Missouri Senate Convenes for Annual Veto Session

JEFFERSON CITY — Senators returned to Jefferson City today (9-12) to take part in the General Assembly’s annual veto session, which started at noon.  This year, lawmakers had the option to consider overriding 13 of the 14 bills passed by the Legislature during the 2012 regular session that were vetoed by the governor.

Only the primary sponsor of a bill can make the motion to override the governor’s veto.  If the bill receives a veto override in its originating chamber, the primary handler of that legislation in the other chamber may take it up for veto override consideration.  Both chambers must vote to override a veto by a two-thirds constitutional majority.  In the Senate, that totals 23; in the House, it’s 109. 

The Senate made the successful motion to override the governor’s veto on Senate Bill 749, a measure designed to provide protections for religious beliefs regarding the imposition of certain health care services, such as abortion, contraception or sterilization.  Those in support of the override say the measure reaffirms Missourians’ religious freedoms and enforces existing law.  However, some lawmakers against the override state the legislation provides another obstacle for individuals who seek these specific health care services.

Once the measure reached the House for similar consideration, representatives debated the legislation, which received the necessary votes to override the governor’s veto.  With this legislative action, SB 749 becomes law today.

Other bills vetoed by the governor this year, in which no override motions were made, include:

• SB 566 - Requires owners of dogs and cats under suspicion of carrying rabies to provide documentation of vaccination or else surrender the animal.
• SB 569 - Modifies the law relating to elections, law enforcement districts and transit authority taxes.
• SB 607 - Establishes procedures for resetting billboards during periods of highway construction.
• SB 635 - Modifies the law relating to financial institutions, school funds, private roads, real estate appraisal, agricultural education programs, liens and state purchasing preferences.
• SB 715 - Allows the Missouri Adjutant General to waive the age limit for service in the state militia and repeals a complaint procedure for the state militia.
• SB 837 - Modifies what is considered to be a franchise between alcohol wholesalers and suppliers.
• HB 1219 - Modifies the law relating to the Missouri Human Rights Act and employment discrimination.
• HB 1250 - Modifies provisions relating to elections.
• HB 1329 – Modifies the law regarding the issuance of temporary permit tags and the collection of sales taxes on motor vehicles, trailers, boats and outboard motors.
• HB 1758 - Modifies provisions relating to custody/visitation rights for those with a parent/child relationship, military parents and race consideration in adoption proceedings.
• HB 1789 - Modifies provisions relating to travel hardships for public school students.
• HB 1900 - Modifies numerous statutes to reflect executive agency reorganization as well as provisions regarding investments in Iran's energy sector, voluntary annexation, persons with disabilities and tax increment financing.

It has been nine years since the General Assembly voted to override a governor’s veto during the mid-September session.  In 2003, the Legislature overturned the veto of HB 156, which requires informed consent at least 24 hours prior to an abortion and requires individuals who perform abortions to maintain proof of financial responsibility; HB 349, which authorizes permits to carry concealed firearms; and SB 13, which prohibits lawsuits by political subdivisions and the state against firearm manufacturers and dealers.

While members of the Missouri Senate met to consider bills vetoed by the governor this year, lawmakers took the opportunity to say “goodbye” to their Senate colleagues – both past and present – during the chamber’s retirement ceremony.  The following senators honored were either voted out of office during the 2010 general elections, simply retired from public service,  or were required to leave office this year due to term limits:

• Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton
  (Senate: 2005-2012 — 8 years)
• Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence
  (House: 2001-2006; Senate: 2007-2010 — 10 years)
• Sen. Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring
  (House: 2001-2005; Senate: 2005-2010 — 10 years)
• Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon
  (House: 2003-2005; Senate: 2005-2012 — 10 years)
• Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington
  (House: 2003-2004; Senate 2005-2012 — 10 years)
• Sen. Victor Callahan, D-Independence
  (Senate: 2003-2012 — 10 years)
• Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis
  (House: 2002-2008; Senate: 2009-2012 — 11 years)
• Sen. Yvonne Wilson, D-Kansas City
  (House: 1999-2004; Senate: 2005-2010 — 12 years)
• Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield
  (House: 2001-2008; Senate: 2009-2012 — 12 years)
• Sen. Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter
  (House: 2001-2004; Senate: 2005-2012 — 12 years)
• Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau
  (House: 2001-2004; Senate: 2005-2012 — 12 years)
• Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield
  (House:1997-2004; Senate: 2005-2012 — 16 years)
• Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville
  (House: 1993-2002; Senate: 2005-2012 — 18 years)
• Sen. Timothy P. Green, D-Spanish Lake
  (House: 1989-2002; Senate: 2005-2012 — 22 years)

The General Assembly has 10 calendar days to hold its veto session.  However, both chambers completed their work in one day regarding bills vetoed by the governor, officially ending the 2012 veto session hours after it started.

To see a complete list of bills vetoed by the governor, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “Governor’s Action on Truly Agreed Bills” link under the “Legislation” tab.  To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.