HCS HB 1700 -- PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

SPONSOR:  Wasson

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding the licensure or
registration of certain professionals in the Division of
Professional Registration within the Department of Insurance,
Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration and the
Missouri Public Service Commission.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Certified public accountants who live out of state may qualify
for a Missouri license if the state in which they hold their
license has equivalent qualifications.  Applicants must have an
unrestricted license in their state and can only practice with a
firm holding a valid state permit to practice certified public
accountancy.

Permit requirements for certified public accounting firms are
also expanded.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSES

The substitute allows Christian Science nurses to provide
religious, nonmedical services to any person who chooses to rely
upon healing by spiritual means alone.  The provision which
specifies that only individuals listed in the Christian Science
Journal as Christian Science nurses may use the title Christian
Science nurse is repealed.

BOARD OF PHARMACY

The position of Executive Director and Inspector within the State
Board of Pharmacy must have at least three years of pharmacy
experience.  The substitute requires that professional positions
within the board be compensated at the composite average for the
corresponding positions within adjoining states and requires the
board to annually conduct an equitable salary survey in order to
determine the need for salary adjustments.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

The substitute allows real estate brokers to affiliate with
out-of-state real estate brokers or salespersons for transactions
involving commercial real estate if those out-of-state licensees
consent to certain requirements specified in the substitute.

MANUFACTURED HOUSING

Currently, every manufactured housing manufacturer or dealer who
offers for sale four or more manufactured homes in any
consecutive 12-month period must register with the Missouri
Public Service Commission.  The substitute changes the
registration requirement to those who offer to sell four or more
used homes or one or more new manufactured homes or modular units
within that time period.  The Manufactured Housing Consumer
Recovery Fund is created to pay, subject to appropriations,
claims filed by aggrieved consumers who have exhausted all other
legal remedies.  Manufactured home dealers are required to
provide purchasers with a bill of sale or purchase agreement
containing the serial number, if available, or the manufacturer
name and model number of the unit along with any waivers.  Every
manufactured home dealer must register and pay a $200
registration or renewal fee by January 15 of each year with a
permanent physical address and telephone number of the place
where the files and other records are located for inspection.

The commission may refuse to register an applicant or may suspend
or revoke a registration, which will apply to all registrations
held by the dealer, if there is a consistent pattern of abuse.
The commission, through its general counsel, may seek remedies in
a circuit court for violations.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2009,
FY 2010, and FY 2011.  Estimated Cost on Other State Funds of
Unknown less than $91,205 in FY 2009, FY 2010, and FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill allows practice across
state lines and provides automatic jurisdiction.  Missouri
certified public accountants will be able to conduct business in
the manner as those licensed in other states.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Wasson; Missouri
Society of Certified Public Accountants; and Chuck Pierce.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm