Additional Measures Passed by Missouri Senate
Set to Become Law

JEFFERSON CITY — With less than a week left to take action on legislation delivered to him by the Missouri Senate, the governor today (7-9) signed into law several pieces of legislation.  The highest ranking member of Missouri’s executive branch has until July 14 to sign or veto measures that were passed by the General Assembly.  If no action is taken by this deadline, the legislation will become law on its effective date.

House Bill 1659, handled in the upper chamber by Senate Minority Floor Leader Victor Callahan, D-Independence, creates a land bank agency that has the ability to acquire, rehabilitate and resell abandoned and blighted properties in the Kansas City area.  The legislation allows the city of Kansas City to establish a land bank agency for the management, sale, transfer and other disposition of tax delinquent land to return it to specified effective use, such as the creation of housing or new industry.  Sen. Callahan sponsored similar language found in Senate Bill 795.

Another measure signed into law today, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, addresses several provisions relating to animals and agriculture in the Show-Me State.  Senate Bill 631 requires employees of animal agricultural operations who videotape what they suspect is animal abuse to provide the unedited recording to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours.  Any intentional violation of this act would be a Class A misdemeanor. 

The legislation also creates the Agritourism Promotion Act, which prevents registered agritourism operators from being held liable for injuries to, or the death of, a participant as a result of an agritourism activity; requires the State Board of Education to establish standards for agricultural education that may be adopted by a private school; and requires the State Fair Commission to permit livestock breeders and qualifying 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) members to exhibit livestock at the Missouri State Fair, among other provisions.

Senate Bill 611 addresses minimal yellow light standards throughout the state.  This provision requires the Department of Transportation to establish minimal yellow light change interval times in accordance with nationally recognized engineering standards for traffic-control devices, thus putting in place a standard length of time for when a traffic light turns from green to yellow to red.  In addition, the legislation amends Missouri’s “Move Over” law, requiring drivers who are approaching stationary or moving vehicles operated by the Department of Transportation  to change lanes if possible and slow down when approaching vehicles that are displaying amber or amber and white lights. 

Also receiving the governor’s final stamp of approval is Senate Bill 789, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit.  The bill changes provisions relating to DNA profiling by the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab, requiring a DNA sample to be collected from any person found guilty of any felony offense who moves to Missouri pursuant to an interstate compact or similar agreement.  The legislation also extends the expiration date for the surcharge assessed in certain criminal cases that is goes into the DNA Profiling Analysis Fund used by the State Highway Patrol crime lab for the DNA profiling system.

Other measures receiving the governor’s signature today include House Bill 1171, handled in the upper chamber by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, which changes the age when a juvenile court has jurisdiction over a child involving a state or local traffic violation from 15 and a half years of age to 15 years old, and House Bill 1527, sponsored by Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, which changes the laws regarding property exempt from attachment.  Currently, any motor vehicle with a value of less than $3,000 is exempt from execution or attachment, such as garnishment.  The legislation requires that all motor vehicles owned by a debtor be considered together and are only considered exempt if their total quantity is less than $3,000.

Each measure signed today will take effect on Aug. 28.  To see a complete list of the bills delivered to the governor, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “Truly Agreed Bills” link under the “Legislation” tab.  To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.