David Sater Archives - Missourinet

The helmets could soon come off for many motorcyclists in Missouri

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Many motorcycle riders could soon cruise down Missouri’s roads without a helmet and not get in trouble with the law. On Friday – the last day of the regular session – Missouri lawmakers sent to Republican Governor Mike Parson a proposal that would let motorcyclists ride without a helmet if they are at least 18 years old and have health insurance.

Sen. Eric Burlison (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield says he’s been working on the issue for several years.

“We hear about veterans – folks who have fought for their rights. Many of them enjoy riding motorcycles and this is an issue that we are able to give them a little bit of their freedom back,” Burlison says.

Opponents of a helmet repeal say it could lead to more deaths and major injuries and will drive up medical expenses for the parties involved and the state.

The bill would also require inspections for vehicles more than 10 years old or with more than 150,000 miles. Current law requires every other year inspections for vehicles more than five years old to renew a vehicle license.

Under the legislation, nearly 1.2 million Missouri vehicles would no longer be required to get safety inspections.

The provisions are included in Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville.

Gov. Nixon vetoes ‘extreme and disrespectful’ bill to lengthen abortion waits

July 2, 2014 By Mike Lear

Governor Jay Nixon (D) has vetoed legislation that would have tripled the waiting period for an abortion in Missouri.

Nixon called the legislation “extreme and disrespectful” for not including an exemption for women that have been the victim of rape or incest.

In a statement, Nixon said the bill “demonstrates a callous disregard for women who find themselves in horrific circumstances and would make Missouri just one of two states in the nation to take such an extreme step.

He adds, “Lengthening the already extensive waiting period serves no demonstrable purpose other than to create emotional and financial hardships for women who have undoubtedly already spent considerable time wrestling with perhaps the most difficult decision they may ever have to make.”

The Senate sponsor of the legislation, David Sater (R-Cassville), says he is disappointed with the veto.

Sater issued a statement saying abortion, “is an irreversible and permanent decision, and taking the time to think about the consequences is not unreasonable or a burden.

Sater says the law would not change the availability for victims of rape of medical treatment of contraception.

The legislation passed the House and Senate with majorities that would be great enough to overturn the Governor’s veto. Sater says, “I am confident my colleagues will again vote in (the September veto session) in support of life.”

Planned Parenthood issued a release praising Nixon’s action. Paula Gianino, President and CEO of the organization’s political arm in St. Louis, said, “Governor Nixon knows this bill would not help women. It would block access to safe, legal abortion and makes it more difficult for women to get the care they need.” The veto is also supported by the American Civil Liberties Union.