Of the twenty bills vetoed this year by Governor Jay Nixon (D), seven have been sustained. The legislature’s annual veto session was held Wednesday at the Missouri capitol in Jefferson City. Here’s a recap of Nixon’s vetoes that have been upheld:
Governor Jay Nixon
MODOT ‘platooning’ test program
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Davis (R-Webb City), would have allowed the state Transportation department to create a so-called “platooning” pilot program. Platooning involves semi-automated long-haul trucks. Several key Republicans voted to sustain Nixon’s veto, including representatives Joe Don McGaugh (R-Carrollton), Tom Flanigan (R-Carthage) and Mike Leara (R-Sunset Hills).
E-verify exemptions for some businesses
State lawmakers have failed to override a bill that would have exempt some businesses from being required to check if job applicants are authorized to work in the U.S. It would have allowed employers to opt out if doing so would be costly. The measure also would have extended a tax incentive package to small businesses. The measure was sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
Expert witness testimony standard
Senator Mike Parson’s (R-Bolivar) bill would have changed the standard for who is considered an expert witness in a Missouri courtroom. The proposal would have expert witness testimony allowed only if it is based on “sufficient facts” and “reliable principles and methods.”
Proposed fee changes at license offices
License offices could have charged $2.00 for sending a document electronically or an electronic look-up for a document that a person applying for a license did not have in their possession. The bill sponsored by Senator David Sater (R-Cassville) would also have charged a $2.00 fee if someone wanted a document notarized at license offices.
Court evidence for medical expenses
The legislature failed to override a veto of Senator Ed Emery’s (R-Lamar) bill for those seeking damages from an injury, illness or disability. Plaintiffs at trial could have introduced evidence of the actual cost, rather than the value of the medical care given.
Financial disclosures
A bill sponsored by former Rep. Tony Dugger (R-Hartville) would have required that certain financial reports be filed electronically. The measure assigned the Missouri Ethics Commission as the required body for filing reports by removing local election authority filing as an option for certain reports. It specifies that committee and candidate reports are included. The bill was not brought up for an override vote during the veto session.
Department of Social Services appropriations
Rep. Tom Flanigan’s bill called for appropriating money for expenses, grants, and distributions of the Department of Social Services. An override attempt of the proposal did not occur.
Conflict of interest protections for county commissioners
The measure specified that it’s not a conflict of interest for any county commissioner to discuss any matters, including budget matters, of any board or commission on which the commissioner serves, including the University of Missouri Extension Council. The House did not attempt an override on Rep. Caleb Rowden’s (R-Columbia) bill.
