19 MAY 2004 [Expired]: Trails Bill Crisis--Letters Needed to Avoid Veto

[UPDATE 22 JUNE 2004: This alert has now expired. Gov. Holden is planning to sign this bill today. See details here. Thanks to all who contacted the governor in support of this bill!]

What happened
You all probably know by now that our bicycle legislation was on the MO House calendar but didn't quite make it to the top before the session ended. The one bright spot, though, was that on the very last day of the session SB 810, which MoBikeFed also supports, passed the House by a vote of 140-0.

SB810 gives a degree of immunity from civil liability claims to property owners adjoining trails like the Katy Trail. This helps immensely in defusing property owner opposition to such trails.

Please note that, besides rail-trails like the Katy, this would apply to single-track trails, levee trails, and other trails that are part of a greenway system or trail network. It applies equally to paved and unpaved trails.

Now, however, Governor Holden may veto SB810. Bill supporters believe it will take hundreds of letters on the Governor's desk to avoid the possibility of veto.

What you can do (in about 2 minutes if you use email)
Contact Governor Holden with this message:

Trails like the Katy Trail [or insert your favorite trail here] are an important health, recreational, and economic resource in Missouri. Please support SB 810, which will remove impediments to creating additional trails like the Katy Trail in Missouri.

Contact information

Governor Bob Holden
Missouri Capitol Building, Room 216
PO Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0720

Telephone: (573) 751-3222
FAX: (573) 751-1495

Email: mogov@mail.state.mo.us

Complete SB810 text.

Click on comments (at the end of this message) for details and a sample letter from the Missouri Park and Recreation Association.