Testimony from NFIB members, combined with an effective email campaign to legislators, have succeeded in winning the day in the House of Representatives, reports State Director Denny De Witt in his latest update from the Capitol.
The House Judiciary Committee voted to reduce back down to $750 a proposed increase in the felony threshold contained in Senate Bill 64. The bill had passed the Senate with a boost to $1,200 in the felony threshold. The Senate had even considered thresholds as high as $1,500 and $2,000.
The current monetary level separating a misdemeanor theft from a felony one is $500. While this is a still a $250 increase, this was a compromise the NFIB Leadership Council could accept.
The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Charisse Millett and co-sponsored by Reps. Lance Pruitt, Wes Keller, Max Gruenberg and Rob Lynn, was adopted by the House Judiciary Committee with the support of Sen. John Coghill, the bill’s sponsor.
The return to the NFIB-negotiated threshold is a result of efforts by NFIB members, both by strong testimony in committee, as well as the many emails sent by NFIB members. Hopefully this is the end of a two-year battle to protect NFIB members from unreasonable increases in the felony threshold which was up to $1,500 at one point.
SB 64 bill must now pass through the House Finance Committee and House Floor by April 20 if it is to become law this year. NFIB will remove its opposition as a result of the House Judiciary Committee amendment.
Business Licenses
House Bill 32 by Rep. Mia Costello, reducing the number of state licenses businesses are required to purchase, was heard in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. It was held until April 8 when it is expected to move on to the Finance Committee. This is an NFIB-sponsored piece of legislation.
Regulations
House Bill 140 by Rep. Lora Reinbold, requiring estimate of financial impact to the private sector, has passed the House and will be heard in the Senate Judiciary committee on April 9. This is supported by NFIB, because it directly responds to an NFIB Ballot issue.
Workers’ Compensation
House Bill 141, limiting workers’ compensation fees from out of state providers, will be heard in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee April 8. NFIB supports this bill, because it will help keep workers’ compensation premiums down.
House Bill 316, another NFIB-supported measure relating to workers compensation fee setting, will be heard in House Finance Committee April 11.
Federal Balanced Budget
House Bill 284 by Rep. Wes Keller, an interstate compact calling for a balanced federal budget, was heard and held in the Senate Judiciary Committee. We expect additional hearings next week. NFIB supports the bill.
Stolen Property
Senate Bill 110 by Sen. Fred Dyson, further assisting individuals getting stolen property back from law enforcement, has passed the House Judiciary Committee and is on the way to the House floor. NFIB supports SB 110.
The bill had passed the Senate with a boost to $1,200 in the felony threshold. The Senate had even considered thresholds as high as $1,500 and $2,000.
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