Governor Jay Nixon on Thursday signed 12 bills into law and vetoed ten bills.

Nixon signed House Bill 1563, which expands the number of trained professionals providing autism therapy in Missouri.

House Bill 1563 establishes a procedure for provisional licensure of professionals.

The governor vetoed a measure that would allow insurance companies the right to deny coverage for contraception, which Nixon said would take that authority away from women, families and employers.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly passed the bill that would have banned mandatory insurance coverage of birth control, contraception, abortion and sterilization for anyone with religious or moral objections.

Nixon, a Democrat, said the bill could have also allowed insurers to deny contraception to women who want it. He said that it was a step backward for Missouri, and said it would set a dangerous precedent for the future and other types of health care services.

Nixon says he prefers letting families make those decisions, and says insurance companies should not have the power to overrule that right.

Nixon also vetoed HB 1329, which Nixon says would have imposed a new car tax on Missourians, without a vote of the people.  The Missouri Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that voters have the right to decide whether local jurisdictions impose a use tax on vehicles purchased out-of-state. More than 90 cities – and 40 counties – in Missouri have voted to enact such a tax. He says HB 1329 directly conflicts with that ruling, He says in jurisdictions that have voted against such a tax, this bill would impose a new tax in direct conflict with the will of the voters.

Here’s a list of the bills signed into law Thursday:
SB 470, concerning transportation;
SB 568, concerning transportation;
SB 636, concerning the judiciary;
SB 719, concerning public safety;
HB 1036, concerning ballot emblems;
HB 1103, concerning real estate;
HB 1105, concerning the state militia;
HB 1308, concerning pledged securities;
HB 1460, concerning the Court Automation Fund;
HB 1495, concerning the reporting of insurance fraud; and
HB 1909, concerning aviation

Here’s the list of bills the governor vetoed:
SB 566, concerning vaccination of pets;
SB 569, concerning elections;
SB 607, concerning outdoor advertising;
SB 635, concerning banking;
SB 715, concerning the state militia;
SB 749, concerning health care;
SB 837, concerning franchise alcohol suppliers;
HB 1250, concerning elections;
HB 1329, concerning motor vehicles; and
HB 1758, concerning parental relationships

You can find out more about each bill here.