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Jefferson City —
The Missouri Supreme Court has upheld a decision striking down a 2011 law that created an incentive fund for science and technology-based businesses.
In a unanimous ruling Tuesday, the court said the law was unconstitutional because the Legislature linked it to an unrelated bill about tax credits. That separate bill ultimately did not pass during a 2011 special session.
The Supreme Court said the contingency clause in Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act violated a constitutional requirement that bills address only a single subject. The court declined to sever the contingency clause and allow the rest of the bill to take effect, because it said it was doubtful the legislation would have passed without the contingency.
A Cole County judge originally struck down the law in February 2012.
The Missouri Supreme Court has upheld a decision striking down a 2011 law that created an incentive fund for science and technology-based businesses.
In a unanimous ruling Tuesday, the court said the law was unconstitutional because the Legislature linked it to an unrelated bill about tax credits. That separate bill ultimately did not pass during a 2011 special session.
The Supreme Court said the contingency clause in Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act violated a constitutional requirement that bills address only a single subject. The court declined to sever the contingency clause and allow the rest of the bill to take effect, because it said it was doubtful the legislation would have passed without the contingency.
A Cole County judge originally struck down the law in February 2012.
