| Barnitz advances bill allowing tractor parades to continue in Missouri |
By: State Sen. Frank Barnitz
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State Sen. Frank Barnitz
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (April 22, 2009) — A rural tradition would be legal and able to continue under a bill being handled in the Missouri State Senate by Sen. Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring. House Bill 93, which received full Senate approval on April 20, legalizes tractor parades, which are often organized as fundraisers by non-profit organizations and Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters. Details of House Bill 93 can be found at this link.
Barnitz sponsored similar legislation this year in the Senate.
“We were approached by members of organizations in the state about this common fundraiser in our rural communities,” said Barnitz. “Citizens wanted to continue holding tractor parades because they are a great way to show support for agriculture and fundraise for events, but were concerned about how to do so legally.”
House Bill 93 provides a way to legally hold the parades and ensures this pastime is legal and safe by allowing licensed drivers to assemble tractors and parade down Missouri roads for fundraisers as long as they have approval from the highway patrol. Specifically, the bill allows the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to exempt tractors from certain width, height, and length regulations when the tractors are participating in tractor parades for fund-raising activities.
“Without this legislation, Missouri law would not allow for these parades,” said Barnitz. “I want to make sure that this rural tradition continues.”
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If you would like to start receiving my column regularly, please visit my website at www.senate.mo.gov/barnitz and click the “Sign Up to Receive My E-Newsletter” link located under Constituent Services.
As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to call me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2108. You can also write to the address listed below:
Capitol Office
State Capitol Building
Room 427
Jefferson City, MO 65101
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