EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
On Sept. 9, the Missouri General Assembly convened for the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session of the 100th General Assembly. The governor called lawmakers back to the State Capitol to address an issue regarding vehicle sales. Previously, state law was interpreted to allow citizens to sell multiple vehicles to offset the sales tax obligation of a new vehicle purchase.
The law came into question when a case involving the Missouri Department of Revenue was heard by the Missouri Supreme Court. The plaintiff in the case had sold four cars and wanted to use tax credits generated from the sale to offset their tax bill from the purchase a new vehicle. On June 25, the courts ruled that only one vehicle could be used as an allowance toward fulfilling the tax obligation associated with the purchase of a new vehicle.
During the extraordinary session, the Legislature passed a new law that allows a taxpayer to deduct the value of all sales of previously owned vehicles from the taxable sale price of the new vehicle provided such sales occurred within 180 days before or after the purchase of the new vehicle.
VETO SESSION
On Sept. 11 the Legislature convened for the annual veto session. Below is a list of the bills vetoed by the governor:
Senate Bill 147 contained a partial repeal of the state’s motorcycle helmet law.
Senate Bill 202 addressed mining royalties on federal lands; the governor vetoed this bill citing a conflict with federal law.
Senate Bill 282 and House Bill 447 involved the disposition of human remains and coroners respectively. These bills were vetoed due to provisions that allow for outdoor cremations, commonly known as “Viking funerals.”
Senate Bill 414 created a taskforce seeking a waiver to change the Affordable Care Act. Without an emergency clause allowing the taskforce to immediately go to work, the governor did not believe the group would have enough time to conduct its research. The governor has since created the taskforce through an executive order.
House Bill 399 was vetoed due to additional requirements and restrictions placed on the Department of Health and Senior Services. Many of the bill’s provisions were passed in other bills and signed into law.
At the conclusion of veto session, lawmakers did not vote to override any of the governor’s vetoes. During the upcoming legislative session, I look forward to continue working with the governor and my colleagues in the Missouri Senate on the issues that matter most to the people of 32nd Senatorial District, as well as all Missouri citizens.
INTERIM COMMITTEES
Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect – Met to discuss how to ensure the overall welfare for Missouri’s children who are being assisted through the Department of Social Services and partnering agencies.
Prescription Drug Transparency Interim Committee – Met to discuss how legislators, pharmacies, prescription drug manufacturers and prescription benefit managers can work together to create a transparent pricing structure for prescription drugs.
Missouri Health Insurance Taskforce – Met to discuss how health care providers and the insurance companies are managed throughout the state of Missouri.
