The Missouri Legislature returned to Jefferson City last Wednesday to hold our annual veto session. This is our only opportunity to override the governor’s veto of bills we passed earlier this year. Typically only a few bills are brought up for an override because it is incredibly rare for a vetoed bill to have the support required to overturn a veto. The Missouri Constitution requires two-thirds of the legislators in both the House and the Senate to vote in favor of the override. Although the majority caucus holds a two-thirds majority, the House has exactly the necessary number at 109.

This historic veto session was watched by not just Missourians, but the entire country. Numerous national news networks covered the session, from CNN to the New York Times. Of the many veto sessions I’ve participated in, this was, by far, the most watched and anticipated.

Governor Nixon vetoed 29 bills this year, a new record for this administration. A handful of high-profile bills were up for overrides. I received many calls and emails from constituents supporting the first major tax cut bill to come out of the Legislature in almost a 100 years and a measure to protect the Second Amendment rights of citizens. Unfortunately, we were unable to garner the support needed to override these two specific bills.

Through this busy session the legislature overrode 10 of the governor’s vetoes. This is the highest number of veto overrides since the General Assembly had to approve divorces, 180 years ago.

One important bill, Senate Bill 129, will give more Missourians access to health care services. Previously, doctors who volunteered their time, often at rural health clinics or special events, were forced to carry an extra malpractice insurance plan, which is extremely expensive. The requirement created a barrier for doctors, many of which would gladly volunteer more if not for the overwhelming financial burden and the risk of lawsuits. The Volunteer Health Services Act allows doctors to provide volunteer services for a sponsoring organization under specific requirements that protect the public.

Other measures that will now become law due to veto overrides include:

• Senate Bill 9, which increases the penalties for cattle theft and regulates foreign ownership of land;
• Senate Bill 110, which establishes custody and visitation rights for deployed military personnel;
• Senate Bill 129, which grants protections to doctors who volunteer their time to provide medical services at no cost to patients.
• Senate Bill 170, which allows public officials to cast roll call votes via videoconference;
• House Bill 19, which appropriates $1 million for the reconstruction of the Lincoln-Pike Technical Career Center;
• House Bill 278, which bars governments, both local and state, from restricting the celebration of federal holidays;
• House Bill 329, which modifies the law relating to funeral trusts, financial institutions, and exemptions under bankruptcy proceedings, among other provisions;
• House Bill 339, which prohibits uninsured drivers from receiving noneconomic damages against insured drivers in lawsuits relating to motor vehicle accidents;
• House Bill 650, which protects the lead mining industry in Missouri; and
• House Bill 1035, which allows cities to annex unincorporated areas by adopting an ordinance instead of needing a public vote.

Thank you for reading this legislative column and staying informed about your state government. We could never work toward a better future for our state without your help, support, and input. If I can be of any assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to ask. Although it is the interim, my Capitol office remains open throughout the year. Thank you and God bless.