Nodler: Bills Signed into Law Before Constitutional Deadline

The last day for the governor to sign bills passed by the General Assembly during the 2010 legislative session was July 14. Measures not receiving his signature are automatically enacted on their designated days. Since the last day of session, the governor has signed more than 80 bills.

A measure I drafted was included in Senate Bill 583 this year, which was signed by the governor on July 13. The legislation was motivated by the story of a Jasper County resident who was hit by an uninsured Oklahoma driver. Before the legislation, police could not cite uninsured, out-of-state drivers. Thanks to the provision that was passed by the Legislature, non-residents must adhere to the financial responsibility laws of their state of residence and Missouri law enforcement officials have the ability to take action. This bill takes steps to make sure that uninsured drivers, regardless of their residency, are held responsible in Missouri.

This session, I sponsored a bill that prevented our local assessors from facing an unfunded mandate. Senate Bill 588, which was signed by the governor on July 8, is designed to help local assessors in out-state Missouri be able to meet projected tax liability requirements. This legislation will give local assessors extra time before implementing a law to provide projected tax liability notices with a notice of increased assessed value. Assessors will be able to wait until they receive software from the State Tax Commission, which is necessary to provide such notices. This makes sure that the public will be informed, as was the original intention of the law, without being unfair to local assessors.

Here are some additional bills approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor:

SB 851 - Requires at least four days notice before voting by governing bodies of local governments on tax increases, eminent domain, and certain districts and projects.

SB 940 - Lets bingo parlors open earlier, close later and offer games twice a week. The bill also increases the amount of money bingo operators can spend on advertising.

HB 1311 – Requires health insurance companies to offer coverage for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, including coverage for ABA therapy for those under 21.

HB 1472 – Makes the sale and distribution of K2 illegal in Missouri.

HB 1524 – Streamlines absentee voting and registration for Missouri military personnel serving away from home, allows the Adjutant General to establish the Missouri Youth Challenge Academy for at-risk youth, and creates an exemption for the A+ Schools Program for certain military dependents who move to Missouri.

Most bills will go into effect on August 28, unless they contain an emergency clause.