JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Legislature today (9/15) assembled for its annual veto session in Jefferson City. A September veto session is required by the Missouri Constitution if the governor vetoes any bills passed during the year’s legislative session.
A two-thirds majority vote from both chambers is required to override a veto, while initial passage of any bill requires a simple majority. A vote to overturn a veto is a rare occurrence and hasn’t taken place since 2003 when legislators voted to overturn three vetoes relating to concealed carry, lawsuits against gun manufacturers and abortion.
With one Senate bill, four House bills and a line-item in one budget bill receiving the governor’s veto this year, lawmakers gathered to consider these measures though, ultimately, did not overturn any of the vetoes.
The House did vote on whether to override the veto of House Bill 1903, a bill handled in the Senate by Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter) that would have created the Federal Budget Stabilization Extension Fund and the Race to the Top Fund to receive additional money granted to Missouri by the federal government. The bill, however, did not receive the two-thirds majority vote needed for a veto override in the House. Consequently, HB 1903 was not brought before the Senate because a vetoed bill must be first considered in its originating chamber before moving on in the process.
Other measures vetoed by the governor that were not considered for a veto override include:
- Senate Bill 777 – Allows for the sale of certain financial products and plans associated with certain loan transactions.
- House Bill 1831 – Allows school districts, after 10 years, to sell as surplus any real property that has been donated to it if the donor refuses the district’s offer to return it.
- House Bill 1741 – Changes the laws regarding a meeting of a board of directors or the executive committee of a corporation.
- House Bill 2317 – Requires each member of the General Assembly to be provided with a key to access the State Capitol dome and authorizes the governor to convey certain state property.
(Click here for detailed information on this year’s vetoed and signed bills).
Prior to the start of the official veto session, the Senate bid farewell to 11 retiring and retired members during a special ceremony: Sen. Chuck Graham (served in the Missouri Senate from 2005–2008), Sen. Carl Vogel (R-Jefferson City), Sen. Matt Bartle (R-Lee’s Summit), Sen. Rita Heard Days (D-St. Louis), Sen. Dan Clemens (R-Marshfield), Sen. Joan Bray (D-St. Louis), Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington), Sen. Delbert Scott (R-Lowry City), Sen. Norma Champion (R-Springfield), Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) and Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph).
The 10 retiring members are ineligible to run for another term due to term limits, which were enacted after Missouri voters in 1992 approved an amendment to the state constitution limiting the years a legislator may serve in the General Assembly. Service is limited to eight years in the House of Representatives (four two-year terms) and eight years in the Senate (two four-year terms).
The Legislature will convene on Jan. 5, 2011, for the First Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly.
For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
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