Ann Kelley's Capitol Connection

What’s Going on in the Capitol

Governor Vetoes Legislative Crime Prevention Package

The Governor did veto one bill, SB 189, which deals with public safety and crime prevention measures. The Governor cited the following provisions included in the bill as the reasons for his decision to veto:

· Section 610.140 - could allow criminals convicted of sexual offenses, including sexual exploitation of a minor or the promotion of child pornography, to have their records expunged and be removed from the sex offender registry. The provisions also include changes to how expungement requests are evaluated but fails to detail specific standards of proof for the court to consider.

· Section 650.058 - expands the qualifications for restitution from those who are exonerated based on DNA evidence to those who were later determined to be innocent through a habeas corpus proceeding and those whose convictions are set aside per a prosecutor’s motion to vacate the judgment. The change also increases the restitution amount by more than 75 percent for eligible individuals. This provision requires the State to pay the expanded and increased restitution requirements; however, Governor Parson does not believe every taxpayer across the State should be responsible for prosecutorial errors made at the local level.

"SB 189 contains many public safety measures that we support and would like to sign into law, including Blair's Law, Max's Law, increased penalties for violent repeat offenders and gun crimes, and strengthening the public defender system," Governor Parson said. "However, in this case, these unintended consequences unfortunately outweigh the good. Missourians know I am a law and order Governor and that improving public safety is a cornerstone of our administration, but I cannot sign this bill with these provisions as they are currently written."

The Governor could still technically call for an extraordinary session on this legislation, and the House and Senate have the option to attempt to override this veto, as well as the Governor’s veto of 201 line items in the state budget during the annual Veto Session, which takes place on September 13, 2023.

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I am always in your service,

State Representative

Ann Kelley

Proudly Serving District 127