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Vehicle sales bill unanimously passes through Senate committee

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The special session bill clarifying a vehicle sales tax issue unanimously passed out of a Senate committee Thursday afternoon. 

HB 1 will be heard in Fiscal Oversight Friday morning before going before the full body. 

“It is imperative that we, as a legislative body, have a clear and concise language which clears up any misunderstandings about the intent of the legislation,” Republican Rep. Becky Ruth, the House bill handler, told the Senate Committee on Ways and Means

Becky Ruth
Rep. Becky Ruth presents her vehicle sales bill (TIM BOMMEL/HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS).

Gov. Mike Parson called lawmakers back to Jefferson City this week to take up an issue stemming from a June Missouri Supreme Court decision. 

At issue is the ability for individuals to trade in a vehicle — which includes cars, boats, motors, and more — and credit the proceeds of multiple vehicles sold against the purchase of a new one. Additionally, lawmakers have questioned whether that trade in credit should apply prior to the titling of a new vehicle or within a 180 day window after. 

The Supreme Court interpreted the statute to be a “one-for-one” sort of deal when trading in a vehicle for another and using that credit to offset some of the cost. 

As the bill stands now, individuals would be able to take advantage of the 180 day window, including after the purchase of a new vehicle. 

If passed, it will take 90 days for the legislation to go into effect. An emergency clause to implement it immediately is not needed, Ruth said, because individuals impacted by the Supreme Court decision will still have enough time within the 180 day window to take advantage of the trade in rebate. 

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means is comprised of Sens. Andrew Koenig, Mike Bernskoetter, Eric Burlison, Mike Cierpiot, Bob Onder, Wayne Wallingford, Lauren Arthur, and Jamilah Nasheed; the former two are the lone Democrats on the committee. 

All senators were present at the hearing and voted to advance the bill. Wallingford is the handler of a similar bill in the Senate. 

The House has already third read and passed the legislation.