JEFFERSON CITY— As the nation celebrated Memorial Day this week and honored the military service men and women who lost their lives while serving their country, lawmakers were able to count military issues as one success of the 2009 legislative session.
Two military-related bills, both handled in the Senate by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), were passed by the General Assembly and sent to the governor’s desk this session. The first is House Bill 427 , an omnibus military measure that addresses issues relating to military members and their families. Some of the key provisions in HB 427 include:
- Adding four lawmakers to the Missouri Veterans Commission, increasing membership on the commission from five to nine. Two members will be from the Senate and two members from the House of Representatives. One member each will be chosen by the majority and minority leadership in both chambers.
- Allowing a dependent of a military member who resides in Missouri and whose parent is assigned to permanent duty in Missouri to be eligible for in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.
- Allowing veterans displaying Congressional Medal of Honor, Prisoner of War, Purple Heart or Silver Star special licenses plates, or Bronze Star placards, to park for free in metered parking spaces upon the approval of the city.
- Requiring all court orders to be temporary regarding child custody or visitation while an individual is in active military service and deployed out-of-state.
- Authorizing the Department of Revenue to provide one set of Purple Heart-specialized license plates free of charge other than the regular registration fees to any person who has been awarded the medal.
- Designating May 1st of each year as Silver Star Families of America Day. Silver Star Families supports and assists wounded or ill service members and their families.
House Bill 82 is the other major military bill passed by lawmakers this year. It allows for an eventual complete state income tax exemption for any military retirement benefits. The exemption would increase by 15 percent annually beginning in 2010 until it is fully implemented at 100 percent in 2016. It also removes the age requirement for the current tax exemption phase-in on publicly funded retirement benefits, allowing all Missourians receiving public pensions—including veterans—to take part in the income tax exemption.
HB 683 , an omnibus transportation bill handled in the Senate by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton), also contains a provision relating to the military. The legislation establishes an interstate interchange designation program, to be known as the Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Designation Program, to honor fallen Missouri heroes who have been killed in action in Afghanistan or Iraq on or after September 11, 2001. Family members may apply for a designation—which includes two signs—on behalf of the deceased armed forces member. No interstate interchange may be named or designated after more than one individual, and a person will only be eligible for one designation.
Another notable provision in the transportation bill statutorily requires that the awarding of fee office contracts be done through a competitive bidding process. Until recently, the contracts were awarded on a subjective basis. House Bill 381 , handled by Sen. Tim Green (D-St. Louis), also requires that fee office contracts be awarded through a competitive bidding process, but adds the provision that priority must be given to non-profit organizations and entities and local governments.
Other parts of HB 683 include requiring that certain shippers of radioactive waste in or through Missouri be subject to fees; allowing tractors participating in parades to be exempt from certain height, width and length requirements (language from a bill originally sponsored by Sen. Frank Barnitz (D-Lake Spring); exempting vehicles from the state motor vehicle safety inspection for the five-year period (currently two years) following their model year of manufacture; and allowing motor vehicle dealers, acting as agents of the state, to title and register vehicles and collect and submit sales tax.
Another transportation-related bill, Senate Bill 202 , sponsored by Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), repeals the current helmet law and exempts those 21 or older from wearing a helmet when operating or riding motorcycles—except while on the interstate. The motorcycle helmet exemption expires in August 2014.
The Missouri Senate General Column is written on a regular basis. To follow these and other issues being addressed by the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov . Visitors can research legislation, learn more about their Senate district, and watch video or listen to audio highlights of the First Regular Session of the 95th General Assembly.
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