Lichtenegger: Veto & Special Session Update

Veto Session was relatively uneventful. Governor Nixon vetoed more than 100 bills delivered for him to sign- eight of which were placed on the House calendar for consideration- none of which were overturned. House Bill 430 generated the most debate and came very close to being overturned, but the needed two additional votes were not obtained. I have all eight below for your information along with the link to the bill’s full text.

HB 10 Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the Department of Mental Health, Board of Public Buildings, and Department of Health and Senior Services.

HB 184 Authorizes commissioners of certain road districts to be compensated for their services and specifies that risk coverages procured by certain political subdivisions will not require competitive bids.

HB 209 Changes the laws regarding county nuisance abatement ordinances, junkyards, and private nuisance actions.

HB 256 Extends the expiration date of the provisions regarding the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund from December 31, 2012, to December 31, 2018.

HB 430 The bill specifies that the seven Senate members of the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight must be composed, as nearly as possible, of majority and minority party members in the same proportion as the number of majority and minority party members in the Senate. Currently, no more than four members from the same party can be members of the committee.

The Department of Transportation must submit its annual report no later than December 31, instead of by November 10; and the annual meeting to receive and examine the report must be held prior to February 15, instead of December 1.

HB 465 link here to the lengthy bill summary: Bill Summary

HB 484 Establishes the Missouri State Transit Assistance Program to provide state financial assistance to defray the operating and capital costs incurred by public mass transportation service providers.

HB 1008 Allows the Highways and Transportation Commission to enter into infrastructure improvement agreements to reimburse funds advanced for the benefit of a county, political subdivision, or private entity.

Thus far the 2011 Special Session has resulted in at least one change in the jobs omnibus bill [SB7] and there remains to be more discussion next week regarding the economic package bill [SB8].

Constituent Corner

I had the pleasure of meeting two constituents from Jackson, Bob and Linda Phillips. They came to the Capitol to participate in yesterday’s Veterans Rally. Also at the rally was David Hitt, Jackson City alderman; good to see you again David!

Many legislators are working diligently to keep all Missouri Veterans’ Homes open and operating at full capacity.