HCS HB 1777 -- PUBLIC ORDER

SPONSOR:  O'Toole (Johnson, 61)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Miscellaneous Bills and Resolutions by a vote of 10 to 1.

This substitute:

(1)  Makes it unlawful to use unfair leverage in the sale of
essential consumer merchandise during an emergency.  Persons who
exercise unfair leverage are liable for restitution to consumers
and a civil penalty to the State of Missouri and may be subject
to civil action commenced by the Attorney General.  The
substitute also authorizes the Governor to declare a consumer
emergency by executive order if a consumer market disruption
exists and specifies what the order must include;

(2)  Prohibits the transport of hazardous materials through
highway tunnels and includes penalties for violations;

(3)  Allows the State Water Patrol to close any waters in the
state to navigation or use in the event of a disaster;

(4)  Makes water contamination a class B felony;

(5)  Allows the Attorney General to investigate the unlawful use
of funds by charitable organizations; and

(6)  Revises the current crime of making a terrorist threat by
removing existing language that defines making a terrorist threat
as threatening to commit a felony or making a false report about
the commission of a felony and replacing it with threatening to
commit or making a false report about an incident or condition
involving danger to life.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of Less
than $100,000 in FY 2003, FY 2004, and FY 2005.  Estimated Net
Cost to Road Fund of $500 in FY 2003, $0 in FY 2004, and $0 in FY
2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is needed to deter
price gouging during emergencies and initiate protections against
and penalties for acts of terror.  The bill is based on the
suggestions of the Governor.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Johnson (61) and
Legan; Attorney General's Office; Commissioner of Boone County;
and Missouri Office of Homeland Security.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Mark Pioli, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:02 am