Since my last post, Governor Parson signed two bills into law: SB 106, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Crawford & Rep. Bill Owen, continues the modernization of Chapter 361 (Financial Institution Regulation); and HB 697, sponsored by Rep. Bruce DeGroot and Sen. Sandy Crawford that revises the Property Assessment Contract Energy program (PACE). MIBA Executive Director Matt Ruge and I attended the bills’ signing in Jefferson City June 29 in the Governor’s Office. Both bills will take effect Aug. 28, 2021.

Also, since my last post, the regular session of the Missouri General Assembly has ended, as well as a special session called by Governor Parson to address the renewal of the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA). FRA is the mechanism used by the state where Missouri Medicaid providers tax themselves to draw down federal Medicaid dollars. Without this mechanism, Missouri would be approximately $4 billion short of the funding needed to reimburse nursing homes, hospitals and qualified health care facilities (QHC’s) for patient care and services. The legislature passed the FRA (SB1) June 30, just before the July 1 deadline.

This year was challenging as only 70 bills and joint resolutions passed the legislature this session, so to have two bills MIBA wanted approved is a significant accomplishment. Providing a voice on behalf of the Community Banks with the Missouri General Assembly and the statewide elected officials and their staff is critical to getting good legislation passed or bad legislation defeated. As always, it was our pleasure working with Matt and the MIBA staff to represent the MIBA in this endeavor.