Diane Hutton BA, RT(R) ARRT

Legislative Activities Chair

Diane.hutton@mosrt.org

Good afternoon colleagues,

I wanted to provide an update on where we are with our legislative process.

Monday, April 11, 2019 Senate Bill (SB) 303 had its hearing before the Professional Registration and Licensure committee. Senator Jeanie Riddle, committee chair and bill sponsor, presented the bill.

Janet Akers-Montgomery, April Young, and I were present to testify in favor of the bill. I want to thank these ladies for helping with the testimony portion! Testifying before the committee can very intimidating so I appreciate them stepping into a new world. The whole process is very eye opening!

Let me remind you that during a hearing, there are three opportunities to testify before the committee. In support of, in opposition of, and for informational purposes. The informational option is someone who does not want to go on record as being in opposition of the bill but can provide some information that might help the committee in their decisions.

There was only one person there to testify in opposition of the bill. I say ‘only’ because in sessions gone by, we have had many more there to oppose the bill. This is a known group and we continue to work with them to find language that will still enforce our desire for educationally prepared and clinically competent individuals providing medical imaging services in Missouri. There was one individual there for the information only portion. We also will continue our work with this group to find a compromise equal for all.

All in all, a good day. The House bill has been referred to committee but yet, no hearing date set.It is about this time of the year that I begin to feel the crunch of such a short legislative time. You probably remember that Missouri’s legislative session runs from January till the middle of May.Seems like a good amount of time until you start to see a bill go through the system and how long it takes!

I will keep you informed of our progress. Up next, I am hopeful we can get the House bill on the committee schedule and the Senate bill gets a positive vote in committee to get it out to the floor for consideration.

Please continue your contacts with your legislators, especially since we have had some movement of the Senate bill. Use the MoSRT website or the ASRT website to locate your legislators and send them an email. During our last board meeting, Dustin Ward had a great idea!

He suggested members of the board contact their legislators and tell them that someone (me) will be by to represent them as a constituent to see if they have any questions or concerns that can be addressed. As you all know, I live very close to Jefferson City now and can stop by to speak on your behalf. So please let me know if I can do that for anyone; I love going by the Capitol to talk with legislators!!

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Hutton