Lawmakers were called back to Jefferson City last week for two reasons. On Sept. 11, my colleagues and I returned to the State Capitol for the annual veto session, and the rest of the week was dedicated to trying to find a fix to an issue brought about by a decision made by our state’s highest court.
Following the regular legislative session, the governor vetoed six bills. It was decided not to try and override any of these vetoes this year. We may revisit these individual issues when we return to the Capitol for the regular legislative session in January.
The bulk of the week was focused on the aftermath of a recent decision handed down by the Missouri Supreme Court. Justices ruled the purchaser of a vehicle can only reduce tax liability when selling one vehicle they already own. Before, the Missouri Department of Revenue would calculate the taxable cost of a new vehicle when someone would sell more than one vehicle at once. As a result of the decision, the governor wanted lawmakers to pass legislation allowing purchasers to use credits from the sale of multiple vehicles. What followed was House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1, both of which relate to sales and use tax allowances for certain items. House Bill 1 is the official vehicle for this legislation, and we sent it to the governor on Sept. 13.
Our next regular legislative session is not too far away. Lawmakers will prefile legislation starting in December, and we will be back in Jefferson City starting on Jan. 8, 2020.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.