529 plans and also expands gifted education programs in local schools. I’m hopeful the full House will approve this bill, and we can get it sent to the governor’s desk.

Finally, the Senate approved its version of the state budget this week. Next week, the differences between the House and Senate appropriations bills will be sorted out by a conference committee, with members from both chambers. A final version of the Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget will need to be approved by the full General Assembly prior to 6 p.m. Friday, May 7. All eyes were on the Senate chamber Wednesday night to see whether we would appropriate money for Medicaid expansion. We did not. I joined with 19 other members of the Senate to vote to defeat Medicaid expansion. My vote to oppose the increase is consistent with the will of the voters of my district, as well as my promise to oppose Medicaid expansion that I made to voters in 2016 and 2020.

[….]

From the Missouri Secretary of State:

State of Missouri – Primary Election, August 04, 2020
Constitutional Amendment No. 2 [Medicaid expansion] 3575 of 3575 Precincts Reported
YES 676,687 53.275%
NO 593,491 46.725%
Total Votes: 1,270,178

It’s now in the Missouri Constitution.

For right wingnut republicans that doesn’t matter, it’s all about the cruelty.

Constituent outreach

30 Friday Apr 2021

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Primum non nocere…

Dr. Bob Onder @BobOnderMO
Medicaid expansion fails in mo senate!
11:05 PM · Apr 28, 2021

He seems excited for all that continuing human misery.

There are responses:

Another way to say that is we denied the people a Constitutional Right.

And you are excited by this? Direct opposition to Missouri voters? What happened to the guy canvassing my neighborhood who said he was excited to work for the Missouri people? This victory lap of disdain for Missouri voters is gross and unprofessional.

And you’re proud of that?

Republicans ignoring the will of the people. Seems like a great strategy. Keep it up.

#DemocracyOnFire

Isn’t it amazing? Republicans across the nation are only concerned about the deficit & spending when it doesn’t support their programs to put more money in the wealthiest pockets.

The bottom line is they don’t care about the poor and the middle class.

Ignoring the will of the people is pretty on brand for #moleg

So much for Pro Life.

It’s weird, I thought this was passed by the voters. Also, is he bragging about this?

His ebullience would indicate this is so.

I can’t figure out what’s more important to him, “not expanding the welfare state” as he says or ignoring the democratic will of MO voters? I guess @BobOnderMO can answer that. He’s a Dr.

We can always count on Republicans to go against the will of the people. Glad you are so proud of that.

The cruelty is the point.

Alternative Dr Bob: “hooray for me, I’m a fucking prick!”

Could have just tweeted: “We completely ignored voters!”

See you in court

Shame on you. Shame.

So you violated the Missouri Constitution?

You’re a doctor who doesn’t want healthcare for the people in your state who overwhelmingly voted for it.

Yet, it was voted FOR by the citizens. So you are celebrating violating the will of Missourians because you don’t wanna.

You failed Missouri. We voted for it. You are going against the will of the people, saying we didn’t know what we voted for. The same people who elected you. We the people will have fun voting you out of office too.

You are a total disgrace.

Good job fucking over the kids and the poors, and the doctors like me trying to figure out how to care for all of them as they struggle without insurance. You @GOP assholes can fuck off.

Uh, they still don’t care.

HB 271: Merry Christmas

28 Wednesday Apr 2021

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Christmas Tree – a bill before the Missouri General Assembly utilized as a vehicle to pass legislation which has not progressed or might not otherwise progress in the legislative process by hanging that legislation in the form of an amendment, like a Christmas tree ornament, on the original bill. The process can and does escalate. There is a point when enough amendments have been added that the bill is generally described as “a Christmas Tree”.

Yesterday in the Missouri General Assembly:

HB 271 – Modifies provisions relating to expenditures of local governments

Available Senate Amendments

Amendment Status Date Offered
0195S.04F 4/27/2021 – Withdrawn 4/27/2021 – SS for SCS S offered (Crawford)–(0195S.04F)
0195S04.12S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 1 to SS for SCS S offered (Onder)–(0195S04.12S)
0195S04.13S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 1 to SA 1 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Rowden)–(0195S04.13S)
0195S04.10S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 2 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (O’Laughlin)–(0195S04.10S)
0195S04.17S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 3 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Hegeman)–(0195S04.17S)
0195S04.06S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 4 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (White)–(0195S04.06S)
0195S04.23S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 5 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Schatz)–(0195S04.23S)
0195S04.03S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 6 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Schupp)–(0195S04.03S)
0195S04.01S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 7 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Brattin)–(0195S04.01S)
0195S04.11S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 8 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Cierpiot)–(0195S04.11S)
0195S04.08S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 9 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Luetkemeyer)–(0195S04.08S)
0195S04.29S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 10 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (May)–(0195S04.29S)
0195S04.25S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 11 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Roberts)–(0195S04.25S)
0195S04.27S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 12 to SS for SCS S offered (Moon)–(0195S04.27S)
0195S04.36S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 1 to SA 12 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Onder)–(0195S04.36S)
0195S04.28S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 13 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Brown)–(0195S04.28S)
0195S04.37S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 14 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Razer)–(0195S04.37S)
0195S04.22S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 15 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Bernskoetter)–(0195S04.22S)
0195S04.21S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 16 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Burlison)–(0195S04.21S)
0195S04.35S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 17 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Luetkemeyer)–(0195S04.35S)
0195S04.14S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 18 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Eigel)–(0195S04.14S)
0195S04.32S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 19 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Eigel)–(0195S04.32S)
0195S04.15S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 20 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Wieland)–(0195S04.15S)
0195S04.26S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 21 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Rowden)–(0195S04.26S)
0195S04.31S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 22 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Schatz)–(0195S04.31S)
0195S04.41S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 23 to SS for SCS S offered (May)–(0195S04.41S)
0195S04.43S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 1 to SA 23 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Riddle)–(0195S04.43S)
0195S04.42S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 24 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Luetkemeyer)–(0195S04.42S)
0195S04.20S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 25 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Wieland)–(0195S04.20S)
0195S04.39S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 26 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Hough)–(0195S04.39S)
0195S04.44S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 27 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Roberts)–(0195S04.44S)
0195S04.45S 4/27/2021 – Moot 4/27/2021 – SA 28 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Brattin)–(0195S04.45S)
0195S.06F 4/27/2021 – Adopted, as amended 4/27/2021 – SS#2 for SCS S offered (Crawford)–(0195S.06F)
0195S06.01S 4/27/2021 – Adopted 4/27/2021 – SA 1 to SS#2 for SCS S offered & adopted (Wieland)–(0195S06.01S)

As HB 271 now appears on the House side:

HB 271
Establishes the “Missouri Local Government Expenditure Database”
Sponsor: Wiemann, John (103)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2021
LR Number: 0195S.03C
Last Action: 04/27/2021 – Placed on Informal Calendar – SA1 to SA 1, SA 1 as amended, SA 2, SA 3, SA 4, SA 5, SA 6, SA 7, SA 8, SA 9, SA 10, SA 11, SA 1 to SA 12, SA 12 as amended, SA 13, SA 14, SA 15, SA 16, SA 17, SA 18, SA 19, SA 20, SA 21, SA 22, SA 1 to SA 23, SA 23 as amended, SA 24, SA 25, SA 26, SA 27 and SA 28, pending
Bill String: SCS HCS HB 271
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar
[….]

If enough legislators have a vested interest in an ornament or two on the tree the likelihood of the bill passing, as amended, increases.

The original bill summary (as introduced):

HB 271 — LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE DATABASE
SPONSOR: Wiemann

This bill establishes the “Missouri Local Government Expenditure Database”, to be maintained by the Office of Administration. For each fiscal year beginning after December 31, 2022, the database must include extensive information about a given municipality’s or county’s expenditures and the vendors to whom payments were made. The database must be accessible by the public without charge and have multiple ways to search and filter the information. A municipality or county may voluntarily participate in the database, or may be required to participate if a petition process used by its residents is used to require participation as specified in the bill. A link to the database on a municipal or county website is required.

The Office of Administration may stipulate a format for information and will provide a template for municipalities and counties to use in sending information. Other duties and responsibilities of the Office of Administration regarding the database are detailed in the bill. Financial reimbursement to municipalities and counties for costs associated with the database is authorized.

This bill is the same as HB 1933 (2020).

Transparency, you say? How ironic.

That’s okay, there’s a duplicate tracking microchip in your smart phone

01 Thursday Apr 2021

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Denny Hoskins (r) [2017 file photo].

This evening:

Is that a single mask in there?

Senator Denny Hoskins, CPA @DLHoskins
Another record-breaking, sold out crowd at 2021 Saline County Republican Lincoln Days! Rural MO is fired up and they are excited the MO Senate passed a prohibition on requiring a MO COVID vaccine passport this week!
[….]
7:28 PM · Apr 1, 2021

Science!

SB 528: Wolverines!

24 Wednesday Mar 2021

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Go ahead. Read the bill summary.

“…Additionally, the state shall have immunity from liability for compensatory damages for negligent acts or omissions of any volunteer of the minutemen and from any criminal act committed by any volunteer of the minutemen while enrolled in the minutemen or while acting in the course of his or her duties.”

What could possibly go wrong?

SB 528 Creates the minutemen of the state
Sponsor: White
LR Number:2225S.04I
Committee:General Laws
Last Action:3/4/2021 – Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee
Journal Page:S416
Title:
Calendar Position:
Effective Date:August 28, 2021

Current Bill Summary

SB 528 – This act establishes that there shall be the minutemen of the state which shall be called into service by the governor for use in defense during a state of emergency with consent of two-thirds of the General Assembly.

Any legal Missouri resident who is eligible to be a lawful firearm owner may voluntarily join the minutemen by enrolling with the Department of Public Safety. Only the volunteer’s name and address shall be collected by the Department. The volunteer shall keep his or her address current with the Department. The list of enrolled minutemen with the Department is not subject to disclosure under law and shall not be shared or disseminated. Any person responsible for any unauthorized disclosure of this list, in part or in whole, shall be subject to a $1,000 fine per each name that is disclosed and a Class E felony. A volunteer may resign at an time prior to being called into service under this section.

All volunteers shall be required to secure themselves with firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, uniforms, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform any duties as assigned by the governor. Any such firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, uniforms, equipment, and supplies shall be property of the state for purposes of sovereignty and jurisdiction in matters of judicial, taxation, and police powers exercised by the state when a member is called into service. All firearms and equipment of the minutemen shall not be subject to an tax or registration requirements.

This act also provides that governor shall make and publish such regulations governing the organization, discipline, and training of the minutemen of the state as may be necessary to its efficiency and such regulations shall have the authority of law. The governor is the commander in chief of the minutemen of the state. The governor shall be charged with the supervision of all matters pertaining to the administration, discipline, mobilization, organization, and training of the minutemen of the state.

This act does not include members of the organized or unorganized militia pursuant to current law. Additionally, the state shall have immunity from liability for compensatory damages for negligent acts or omissions of any volunteer of the minutemen and from any criminal act committed by any volunteer of the minutemen while enrolled in the minutemen or while acting in the course of his or her duties.
[….]

Will they be wearing brown shirts? Just asking.

SB 532: piling on

24 Wednesday Feb 2021

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“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

We now know with certainty what qualifies for republican sainthood in Missouri.

Holly Rehder (r) [2013 file photo].

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 532 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR REHDER.
2586S.01I ADRIANE D. CROUSE, Secretary

AN ACT

To amend chapter 9, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to Rush Limbaugh day.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 9, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 9.319, to read as follows:

9.319. January twelfth each year is hereby designated as “Rush Limbaugh Day” in Missouri. Citizens of this state are encouraged to celebrate the day by participating in appropriate events and activities to remember the life of the famous Missourian and groundbreaking radio host.

“…Citizens of this state are encouraged to celebrate the day by participating in appropriate events and activities…”

Any bets on what some people will consider “appropriate events and activities”? Heh.

Previously:

Gaslighting as a way of life (February 17, 2021)

An Icon of what? (February 18, 2021)

HB 1200: to celebrate the reality of Missouri (February 19, 2021)

Josh Hawley (r): “I no mye misoori constitutents our reely stoopit.”

14 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by in Josh Hawley, Missouri Senate, social media

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Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

Yesterday, via Twitter:

How angelic.

Senator Hawley Press Office @SenHawleyPress
“Many, many citizens in Missouri have deep concerns about election integrity,” Hawley writes.

“They have a right to be heard in Congress. And as their representative, it is my duty to speak on their behalf. That is just what I did last week.”
[….]
2:54 PM · Jan 13, 2021

What an asshole.

Some of the responses:

Joshua, the majority of Missourians do not have deep concerns about the election.

You’d know that if you ever step foot here.

Your duty is to honor your oath to the Constitution–which means upholding our electoral process–even if your base believes the lies you told them.

After you have fully swallowed the Big Lie, the only choice is to keep lying. You can’t turn back once you’ve gone this far.

“Many, many citizens in Missouri have been lied to non-stop about election integrity.”

“They have a right to hear the truth. And as their representative, it is my duty to speak truth to them. But when the truth and my political ambitions are at odds, truth loses.”

@HawleyMO either doesn’t understand how the First Amendment works or assumes that his constituents do not understand how the first amendment works. Either way is frustrating and disconcerting.

So I can understand; you exhort the mob but when the mob becomes lawless you stand for the principle that the mob is being lawless about so that violence is overcome

“I will not bow to a lawless mob, or allow criminals to drown out the legitimate concerns of my constituents”

keep dreaming… it’s good to have fantasies

Typically what happens when their leaders LIE to them. It’s the self-licking ice cream cone.

Hawley didn’t bow to a lawless mob – he saluted them.

And that tells the whole story.

How many tours of the capitol did he give after the photo shoot?

They have concerns because you lied to them and told them they should have concerns.

Tell them you lied. Tell them the truth about the election. Tell them you deliberately incited insurrection to advance your political career. Resign. Go to jail.

Do your duty.

Missourians have a right not to have their senator spreading seditious lies.

They have deep concerns because y’all freaking told them to have deep concerns. It’s your job to tell them the truth. If 70% of your constituents think the sky is pink, no it’s not your job to introduce a bill stating so. It’s your job to tell them it’s not.

“Irregardless” of what he will say,
Josh has thrown his whole future away.
Even @Hallmark is woke
to the fact he’s a joke.
Insurrection: a poor hand to play.
Although Hawley is but 41,
his political future is done.
[….]

Your staff who helped you write this will never be able to clean off the blood from their hands.

Out, out, damn Trump.

I’m your constituent. Joe Biden won a fair election. If anyone has concerns, it’s bc you lied & misled them. There’s been no evidence of voter fraud affecting the outcome of this election. You are smart enough to know that & chose to mislead & damage democracy for political gain

well sparky, they have concerns ’cause you keep lying to them about a “steal” that didn’t happen. You have that Ivy League Degree, surely even you can figure out that the solution to that problem is not to amplify that lie further, & rather find the courage to tell MO the truth

What he did was an embarrassment to all Missourians. There is no sugar coating it. He attempted to subvert democracy in a free and fair election. If I rob a bank, I cant claim it was to raise concerns about interest rates because I wear a shirt that says lower interest rates.

Please do explain how 60+ courts with experienced judges got it all wrong but Genius Boy Josh Hawley got it all right.

‘Cause he says he’s a “Constitutional lawyer.”

Politics would have a lot more integrity if you weren’t participating, Josh.

Dayam. That one left a mark.

They have concerns since they believed lies from Trump, GOP, wacko lawyers, and right wing media over the 64 lost court cases. Just because you didn’t like how some states made it safer to vote during the pandemic doesn’t mean their votes should be thrown out.

Most people just concerned about face painted thugs killing people inside the Capitol. Everything else pales in comparison.

I have a deep concern about your residence and it is shared by millions of us.

Resign

Shhh, we know what you are.
[….]

And on and on.

Previously:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Warrensburg – Press Q and A – August 17, 2017 (August 17, 2017)

What passes for a flatbed truck at “…Yale, I think, or Harvard, one of those, one of those fancy ones…” (August 16, 2018)

Josh Hawley (r): throwing shit against the wall to see if anything sticks (December 30, 2020)

Josh Hawley (r): ladders and rakes (December 30, 2020)

Ladder Climbing 101: by the book (December 31, 2020)

Burning bridges (December 31, 2020)

Sedition, sedition…sedition (January 2, 2021)

What it is, is sedition… (January 3, 2021)

If you can’t stand the heat, trample people on your way to a live mic (January 3, 2021)

Nothing much going on. Why do you ask? (January 3, 2021)

The third Senator from Virginia (January 5, 2021)

Fascist pig (January 6, 2021)

What hath Josh Hawley (r) wrought? (January 6, 2021)

Josh Hawley (r): Dumbass (January 7, 2021)

Sedition is bad for business (January 11, 2021)

HCR 10 and HCR 11 (January 12, 2021)

SB 256 and SB 98: a bold vision for the future of Missouri

08 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

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On the other hand, it does make some sense since Governor Mike Parson (r) is so intent on gambling on our health and lives.

Caleb Rowden (r) [2016 file photo].

A bill, prefiled in the Senate:

SB 256
Authorizes sports wagering
Sponsor: Rowden
LR Number:1108S.01I
Committee:
Last Action:12/2/2020 – Prefiled

[….]

Current Bill Summary

SB 256 – This act authorizes sports wagering, and modifies the definition of “gambling game” to include sports wagering. (Section 313.800)

Sports wagering shall only be authorized to be conducted on an excursion gambling boat or over the internet to persons physically located in this state. Such licensed facilities shall apply to the Missouri Gaming Commission for authorization to conduct sports wagering, and shall pay an application fee of $50,000. If granted a certificate of authority, a certificate holder shall be authorized to conduct sports wagering in a licensed facility or through an interactive sports wagering platform, as defined in the act. (Section 313.1006)

Certificate holders shall designate an area within the licensed facility for conducting sports wagering. (Section 313.1008)

Certificate holders shall ensure that the certificate holder’s surveillance system covers all areas in which sports wagering is conducted, allow the Commission to be present through gaming agents during the hours sports wagering is conducted, ensure that individuals under the age of 21 are not making sports wagers, provide certain information to sports wagering patrons, and post a sign indicating the minimum and maximum amounts that may be wagered. Certificate holder shall also establish house rules specifying the amounts to be paid on winning wagers, the effect of schedule changes, and the source of the information used to determine the outcome of wagers, as described in the act.

This act authorizes the Commission to enter into agreements with other juridictions to facilitate, administer, and regulate multi-jurisdictional sports betting. (Section 313.1004)

Subject to the approval of the Commission, a certificate holder may contract with a third party to conduct sports wagering at the certificate holder’s licensed facility. (Section 313.1008)

An interactive sports wagering platform, as defined in the act, may apply to the Commission for authority to offer sports wagering on behalf of a certificate holder. Such interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an application fee of $50,000. Each year after licensure, an interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an annual license renewal fee of $20,000. (Section 313.1010)

The Commission shall promulgate rules for a sports wagering self-exclusion program, as described in the act. The Commission shall also promulgate rules to ensure that advertisements for sports wagering do not target minors or other persons who are ineligible to place wagers, problem gamblers, or other vulnerable persons. (Section 313.1012)

The Commission shall conduct background checks on individuals seeking licenses under the act. Such background checks shall include a search for criminal history and any charges or convictions involving corruption or manipulation of sporting events.

A sports governing body may notify the Commission that it desires to restrict, limit, or exclude sports wagers, as defined in the act, on its sporting events. Such governing body shall demonstrate good cause that indicates a credible threat to the integrity of sports wagering that is beyond the control of the governing body to preemptively remedy or mitigate.

The Commission and certificate holders shall cooperate with investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies. (Section 313.1014)

A certificate holder shall maintain records of all bets and wagers placed through an interactive sports wagering platform, and all bets and wagers placed in person that exceed $10,000 in a 24-hour period, including personally identifiable information of the bettor, the amount and type of bet, the time the bet was placed, the location of the bet, the outcome of the bet, and records of abnormal betting activity for at least three years after the sporting event occurs. (Section 313.1016)

A tax is imposed at a rate of 6.75% on the adjusted gross receipts received from sports wagering conducted by a certificate holder. Such tax shall be remitted by the last business day of each month. Revenues received from the tax shall be deposited in the Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund.

A certificate holder shall also pay to the Commission an annual administrative fee of $20,000. In addition to such administrative fee, a certificate holder shall pay to the Commission a fee of $10,000 every five years for a reinvestigation of the certificate holder. Such fees shall be deposited in the Gaming Commission Fund. (Section 313.1021)

All sports wagers placed under this act shall be deemed to be initiated, received, and otherwise made on the property of an excursion gambling boat in this state. The intermediate routing of electronic data shall not determine the location or locations in which such wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made. (Section 313.1022)

[….]

Anything else important going on?

And:

Denny Hoskins (r) [2016 file photo].

SB 98
Modifies provisions relating to gaming
Sponsor: Hoskins
LR Number:0740S.02I
Committee:
Last Action:12/1/2020 – Prefiled

[….]

SB 98 – This act modifies several provisions relating to gaming.

MISSOURI VIDEO LOTTERY CONTROL ACT

This act establishes the Missouri Video Lottery Control Act.

This act allows the State Lottery Commission to implement a system of video lottery game terminals and to issue licenses to video lottery game manufacturers, distributors, operators, handlers, and retailers, as defined in the act. The Commission shall not allow a single vendor or licensee to be responsible for implementing the program, nor shall it allow a single vendor or licensee to control or operate more than twenty-five percent of video lottery game terminals in the state after December 31, 2026. (313.429.1 and .2)

Video lottery game terminals may be placed in fraternal organizations, veterans’ organizations, truck stops, as defined in the act, and retail establishments licensed to sell liquor, beer, or wine for on-premise consumption. (Section 313.427)

Video lottery game terminals shall be connected to a centralized computer system developed or procured by the Commission. No video lottery game terminal shall be placed in operation without first connecting to such centralized computer system.

The Commission may impose a non-refundable application fee, as described in the act. The initial license shall be for a period of one year. Thereafter, the license renewal period shall be four years with the applicable license renewal fee paid for each year such license is renewed, as described in the act. In addition to such license fees, video lottery game operators shall pay the Commission an annual license fee of $200 for each video lottery game terminal placed in service. No license shall be issued to any person who has been convicted of a felony or crime involving illegal gambling. Sales agents shall register with the Commission and may not solicit or enter into any agreement with a retailer or retail establishment prior to such registration with the Commission. (Section 313.429.3 and .4)

Video lottery game operators shall pay winning tickets using a video lottery game ticket redemption terminal, which shall be located within the video lottery game retailer’s establishment in direct proximity of where such video lottery games are offered. Video lottery game operators shall pay to the Commission thirty-two percent of any unclaimed cash prizes associated with winning tickets that have not been redeemed within 180 days of issue.

Video lottery game operators and video lottery game retailers shall enter into a written agreement for the placement of video lottery game terminals. The agreement shall specify an equal division of adjusted gross receipts between the operator and retailer after adjustments for taxes and administrative fees are made. Video lottery game operators and video lottery game retailers are prohibited from offering anything of value other than the percentage of adjusted gross receipts for the placement of video lottery terminals. Persons violating such prohibition forfeit the right to operate video lottery game terminals for a one-year period. (Section 313.429.7)

The cost of video lottery game terminal credits shall be $0.01, $0.05, $0.10, or $0.25, and the maximum wager played per video lottery game shall not exceed $5.00. No cash award for the maximum wager played on any individual lottery game shall exceed $1,000.

Operators shall not operate more than ten terminals at any one fraternal organization, veterans organization, or truck-stop, and not more than five terminals in any one establishment licensed to sell liquor by the drink for on-premise consumption. (Section 313.429.8)

A person under the age of twenty-one shall not play video lottery games, and such video lottery game terminals shall be under the supervision of a person that is at least twenty-one years of age. Video lottery game terminals shall be placed in a fully enclosed room that is continually monitored by video surveillance and where access to persons under the age of twenty-one is prohibited. Recorded video surveillance shall be made available as reasonably and specifically requested by the Commission. An operator that fails to review such video and report any known violation of law may be subject to an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000. Any operator or retailer found to have knowingly committed a violation of provisions governing the conduct of video lottery games may be subject to a fine of $5,000, the suspension of such operator’s retailer’s license for up to thirty days, or, in the case of repeated violations, the revocation of such operator’s or retailer’s license for up to one year. (Section 313.429.9)

Video lottery game operators shall pay to the Commission thirty-six percent of the video lottery game adjusted gross receipts. The net proceeds of the sale of video lottery game tickets shall be appropriated equally to public elementary and secondary education and public institutions of higher education, with an emphasis on funding elementary and secondary education student transportation costs and public institutions of higher education workforce development programs. The Commission shall compensate the administrative costs of the city or county in which a video lottery retailer maintains an establishment in an amount equal to four percent of the video lottery game adjusted gross receipts.

The remainder of video lottery game adjusted gross receipts, after the cost of the centralized computer system and administrative costs are paid and apportioned, shall be retained by video lottery game operators and shall be split evenly between video lottery game operators and video lottery game retailers as provided under an agreement. (Section 313.429.10)

All revenues collected by the Commission from license renewal fees and any reimbursements associated with the enforcement of the act shall be appropriated for administrative expenses associated with supervising and enforcing the provisions of the act. (Section 313.429.11)

The Commission shall contract with a state law enforcement entity to assist in conducting investigations into applicants for licenses and to investigate violations of the provisions of the act. (Section 313.429.12)

The use or possession of any video gaming terminal, gambling machine, or device capable of simulating lottery games, games of chance, or gambling games, and that is not licensed by the Lottery Commission or Gaming Commission shall be punishable under the provisions of Chapter 572 relating to illegal gambling. Any lottery vendor or licensee violating such provisions shall be guilty of a Class D felony and fined up to $10,000 per occurrence. The Commission shall suspend or revoke the license of any vendor or licensee that allows the use of any prohibited video gaming terminal. (Section 313.429.13)

Participation in the state lottery under this act shall not be construed to be a lottery or gift enterprise in violation of Article III, Section 39 of the Constitution of Missouri, and shall not constitute a valid reason for the denial or revocation of a permit to sell liquor. (Section 313.433)

This act allows a municipality or county to adopt an ordinance within one hundred eighty days of the effective date of this act prohibiting video lottery game terminals within the municipality or county. (Section 313.435)

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 566 (2020), SB 43 (2019), and SB 452 (2017), and to provisions contained in SS#3/SCS/SB 44 (2019) and SS/SCS/SB 767 (2018), and are similar to HB 990 (2017).

SPORTS WAGERING

This act allows the Missouri Lottery Commission to offer games based on the outcomes of sporting events. (Section 313.230)

This act also authorizes sports wagering, and modifies the definition of “gambling game” to include sports wagering.

Sports wagering shall only be authorized to be conducted on an excursion gambling boat or over the internet to persons physically located in this state. Such licensed facilities shall apply to the Missouri Gaming Commission for authorization to conduct sports wagering, and shall pay an application fee of $25,000. If granted a certificate of authority, a certificate holder shall be authorized to conduct sports wagering in a licensed facility or through an interactive sports wagering platform, as defined in the act. (Section 313.1006)

Certificate holders shall designate an area within the licensed facility for conducting sports wagering. (Section 313.1008)

Certificate holders shall ensure that the certificate holder’s surveillance system covers all areas in which sports wagering is conducted, allow the Commission to be present through gaming agents during the hours sports wagering is conducted, ensure that individuals under the age of 21 are not making sports wagers, provide certain information to sports wagering patrons, and post a sign indicating the minimum and maximum amounts that may be wagered. (Section 313.1004)

Subject to the approval of the Commission, a certificate holder may contract with a third party to conduct sports wagering at the certificate holder’s licensed facility. (Section 313.1008)

An interactive sports wagering platform, as defined in the act, may apply to the Commission for authority to offer sports wagering on behalf of a certificate holder. Such interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an application fee of $25,000. Each year after licensure, an interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an annual license renewal fee of $50,000. (Section 313.1010)

The Commission shall promulgate rules for a sports wagering self-exclusion program, as described in the act. The Commission shall also promulgate rules to ensure that advertisements for sports wagering do not target minors or other persons who are ineligible to place wagers, problem gamblers, or other vulnerable persons. (Section 313.1012)

The Commission shall conduct background checks on individuals seeking licenses under the act. Such background checks shall include a search for criminal history and any charges or convictions involving corruption or manipulation of sporting events.

A sports governing body may notify the Commission that it desires to restrict, limit, or exclude sports wagers, as defined in the act, on its sporting events, including restrictions on sources of data and associated video upon which an operator may rely in offering and paying wagers. The Commission may deny such request if it determines that it is arbitrary and capricious. Except in certain emergency situations, such restrictions shall not apply to tier one sports wagers on non-exhibition games or events of professional sports organizations, as defined in the act.

Certificate holders may use any data source to determine the results of sports wagers, provided the data is not obtained directly or indirectly from live event attendees or through automated computer programs. However, within thirty days of a sports governing body notifying the Commission of its desire to supply official league data to certificate holders for determining the results of tier two wagers, as defined in the act, certificate holders shall only use official league data to determine the results of such wagers. Certificate holders shall not purchase or utilize any personal biometric data of an athlete, as defined in the act, without written permission from the athlete’s exclusive bargaining representative.

The Commission and certificate holders shall cooperate with investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies. (Section 313.1014)

A certificate holder shall maintain records of all bets and wagers placed through an interactive sports wagering platform, and all bets and wagers placed in person that exceed $10,000 in a 24-hour period, including personally identifiable information of the bettor, the amount and type of bet, the time the bet was placed, the location of the bet, the outcome of the bet, and records of abnormal betting activity for at least three years after the sporting event occurs. (Section 313.1016)

Any person who knowingly violates any procedure implemented under this act shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation, not to exceed $50,000 for violations arising out of the same transaction or occurrence. Such person shall also be subject to actions and penalties provided under current law, provided that any such financial penalties shall not exceed those provided for in the act.

Any person who places, or causes to be placed, a bet or wager on the basis of material nonpublic information relating to that bet or wager, or who knowingly engages in, facilitates, or conceals conduct that intends to improperly influence a betting outcome of a sporting event for purposes of financial gain in connection with betting or wagering on a sporting event shall be guilty of a Class E felony. The term “material nonpublic information” shall include personal biometric data. (Section 313.1018)

Within thirty days of the end of each calendar quarter, a certificate holder shall remit to the Commission a royalty fee of 0.25% of the amount wagered on sporting events conducted during the previous calendar quarter by sports governing bodies that have registered with the Commission, as described in the act. No later than April 30 of each year, a registered sports governing body may submit a request for disbursement of funds remitted by certificate holders in the previous calendar year. The Commission shall disburse the funds to the registered sports governing body in pro rata proportion of the total amount wagered on its sporting events. Any unclaimed royalty fees shall be distributed to certificate holders that timely remitted such fees. (Section 313.1019)

Within thirty days of the end of each calendar quarter, a certificate holder shall remit to the Commission a royalty fee of 0.25% of the amount wagered on sporting events involving at least one NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision football team or at least one NCAA Division I basketball team. No later than April 30 of each year, the Commission shall disburse such royalty fees evenly among the public universities in this state that sponsor an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision football team or NCAA Division I basketball team. The royalty fees received by public universities under this act shall be used solely for athletics compliance. (Section 313.1020)

A tax is imposed at a rate of 9.0% on the adjusted gross receipts received from sports wagering conducted by a certificate holder. Such tax shall be remitted by the last business day of each month. Revenues received from the tax shall be deposited in the Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund.

A certificate holder shall also pay to the Commission an annual administrative fee of $50,000. In addition to such administrative fee, a certificate holder shall pay to the Commission a fee of $10,000 every five years for a reinvestigation of the certificate holder. Such fees shall be deposited in the Gaming Commission Fund. (Section 313.1021)

All sports wagers placed under this act shall be deemed to be initiated, received, and otherwise made on the property of an excursion gambling boat in this state. The intermediate routing of electronic data shall not determine the location or locations in which such wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made. (Section 313.1022)

The Commission shall establish a hotline or other method of communication that allows any person to confidentially report information about any conduct that the person believes is a violation of the provisions of this act. The Commission shall investigate all reasonable allegations and shall refer allegations that it deems credible to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Sports wagering operators, sports governing bodies, professional sports franchises, and higher education institutions shall not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee because of any lawful act performed by the employee to provide information, cause information to be provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any conduct which the employee reasonably believes constitutes a violation of the provisions of this act. An employee may bring an action at law or equity for relief from a violation of this provision, as described in the act. Such action shall be commenced not later than one hundred eighty days from the later of the date on which the violation occurs or the date on which the employee became aware of the violation. (Section 313.1024)

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What are the odds?

Ironically, has previously demonstrated difficulty understanding simple concepts

07 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by in Missouri Senate, social media

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Denny Hoskins (r) [2017 file photo].

Today:

Senator Denny Hoskins, CPA @DLHoskins
MONDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports triple-digit case increases over weekend…..How is this possible since Columbia has a mandatory mask order?
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12:36 PM · Dec 7, 2020

Think about that for just a second.

Previously:

Denny Hoskins (r) in the 121st District: unhappy constituents write letters to the editor (November 24, 2009)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): Shall we all take a tour around the 21st Senate District? (July 28, 2019)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): regulated land use is evil, until it isn’t (August 12, 2019)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): uninformed and selective outrage (September 18, 2019)