Missouri lawmakers only needed one day to go through all of the legislation they wished to before voting to override the governor on his vetoes from earlier this year. Most of the news to come from this year’s annual veto session is good.

To override a veto requires a two-thirds majority in both the Missouri Senate and House. Among the bills previously vetoed by the executive branch and now enacted into law include:

• House Bill 1307 – Changes the minimum waiting period before a woman can have an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours.
• Senate Bill 829 – Modifies provisions relating to the burden of proof in tax liability cases.
• Senate Bill 727 – Grants a sales and use tax exemption for products sold at farmers’ markets, among other provisions.
• House Bill 1132 – Changes the law regarding a tax credit for contributions to a maternity home, pregnancy resource center or food pantry.
• Senate Bill 841 – Prohibits the sale of alternative nicotine or vapor products to persons under 18 years of age.
• Senate Bill 593 – Modifies provisions relating to nonpartisan elections.
• Senate Bill 656 – Modifies provisions relating to firearms, corporate security officers, and school protection officers.
• Senate Bill 523 – Prohibits school districts from requiring a student to use an identification device that uses radio frequency identification to transmit certain information.
• Senate Bill 731 – Modifies provisions relating to nuisance ordinances and actions.
• Senate Bill 866 – Preempts local laws that would modify current law governing the manner in which traditional installment loan lenders are allowed to make loans.

Unfortunately, the agriculture bill fell short by one vote of taking effect. Senate Bill 506 made it through the Missouri Senate, but was not as successful in the Missouri House. This was an omnibus agricultural measure, which included something I consider to be common sense, and that is classifying deer as captive livestock. These are deer that are in pens, have documented papers, are provided regular vet care and feed. Others did not agree, including the governor, who vetoed the original bill earlier this year. For whatever reason, one person’s mind was changed at the last minute in the Missouri House, and the veto stands. I will continue to work with all the affected groups to see if we can come to a reasonable outcome, as opposed to the rules that Missouri Department of Conservation has proposed, which will put these business owners out of business.
The Legislature also overrode a number of the governor’s line-item vetoes in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, restoring funding for a number of state programs, services and departments.

With fall here, I would also like to take time to remind everybody about farm safety. The main thing to keep in mind is to watch for tractors and other farm vehicles on the roads, because it is easy to drive up on these machines on country roads. This is also the time of year to watch out for deer, especially at dawn and dusk.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you.