Missouri hospitals would have to step up their infection control efforts under legislation from a St. Joseph doctor.

Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, a Republican, is trying to reduce the spread of a deadly germ (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA) in HB 286.

The bill, which Dr. Schaaf proposed last week to a health care transformation committee that he chairs, is an update to the Infection Control Act he authored that became law in 2004.

Dr. Schaaf is calling for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to establish a program that would reduce MRSA transmissions, isolate infected patients and educate staff on the germ.

"This germ is still out of control," Dr. Schaaf stated in a news release. "When people go to the hospital, they need peace of mind that they will get well, not worry about getting even sicker."

The committee must vote up the bill before it has a chance of being considered by the entire House of Representatives.

What are these tractors

trying to pull?

The lines of tractors that often snake through Northwest Missouri in the name of various charities may be cruising illegally, regardless of the number of attached balloons and American flags.

Since state law authorizes tractors on roadways only for agricultural purposes, Missouri State Highway Patrol officials believe the legality of tractor cruises and parades could be questioned, explained Rep. Mike Thomson, R-Maryville.

Mr. Thomson and Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City, both proposed bills in committee last week that would remedy the problem.

House bills 93 and 216 would allow tractors in parades as long as licensed drivers are operating them during daylight hours on specified routes for fund-raising activities. Width, height, length and registration regulations also would apply. The committee didn't vote on either bill.

Former attorney named

county prosecutor

A woman who used to prosecute criminals in Buchanan and Clinton counties has been selected for a Lafayette County post.

Gov. Jay Nixon last week appointed Kellie Ritchie to serve as Lafayette County's prosecuting attorney. She replaces Page Bellamy, who resigned to join Attorney General Chris Koster's staff.

Ms. Ritchie, 46, served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Buchanan County from 1990 to 1996 and in Clinton County from 1999 to 2005, according to a state news release. She most recently worked at a private practice in Lafayette County.

Paper tax forms

a thing of the past

Missourians who only visit the library once a year during tax season can save their gasoline.

The Missouri Department of Revenue recently ended its practice of providing copies of state tax forms at public libraries and post offices as more people transition to electronic filing.

While the effort has saved taxpayers roughly $65,000, the department still is making the paper forms available by request, according to a Missouri House of Representatives news release.

Call toll-free at (800) 877-6881 for the forms, which also are available online at www.dor.mo.gov/tax.

Alyson E. Raletz covers the state Legislature for the

News-Press. She can be reached at (573) 636-2307.