JEFFERSON CITY — For the first time since 2005, the Missouri Senate will hold its annual veto session alongside a special session, which has been underway since Sept. 6. Veto session in the General Assembly is scheduled to begin at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Veto sessions are held each year to consider legislation passed by the Legislature during the regular session that was vetoed by the governor. Of the 14 measures vetoed by the governor, six Senate bills and eight House measures, below are some of the vetoed bills the Senate could consider overriding:
- Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, establishes photo identification requirements for voting and requirements for advance voting.
- Senate Bill 282, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, changes numerous laws relating to elections and public contracts, including moving the presidential primary date in Missouri from February to March.
- House Bill 430, also handled by Sen. Stouffer in the Senate, changes the laws regarding special license plates, nondriver’s licenses, municipal streets, and household goods motor carrier regulations.
It takes a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House to override a governor’s veto: 23 in the Senate and 109 in the House. According to Article III, Section 32 of the Missouri Constitution, lawmakers have 10 calendar days to consider legislation returned to the General Assembly by the governor.
The last time the Legislature attempted a veto override during its annual veto session was in 2008 when it considered legislation that would provide for a voting student curator on the University of Missouri board of curators if the state lost a congressional district based on the 2010 census; however, the motion to override the veto was not successful.
It’s been since the 2003 veto session in which lawmakers were successful in overriding a governor’s veto; three of the eight bills considered were overridden:
- Senate Bill 13 – Prohibits certain suits by political subdivisions and the state against firearm manufacturers and dealers.
- House Bills 349, 120, 136 and 328 (considered one measure) – Authorizes permits to carry concealed firearms.
- House Bill 156 – Requires informed consent at least 24 hours prior to an abortion and requires individuals who perform abortions to maintain proof of financial responsibility.
To view past successful veto overrides dating back to 1820, click here. For more information about the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
-END- |
