Agricultural News
Missouri Cattlemen's Applaud Legislative Victories of Policy Priorities
Thu, 15 Sep 2016 10:26:49 CDT
Missouri lawmakers overrode Governor Jay Nixon's veto of SB 641 during the veto session Sept. 14, 2016. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Dave Schatz (R-26), exempts disaster payments received by farmers and ranchers during natural disasters from state income tax. The legislation was carried in the House by Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-160). Missouri Cattlemen's Association (MCA) President Keith Stevens said this legislation was a top priority for the association.
"Similar legislation was passed last year by the Arkansas legislature and it was time to bring this law to reality here in Missouri," said Stevens, who is a cattleman from Bolivar, Mo. "In the rare occurrence disaster payments are issued, we want cattlemen to be able to use those dollars in their entirety and not have to worry about the government taxing those payments as income. This helps local economies and will help farmers and ranchers stay afloat when a disaster occurs. This is a straightforward piece of legislation and we are pleased with the overwhelming support."
The measure cleared the House with 112 votes in favor, exceeding the 109 votes required for an override. The Senate surpassed the required two-thirds threshold with a 24-6 vote. Sen. Schatz said the legislation was about fairness.
"S.B. 641 is simply about fairness for our farmers and ranchers. While recovering from a disaster, our family farmers shouldn't be faced with a tax penalty on disaster payments that do not even constitute a profit," said Sen. Schatz. "No other disaster payment is taxed this way and it's wrong to tax farmers and ranchers right after they've faced down a drought. I am glad my colleagues joined me in overriding this veto."
The Missouri Cattlemen's Association (MCA) today also, called the override of SB 844 a victory for all cattle owners. The bill, which was vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon, was overridden by a 24-7 vote in the Senate and a 114-40 vote in the House. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson (R-28) and carried by Rep. Joe Don McGaugh (R-39), changes the law when livestock escape their confines.
"As the law stands now, the livestock owner is always guilty with no opportunity to prove otherwise. MCA supports changing the law where negligence must be proven," said Stevens. "If a drunk driver plows through a fence and causes cattle to escape, why in the world should the livestock owner be liable for damages caused by the livestock? The drunk driver should be held responsible. This is just one of many examples. We thank Sen. Parson, Rep. McGaugh and all of the elected leaders who supported this legislation."
Sen. Parson called the legislation "common sense reform." He said farm and ranch families should not be strictly liable for damages in all circumstances.
"I was proud to be a small part of protecting agriculture, which is the state's number one industry, with common sense legislation in this great state," said Sen. Parson.
Rep. McGaugh, who sponsored nearly identical legislation last year and this year, said he is excited to see the legislation become law.
"For too long in this state, the law has been slanted against livestock owners by making them strictly responsible for damages caused by their animals under all circumstances. This commonsense legislation shifts the burden to those who are truly responsible and truly negligent," said McGaugh. "After working for two years on this important issue, it was frustrating to see such a cursory review from the governor. However, it was refeshing to have bipartisan support from my collegues who overwhelmingly supported this legislation. I am excited to see it become law."
Source - Missouri Cattlemen's Association
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