September

2025

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See ongoing updates from the Missouri General Assembly

2025 Legislative Updates

Past updates: Jan.10, 2025, Jan.17, 2025, Jan. 24, 2025, Jan. 31, 2025 , Feb. 7, 2025 , Feb. 14, 2025 , Feb. 21, 2025 , Feb. 28, 2025 , March 7, 2025, March 14, 2025, March 28, 2025, April 4, 2025, April 11, 2025, April 18, 2025, April 25, 2025, May 2, 2025, May 9, 2025 , May 17, 2025 , June 6, 2025 , June 13, 2025 , Sept. 12, 2025

This report compiled by The Missouri Bar Government Relations staff

Dec. 17, 2025

Legislature Began Pre-Filing Bills on December 1, 2025, for the 2026 Legislative Session

As of Wednesday afternoon, December 11, 2025, 1,571 bills had been pre-filed by Missouri legislators; 910 in the House and 661 in the Senate.

The bills are posted by Subject Matter or Practice Area in the Legislative Engagement Center on the Missouri Bar’s website.

If you have any questions or comments about specific legislation, please contact Government Relations staff at 573-659-2280 or govrel@mobar.org for more information.

Sept. 12, 2025

The 2025 2nd Extraordinary (Special) Session and Veto Session Convene and Conclude

On September 8, the Missouri House convened the 2025 2nd Extraordinary (Special) Session. Two Bills, briefly described below, were third read in the House and sent to the Senate for its consideration.

HB 1 – Deaton - Creates provisions for redistricting federal congressional seats

House: 90 voted Aye and 65 voted No
Senate: 21 voted Aye and 11 voted No

HJR 3 – Lewis (006) - Creates the "Protect Missouri Voters" amendment

House: 98 voted Aye and 58 voted No
Senate: 21 voted Aye and 11 voted No

On September 10, the Missouri House and the Missouri Senate convened in Veto Session of the 103rd General Assembly, first regular session. The House was first convened and voted not to overturn any of the Governor’s vetoes. Because of House action, it was unnecessary for the Senate to act on the vetoes. Recall that in order to overturn a Governor’s veto, both Chambers must vote to do so.

Following the Veto Session, the Senate convened the 2025 2nd Extraordinary (Special) Session. A filibuster of both bills ensued. However, ultimately, both bills passed the Senate.

The legislation takes effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session. The last day of the 2^nd Extra-Ordinary Session was September 12, 2025.

Some have strategized that the Democrats will use the 90 days to collect enough signatures to put the map to a referendum vote. It is estimated that little more than 106,000 signatures would be required. In that case, the legislation is not enacted until the referendum is concluded.

Two lawsuits already have been filed regarding the redistricting legislation. One in Cole County on behalf of Missouri citizens states that in

“In order to comply with the Missouri Constitution, Missouri’s congressional districts may only be drawn once in a decennial period, immediately after the U.S. Census is certified to the governor of Missouri.”

The second was filed by the ACLU on behalf of Missouri citizens in Jackson County, stating

“Under Article III, §45, the state’s 2022 congressional map must remain in place for the next decade or until a new decennial census shows that the districts should change.”

In addition, the ACLU’s suit adds that the “slapdash process” led to a drafting error, assigning a voting tabulation district to both CD-4 and CD-5, which creates violations of the constitutional requirements for the equal population and contiguity.

The Missouri Bar will keep members apprised of further action on the legislation.

June 13, 2025

Three bills Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed during the 2025 1^st Extraordinary (Special) Session

The Missouri House adopted all three bills passed by the Senate, making no changes. Speaker Patterson stated he was “mindful” not to risk making any changes to what the Senate had adopted, thus necessitating sending it back for concurrence or conference. Of particular concern to him was Senate Bill 3, providing tax incentives to finance new or renovated stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. The bills passed also included money for disaster recovery in St. Louis, and changes to property tax policies.

The Truly Agreed Bills, now await the Governor’s signature and are as follow:

SB 1 - Hough - To appropriate money to the Department of Economic Development for the Missouri Housing Development Commission

Provides funding for affordable housing, the MURR, upgrades on the State Fair grounds, capital improvements in state parks and historic sites and Conservation sites, National Guard and Highway Patrol facilities, a mental health hospital, and disaster relief in St. Louis.

SB 3 - Gregory (21) - Modifies provisions relating to taxation

The stadium funding plan would allocate state taxes collected from economic activity at Arrowhead and Kauffman to bond payments for renovations at Arrowhead and a new stadium for the Royals in Jackson or Clay counties.

SB 4 - Bean - Authorizes the expedited disbursement of funds from the Missouri Housing Trust Fund for emergency aid

Allows administrative costs and burdens to be waived to expedite the delivery of disaster relief aid assistance. Provides that persons or families will be eligible for aid from the Fund if the household combined and adjusted gross income is equal to or less than 75% of the median family income from the geographic area in which the residential unit is located or the median family income for the state of Missouri, whichever is greater.

The bills were adopted on June 11, 2025.

June 6, 2025

The Senate Convenes in Special Session

The Special Session began with lawmakers split on the plan to provide tax incentives to finance new or renovated stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, Governor Kehoe’s key objective for the session. However, following talks regarding what Senators would need to pass the measure, the Governor expanded the special session agenda enough to win Missouri Senate passage. Those measures included money for disaster recovery in St. Louis, and changes to property taxes policies.

The state Senate approved the financing plan in the early morning hours Thursday. It then adjourned.

While the Senate was convened, it perfected the following:

SB 1 - Hough - To appropriate money to the Department of Economic Development for the Missouri Housing Development Commission

SB 3 - Gregory (21) - Modifies provisions relating to taxation

SB 4 - Bean - Authorizes the expedited disbursement of funds from the Missouri Housing Trust Fund for emergency aid

These will now be sent to the House for its consideration.

Governor Kehoe’s Amended Call
On June 4, Governor Kehoe amended his call for the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session to include legislation that provides additional tools and funding for disaster relief, new property tax relief, a tax incentive program for economic development, and additional funding for critical budget appropriations. It replaces the previous call, issued May 27.

Disaster Relief in areas included in a request for presidential disaster declaration by the Governor
- Establish a tax credit against an individual’s income tax liability for the insurance deductible incurred as a direct result of a disaster, up to an amount of five thousand dollars per homestead per year. The credit must
  - be non-refundable
  - be issued only for tax year 2025
    - with a first-come first-served redemption cap of $90,000,000 tax year 2025 and
    - a $45,000,000 redemption cap for tax years 2026 through 2054
- Enhance the utility of the Missouri Housing Trust Fund by
  - expanding eligibility to include persons or families whose household adjusted gross income is equal to or less than 75% of the median family income in the geographic area in which the residential unit is located, or the median family income for the state of Missouri, whichever is larger, and
  - removing administrative burdens and costs to expedite support for such persons and families
- Appropriate money for the Missouri Housing Development Commission for
  - general administration of affordable housing activities and
  - for emergency aid in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000 from General Revenue transferred to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund
- Appropriate money for a Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief from a disaster in an amount transferred not to exceed $100,000,000 from General Revenue
- Provide relief from residential real estate property tax for households that have become uninhabitable due to damage incurred as a direct result of a disaster to be pro-rated for the portion of 2025 in which the household is uninhabitable
Tax Policy
- Limit increases in property tax assessments for residential real property in 2025 to no more than five percent compared to the prior year, with exceptions for new construction and improvements;
- Appropriate money for MU to plan, design and construct the Radioisotope Science Center (MURR) on the Columbia campus, in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000 from General Revenue
- Provide procedures, remedies, and judicial review where the State Tax Commission issues an order requiring a county to equalize or modify assessments
- Authorize counties to impose a tax credit for increases in real property tax liabilities over five percent per year
Budget Investments
- Appropriate money from funds other than General Revenue for purposes provided for in House Bill 19 in the 2025 regular legislative session
- Modify tax credits for sporting events
- Establish economic development incentives for athletic and entertainment facility projects of a professional sports franchise that is a member of Major League Baseball or the National Football League
Add an emergency clause to necessary legislation enacted during the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session
Such additional and other matters as may be recommended by the Governor by special message to the General Assembly after it shall have been convened.

To view the special message to the General Assembly, visit this link.

May 17, 2025

Four Missouri Bar Priorities are Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed

2025 Introduced Legislation
To see legislation that has been introduced, organized by subject matter or practice area, visit The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center. The bills are automatically updated with the latest status of the bills listed and provide links to the individual bill webpages. If you have any questions or comments about specific legislation, please contact Government Relations staff at 573-659-2280 or govrel@mobar.org for more information.

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Missouri Bar Priorities Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed
The Senate adopted its substitute for HB 754 (SS SCS HB 754). The substitute included four of The Missouri Bar priorities. They are:

Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act (Sections 474.540 to 474.564, RSMo)
Estate Planning Documents Executed During State of Emergency (Section 474.600, RSMo)
Principal Place of Administration of a Trust [Trust Situs] (Section 456.1-108, RSMo)
Statute Of Limitations on Actions Against a Trustee [Trust Termination] (Section 456.10-1005, RSMo)

Budget

House Bills 2 through 14 have been Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed (TAFP), thus meeting the constitutional deadline for adopting a budget. Also meeting the deadline are HBs 17, 18 and 20.

Last Friday, Missouri House Republicans killed a $517 million capital improvements bill – HB 19. Failure to pass the bill means 86 projects must secure other funding, wait a year for another opportunity for state support or be canceled.

Some of the projects not funded include:

$50 million to support the University of Missouri’s project to build a new research reactor, creating isotopes to treat cancer.
$55 million for a new livestock display and stalling barn at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.
$40 million for health care projects in amounts ranging from $750,000 to $10 million in St. Louis, Lee’s Summit, Barry County, Springfield, Kansas City, Joplin, Clinton, Butler, Salem, St. Joseph, Pineville, Sullivan County, Scotland County and Pemiscot County.

House Budget Committee Chair Dirk Deaton said the bill was killed because overall spending in the budget had exceeded the amount he set as the ceiling and there had been no time to work out differences.

Senate leaders were not told of the House’s decision in advance. When the Senate took up HB 199, Senate Appropriations Chair, Lincoln Hough, rose to say he did not intend to let any House bills pass.

Legislative Chambers

The Missouri General Assembly Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) 67 legislative measures this session, including the 16 budget bills. They are listed by chamber.

SENATE

Twenty-eight measures that originated in the Senate were TAFPd. They are:

SB 1 - Crawford - Modifies provisions relating to county officials
SB 2 - Crawford - Modifies provisions relating to financial statements of certain local governments
SB 3 - Crawford - Modifies or enacts provisions relating to Department of Revenue fee offices
SB 4 - Cierpiot - Modifies and creates new provisions relating to utilities
SB 22 - Brattin - Modifies provisions relating to summary statements for statewide ballot measures
SB 28 - Bean - Modifies provisions relating to transportation
SB 43 - Fitzwater - Modifies provisions relating to protection of vulnerable persons
SB 47 - Trent - Amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions
SB 49 - Black - Authorizes school districts and charter schools to employ or accept chaplains as volunteers
SB 63 - Brown (26) - Creates and modifies provisions relating to the participation of certain students in nontraditional educational settings
SB 68 - Henderson - Creates, repeals, and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education
SB 71 - Gregory (15) - Creates and modifies provisions relating to public safety
SB 79 - Gregory (21) - Modifies provisions relating to health care
SB 81 - Gregory (21) - Modifies provisions relating to public safety
SB 82 - Burger - Creates provisions relating to water preservation in the state
SB 98 - Crawford - Creates the offense of financial institution accounts fraud
SB 105 - Bernskoetter - Modifies provisions relating to invasive plants
SB 133 - Fitzwater - Modifies and creates new provisions relating to underground facilities
SB 145 - Coleman - Modifies provisions relating to the taxation of certain businesses
SB 152 - Brown (26) - Creates new provisions relating to foreign spending in state ballot measure elections
SB 160 - Hudson - Establishes provisions relating to educational institutions
SB 218 - Black - Modifies provisions relating to court operations
SB 221 - Schroer - Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and subregulatory documents
SB 271 - Black - Modifies provisions relating to fire protection ordinances
SB 348 - Fitzwater - Modifies provisions relating to tourism
SB 396 - Brown (26) - Authorizes the board of trustees of a consolidated public library district to change the dates of the fiscal year
SCR 3 - Carter - Modifies the statewide mission of Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and House leaders pushed to provide $300 million in state funding, covering up to half of the cost of a new stadium for the Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs. The measure was passed by the House in an amendment to SB 80, without being presented as a formal bill and or having a public hearing or debate. The state Senate, in bipartisan fashion, opposed it Tuesday night. The measure died.

Missouri Senate Republicans invoked a rarely used rule Wednesday to shut down a Democratic filibuster. The rule — a procedural maneuver known as “calling the previous question,” or PQ — requires an immediate vote on the bill under debate. That bill was HCS HJR 73, which will send a measure to the ballot that would overturn Amendment 3, passed by voters in November 2024. The PQ is used regularly in the Missouri House, but rarely in the Senate because of its tradition of unlimited debate and negotiations over difficult issues.

The rule was immediately used again to pass HCS # 2 for HBs 567, 546, 758, and 958, which would repeal the paid sick leave portion of Proposition A, also passed by voters in November 2024. The Senate then adjourned until May 22, 2025.

HOUSE

The chamber Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed 11 bills on Thursday, and then adjourned until May 29. This is the first time in more than 70 years that the House has finished its business before the final day of the legislative session.

Thirty-nine measures that originated in the House were TAFPd. They are:

HB 2 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
HB 3 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
HB 4 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Revenue and the Department of Transportation
HB 5 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Office of Administration
HB 6 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation
HB 7 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Commerce and Insurance, and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
HB 8 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Public Safety and the Department of National Guard
HB 9 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Corrections
HB 10 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Health and Senior Services
HB 11 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for the Department of Social Services
HB 12 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for Elected Officials, the Office of Public Defender, the Judiciary, and the General Assembly
HB 13 - Deaton - Appropriates state funding for statewide leasing
HB 14 - Deaton - Appropriates supplemental funds
HB 17 - Deaton - Reappropriations
HB 18 - Deaton - Appropriates money for maintenance and repair of state property
HB 20 - Deaton - Appropriates funds from the American Recovery Plan Act
HB 105 - Verneti - Conveys certain state property
HB 121 - Murphy - Modifies provisions relating to services for new families
HB 145 - Falkner - Modifies provisions of the Judicial Privacy Act and the Missouri Sunshine Law
HB 147 - Hovis - Modifies provisions relating to retirement
HB 169 - Brown - Modifies provisions relating to cotton trailers
HB 199 - Falkner - Modifies provisions relating to political subdivisions
HB 225 - Myers - Modifies provisions relating to first responders
HB 262 - Brown - Establishes the “Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act”
HB 296 - Kalberloh - Modifies provisions relating to school bus endorsements
HB 419 - Mayhew - Modifies provisions relating to education
HB 495 - Christ - Modifies provisions relating to public safety
HB 516 - Matthiesen - Modifies certain provisions relating to the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund
HB 567 - Gallick - Modifies provisions relating to employee compensation
HB 594 - Perkins - Authorizes an income tax deduction for capital gains
HB 595 - Brown - Modifies provisions relating to real estate transactions
HB 596 - Brown - Modifies provisions relating to the timing of service agreements between designated real estate brokers and buyers or tenants
HB 737 - Schmidt - Modifies provisions relating to child protection
HB 754 - Oehlerking - Modifies various provisions relating to banks and trust companies
HB 810 - Baker - Designates "Davy & Natalie Lloyd Memorial Highway" in Newton County
HB 974 - Murphy - Enacts provisions relating to insurance for certain uses of motor vehicles
HB 1041 - Diehl - Modifies provisions relating to alcoholic beverages
HJR 23 - Caton - Requires all county assessors in charter counties to be elected
HJR 73 - Lewis - Establishes provisions relating to reproductive health care

Committee Hearings of Interest

SENATE

There were none.

HOUSE

The House Committee on Children and Families met in executive session on May 13 and took action on the following:

HCR 4 (Murray), Designates the last week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week"

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

May 9, 2025

Only one week remains in the Legislative Session

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Budget
The Conference Committee on the Budget met May 7 to confer on HBs 2 through 9. The discussions are available for your review. On May 8, the Committee conferred on HBs 10 through 13. Discussions are available for your review. A Conference Committee Substitute also was prepared for HB 17, which appropriates money for capital improvements.

House Bills 2 through 14 have been Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed (TAFP), thus meeting the constitutional deadline for adopting a budget. Also meeting the deadline are HBs 18 and 20. HBs 17 and 19 await action. Members may be interested in reviewing HB 12, which provides funding for the Judiciary and the Office of the Public Defender.

Legislative Chambers
Thirteen Senate Bills have been Truly Agreed and Finally Passed. Bills adopted this week include:

SB 28 - Bean - Modifies provisions relating to cotton trailers

SB 43 - Fitzwater - Modifies provisions relating to protection of vulnerable persons

SB 63 - Brown (26) - Creates and modifies provisions relating to the participation of certain students in nontraditional educational settings

SB 71 - Gregory (15) - Creates and modifies provisions relating to compensation for public safety personnel and establishes the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide college tuition awards for certain public safety personnel and their legal dependents

SB 81 - Gregory (21) - Modifies provisions relating to fireworks protections

SB 218 - Black - Modifies provisions relating to court operations

The House has TAFPd a total of thirty-one bills, including the budget bills. Bills adopted this week include:

HB 594 - Perkins - Authorizes an income tax deduction for capital gains

HB 595 - Brown - Modifies provisions relating to real estate transactions

HB 754 - Oehlerking - Modifies various provisions relating to banks and trust companies

HB 1041 - Diehl - Modifies provisions relating to alcoholic beverages

For those interested in viewing what the General Assembly may consider during the coming week, the Calendars are available.

House Calendar

Senate Calendar

Committee Hearings of Interest

SENATE

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met in executive session on May 5, and took action on the following:

SCS HCS HB 943 (Peters), Modifies provisions relating to health care

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

SCS HB 825 (Stinnett), Modifies provisions relating to telehealth services

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 2

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met in executive session on May 5, and took action on the following:

SCS HB 37 (Billington) Modifies provisions relating to infrastructure

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SCS HB 42 (Billington) Requires that certain records regarding the acquisition of a catalytic converter include the vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SCS HCS HB 572 (Hurlbert), Modifies provisions relating to transportation

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 2

SCS HB 969 (Knight), Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicles

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0, and one voting present

The Senate General Laws Committee met on met on May 6, and held a public hearing on the following:

HCS HB 918 (Black), Establishes immunity from liability for certain designers, manufacturers, sellers, and lessors of products

In Support: American Tort Reform Association, Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, Associated Industries, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

HOUSE

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met on May 8, and held a public hearing on the following:

SJR 40 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to sheriffs

In Support: Osage County Sheriff, Osage County Republican Committee, Missouri Sheriffs United
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes:
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SJR 40 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to sheriffs

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 5

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

JOINT

The Joint Committee on the Justice System met on May 7, and held an organizational meeting. The Committee also elected a Chair and Vice-Chair.

Chair – Rep. Cameron Parker

Vice-Chair – Sen. Nick Schroer

The Committee will be reviewing the Criminal Code.

May 2, 2025

Appropriation Bills in Conference. Compliance with the May 9 Deadline for Adoption Anticipated

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Budget
Tuesday evening, the Senate took up the Appropriations bills, and worked until around midnight to complete the deliberations. Floor substitutes were offered for the SCSs HCSs 2 and 6 through 12. The Appropriations bills have been sent to Conference. Both Chambers have appointed members to the Conference Committees. The final conference reports adopted by both chambers as Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed will be reported at a later date. Based on members’ interest, SS SCS HCS HB 12, dealing with the Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office is currently available for review.

Legislative Chambers
This week, eight bills and one concurrent resolution were Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed (TAFP). They are HB 169 (Brown), HB 296 (Kalberloh), HB 737 (Schmidt), HJR 23 (Caton), HB 974 (Murphy), SB 1 (Crawford), SB 98 (Crawford), SB 396 (Brown), SCR 3 (Carter). A total of 15 legislative measures have been TAFP.

The House has Third Read 158 bills. The Senate has sent 56 bills, joint and concurrent resolutions to the House for consideration. Seventeen bills, including the budget bills, are in Conference.

For those interested in viewing what the General Assembly may consider during the coming week, the Calendars are available.

House Calendar

Senate Calendar

Committee Hearings of Interest

SENATE

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Apr. 28.

If you wish to make a comment regarding the efficiency of state government, the Portal is available for your use.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Apr. 28, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 37 (Billington) Modifies provisions relating to infrastructure

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

HB 42 (Billington) Requires that certain records regarding the acquisition of a catalytic converter include the vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed

In Support: Recycled Materials Association
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Advantage Metals Recycling

HB 138 (Justus) Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicle registration

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 572 (Hurlbert), Modifies provisions relating to transportation

In Support: Department of Revenue, Missouri Trucking Association, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees - Division of the Teamsters, Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association
In Opposition: Missouri Tow Truck Association, Missourians for Transportation Investment, The Rex Group - Towing, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Associated Industries, Missouri Municipal League, Municipal League of Metro-St. Louis, American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Department of Transportation

HB 969 (Knight), Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicles

In Support: Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, Department of Revenue, Carvana
In Opposition: none

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Apr. 29, and held public hearings on bills that are not of interest to members of The Missouri Bar. However, in executive session, the Committee took action on the following:

HB 437 (Hardwick), Modifies provisions relating to settlement demands

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Apr. 30, and held public hearings on the following:

HCS HJR 73 (Lewis), Establishes provisions relating to reproductive health care

In Support: Timothy Faber, Amy DeClue, Freedom Principle Missouri, Missouri Catholic Conference, Kristine Dadant
In Opposition: Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia, Diane Lamar, Sarah Johnson, Marie Carlson, Emilia Stauffer, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, Access Missouri, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, Courtney Cushard, Kay Park, Kenya Gumbs, Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, Sarah Jensen, Cheryl Barbero, Kimberly Crouse, Deanne Glenn, Nancy O'Brien, Abortion Action Missouri, Stephen Perry, Gina Meyer, Catine Blackburn, Alexandra Houston-Ludlam, Andrew Atwell, Abby Hendon, JoAnn Mattison, Angela Fronta, Ashley Jaworkski, Brittany Hughes, Christine Jackson, Linda Ross, Yosef Rubanovich, Carla Nieman, Karl Tray, Bruce Rogers, Susan Fazio, Nancy Saccone, Angela Allard, Stacy Hagen, Anne Stevens, Alane Wolins, Sara Esther, Betzy Vanderheyden, Missouri Equity Education Partnership, Laura Moore, Desiree White, Patricia Daniel, Denise Herrington, Diane Levine, Katelyn Hopkins, Eric Johnston, Colleen Tepen, Tanya Harnaford, Angela Fronte, Jeanette Rouse, Kevin Thompson, Melanie Montambeault, Sadie Thibodeaux, Corinne Oberlin, Blythe Spindler-Richardson, Devon Torrez, Janet Myers, Patricia Wickham, Jennifer Dwyer, Cammie Storm, Alison Kaiser, Andrea Lacey, Maggie Durant, Chris Jordan, Melinda Elmore, Julie Peterson, Meir Schindler, Cristen Mathews, Karen Meyer, Kathleen Pszonka, Joan Twillman, Deanne Raw, Lilian Dodenhoff, Ruth Knittel, Rita Fitzjarrell, Liz Lehmann, Kimberly Steinmetz, Yvonne Chong, Melisabeth Johnston, Hannah Nothern, Oneta Templeton

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HJR 73 (Lewis), Establishes provisions relating to reproductive health care

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

A Conference Committee met on May 1, in regard to the following

SS SCS SBs 81 &74, with HCS, as amended

HOUSE

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Apr. 29, and held a public hearing on the following:

HCR 4 (Murray), Designates the last week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week"

In Support: Danielle Zoll, Alicia Amos,
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 1072 & 1417 (Sparks), Establishes the "Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act"

Failed by a vote of 3 yes to 7 no, and 5 voting present

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met in executive session on Apr. 30 and took action on the following:

HCS SB 43 (Fitzwater), Modifies provisions relating to child protection

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 1

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met on Apr. 30, and held a public hearing on the following

HB 981 (Roberts), Allows the director of the department of public safety to deny a peace officer license if an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or has had a license permanently revoked or suspended

In Support: Arnie Dienoff, Department of Public Safety
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 981 (Roberts), Allows the director of the department of public safety to deny a peace officer license if an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or has had a license permanently revoked or suspended

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met in executive session on May 1 and took action on the following:

HCS SB 167 (Gregory - 21), Modifies provisions relating to the offense of hazing

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

April 25, 2025

Only three weeks remain in the Legislative Session

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Budget
The Senate has not yet taken action on the Appropriations Bills. However, the language of the proposed Senate Committee substitutes is available. The Appropriations Bills are on the Senate Formal Calendar of House Bills on Third Reading. It is likely that there will be Senate Floor Substitutes made for some of the Committee Substitutes. As a reminder from last week, the budget must pass by May 9.

SCS HCS HB 2 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
SCS HCS HB 3 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
SCS HCS HB 4 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Revenue & the Department of Transportation
SCS HCS HB 5 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Office of Administration
SCS HCS HB 6 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Conservation
SCS HCS HB 7 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Commerce and Insurance, and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
SCS HCS HB 8 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Public Safety and the Department of the National Guard
SCS HCS HB 9 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Corrections
SCS HCS HB 10 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Health and Senior Services
SCS HCS HB 11 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for the Department of Social Services
SCS HCS HB 12 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for Elected Officials, the Office of Public Defender, the Judiciary, and the General Assembly
SCS HCS HB 13 (Deaton), appropriating state funds for statewide leasing
SCS HCS HB 17 (Deaton), appropriating funds for capital improvement and other purposes

Legislative Chambers
Fifty-six Senate Bills have been sent to the House for consideration. In addition the Senate has sent two Concurrent Resolutions. One hundred sixty-seven bills have been third read in the House. These bills are now being considered by the opposite Chamber.

House Calendar

Senate Calendar

Currently, three bills are in conference. Seven bills have been Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed. This week, the Governor signed two of those bills: SB 22 (Brattin), Modifying provisions relating to summary statements for statewide ballot measures, and SB 47 (Trent), Amending Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions.

SB 22

extends the period requiring all actions challenging ballot titles for statewide ballot measures to be finally adjudicated from not less than 56 days to 70 days prior to the election.
increases the total word limitation on summary statements for ballot measures proposed by the General Assembly from 50 words to 100 words.
requires challenges to summary statements be brought in the Cole County circuit court not later than the 22nd Tuesday prior to the General Election. If the court finds the statement to be sufficient and fair, it must order the statement to be placed on the ballot. If not, the circuit court may make suggested revisions but must order the Secretary of State (SOS) to prepare up to 3 revised statements, which the court must determine to be sufficient and fair. If so, that summary statement appears on the ballot, subject to any appeals. If not, the court writes its own and orders it to appear on the ballot, subject to any appeals.
allows the Attorney General to appeal a preliminary injunction in which the state or state official is preliminarily enjoined from implementing, enforcing, or otherwise effectuating any provision of the Missouri Constitution or of any Missouri statute or regulation.

SB 47

makes changes to mirror the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
provides that an order certifying a class action shall define the class and the class claims, issues, or defenses and shall appoint class counsel.
allows an order granting or denying class certification to be altered or amended before final judgment, or combined with orders for actions taken at the case management conference.
allows notices to class members to be by US mail, electronic or other appropriate means.
the notice must be clearly and concisely state in plain, easily understood language:

(1) The nature of the action;

(2) The definition of the class certified;

(3) The class claims, issues, or defenses;

(4) That a class member may enter an appearance through an attorney if the member so desires;

(5) That the court will exclude from the class any member who requests exclusion;

(6) The time and manner for requesting exclusion; and

(7) The binding effect of a class judgment on members.

Committee Hearings of Interest

SENATE

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Apr. 22, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 615 (Fitzwater) Establishes provisions relating to construction contracts

In Support: TJ Wies Contracting, K.J. Unnerstall Construction Co., Painting and Decorating Foundation & Wall, Ceiling Contractors Association, SITE Improvement Association, Missouri and Kansas District Laborers Council
In Opposition: Associated Builders and Contractors – Heart of Missouri Chapter, Branco Enterprises, Associated General Contractors of Missouri, HTH Companies, Thermal Tech, SBC Contracting, St. Louis Homebuilders Association, The Builders’ Association/ KC Chapter of AGC

SB 626 (Carter) Establishes provisions relating to liability for inherent risks of motocross activities

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 679 (Nurrenbern) Modifies provisions relating to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 328 (Taylor), Changes the law regarding firearm concealed carry permits

In Support: Susan Myers, Missouri Firearms Coalition, William Bland, Western Missouri Shooters Alliance, Paul Smart, Mark Buckner, Arnold Rifle and Pistol Club
In Opposition: Missouri Public Transit Association, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, City of Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, City of St. Louis, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense

HCS HB 378 (Pollitt), Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicle registrations

In Support: Carvana
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 1346 (Steinmeyer), Modifies provisions relating to port authorities

In Support: Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Hunt Midwest Real Estate, Missouri Port Authority Association, BNSF Railway Company, JE Dunn Construction
In Opposition: Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council, Missouri and Kansas District Laborers Council, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri AFL-CIO, Kansas City Public School District

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SB 672 (Gregory - 15) Enacts the "Alexander Whalen Safe Highways Act" pertaining to wrong-way vehicle detection systems

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

SB 711 (Nicola), Provides that motorcycles may use any color auxiliary lighting, rather than only amber and white

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

HCS HB 1175 (Hardwick), Modifies provisions relating to additional protections to bear arms

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

The Senate Emerging Issues & Professional Registration Committee met on Apr. 22, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 992 (Myers), Modifies provisions relating to criminal history background checks

In Support: Missouri Division of Professional Registration, Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri State Highway Patrol
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 268 (Shields), Modifies provisions relating to professional registration

In Support: Missouri Ambulance Association, CoxHealth, Missouri Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, Missouri Dental Association
In Opposition: none

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Apr. 23, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 662 (Brattin), Modifies provisions relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

In Support: FGA Action, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: Empower Missouri, The Food Banks of Missouri, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Sally Hargas – Ozarks Coca-Cola, Missouri Beverage Association, Missouri Grocers’ Association, Missouri Retailers Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association, Associated Industries

SB 726 (Henderson), Limits the sale or purchase of certain drugs

In Support: Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Haleon
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 195 & 1119 (Seitz), Establishes the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act"

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

HCS HB 339 (Kelley), Modifies provisions relating to complaints against child care facilities

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 598 (Gregory - 15), Modifies provisions relating to the disclosure of vital records

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Apr. 23, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1218 (Himan), Modifies the offense of burglary in the second degree

In Support: Missouri Retailors Association, Missouri Grocers’ Association
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session

HB 49 (Haley), Modifies the offenses of trafficking drugs in the first and second degree

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 741 (Schroer), Modifies provisions relating to the appointment of counsel for postconviction relief of sentences of death

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SCS HCS HB 1259 (Hardwick), Modifies provisions relating to civil jurisprudence

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SCS HCS HB 176 (Parker), Establishes provisions relating to electronic estate planning

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SCS HCS HBs 971, 293 & 978 (Williams), Creates the offense of unlawful tracking of a motor vehicle

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SCS HCS HB 1464 (Lewis), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of vulnerable persons

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

HOUSE

The House Committee on Local Government met on Apr. 23, and took the following action in executive session:

HCS HB 443 (Gallick), Modifies provisions governing the preemption of local ordinances involving employment law

Do Pass by a vote of 8 to 6

HB 1572 (Diehl), Authorizes the city of Nevada to impose a sales tax for public safety

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 1

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met in executive session on Apr. 23 and took action on the following:

HCS HB 206 (Hinman), Modifies provisions relating to driver's licenses

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 4

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met in executive session on Apr. 23 and took action on bills including the following:

HCS SB 50 (Black), Modifies provisions relating to jails

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

April 18, 2025

Last Day of Legislative Session is May 16, 2025.

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Budget
The FY 2026 Budget Notes on the appropriations bills are available on the Senate website. The Senate Appropriations Committee made its recommendations regarding changes that needed to be made to the budget bills adopted by the House. The Committee adopted Senate Committee Substitutes for all, and unanimously voted they Do Pass. Appropriation bills must be adopted by both Chambers no later than May 9 in accordance with the Missouri Constitution that states, “No appropriation bill shall be taken up for consideration after 6:00 p.m. on the First Friday following the first Monday in May of each year.” Article III, Section 25

Legislative Chambers
This is the time of year that committees in both Chambers load bills, crossing over from the other, with their priorities. Only four weeks remain in the legislative session. In compliance with Missouri’s constitutional requirement, “All bills in either house remaining on the calendar after 6:00 p.m. on the first Friday following the second Monday in May are tabled.” Article III, Section 20(a)

The House has third read 144 bills. The Senate has sent 56 pieces of legislation to the House for consideration. One bill, HB 737, sponsored by Representative Schmidt and dealing with the protection of children, is in conference. The Senate offered a substitute, which the House refused to adopt, instead requesting that the Senate recede or to grant a conference. The Senate refused to recede, and both Chambers have appointed members to a conference committee.

Committee Hearings of Interest
SENATE

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Apr. 14, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 672 (Gregory - 15) Enacts the "Alexander Whalen Safe Highways Act" pertaining to wrong-way vehicle detection systems

In Support: Dawn Whalen (mother), Keith Smart (uncle), Mothers Against Drunk Driving
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 1175 (Hardwick), Modifies provisions relating to additional protections to bear arms

In Support: Missouri Firearms Coalition, Susan Myers
In Opposition: Ron Calzone, Rolla Police Department, Columbia Police Department, Branson Police Department, Missouri Sheriffs United, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, Versailles Police Department

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SB 669 (Gregory - 15), Creates the offense of interference with a first responder

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 1

SCS HB 225 (Myers) Modifies provisions relating to law enforcement practices

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 1

SCS HCS HBs 799, 334, 424 & 1069 (Baker), Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicles

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 1

The Senate Emerging Issues & Professional Registration Committee met on Apr. 15, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 478 (Oehlerking), Modifies provisions relating to professional licensing

In Support: FGA Action, Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers, Independent Payroll Providers, United We, Missouri Pharmacy Association, Missouri Speech - Language - Hearing Association.
In Opposition: none

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Apr. 15, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HCS HB 497 (Christ), Modifies provisions relating to workers' compensation

In Support: Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, Missouri Association of Counties, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Associated Industries, Missouri Insurance Coalition, Missouri Grocers Association, Missouri Retailers Association
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Craig Ortwerth, Missouri AFL-CIO

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 826 (Gregory - 21) Modifies provisions relating to determinations of fault in tort actions

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Apr. 16, and held public hearings on the following:

HCS HBs 195 & 1119 (Seitz), Establishes the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act"

In Support: Missouri Right to Life, Campaign Life Missouri, Timothy Faber, Missouri Catholic Conference, ArmorVine, Liberty Link Missouri
In Opposition: Abortion Action Missouri

HCS HB 339 (Kelley), Modifies provisions relating to complaints against child care facilities

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

HB 825 (Stinnett), Modifies provisions relating to telehealth services

In Support: Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Missouri Nurses Association, Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, Missouri Psychological Association, Missouri Chapter of The American Academy of Pediatrics, SSM Health, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Missouri Hospital Association, BJC Healthcare System, CoxHealth, National Association of Social Workers, Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, REACH Healthcare Foundation
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 835 (Farnan), Modifies provisions relating to in-home licensed day care

In Support: none
In Opposition: Kids Win Missouri, Child Care Aware of Missouri, Children’s Trust Fund, Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children

HCS HBs 850, 53 & 482 (Hausman), Modifies provisions relating to child care facility licenses

In Support: Missouri YMCAs, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Kids Win Missouri, Nikki Rexroat, Jewish Federation of St. Louis
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS HB 121 (Murphy), Modifies the "Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002"

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

HCS HBs 243 & 280 (Williams), Modifies provisions relating to dissolution of marriage or legal separation and pregnancy status

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

HCS HBs 177 & 469 (Parker), Modifies MO HealthNet coverage of hearing instruments

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Apr. 16, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 706 (Hudson), Provides liability protections for charitable organizations making good faith disclosures of sexual abuse

In Support: Pastor Jon C. Nelson
In Opposition: none

SB 741 (Schroer), Modifies provisions relating to the appointment of counsel for postconviction relief of sentences of death

In Support: Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Mary McEntee, Traci Duncan
In Opposition: none

SB 778 (Trent), Creates criminal offenses relating to drug-free homeless service zones

In Support: Cicero Action
In Opposition: none

HB 49 (Haley), Modifies the offenses of trafficking drugs in the first and second degree

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 176 (Parker), Establishes provisions relating to electronic estate planning

In Support: Judicial Conference of Missouri, The Missouri Bar, The Institute for Free Speech, Trust & Will, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Services of Southern Missouri, Mid-Missouri Legal Services
In Opposition: none

HB 543 (Cook), Modifies provisions relating to notarization requirements for certain mental health detentions

In Support: Missouri Hospital Association
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session

SB 794 (Brattin), Modifies provisions relating to judicial proceedings, including intervention in actions involving abortion and the composition of the Western and Southern Districts of the Court of Appeals

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

SB 667 (Henderson), Modifies provisions relating to workers' compensation

Do Pass by a vote of 7 to 0

SCS HCS HB 87 (Griffith), Modifies provisions relating to driving while intoxicated

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

SCS HCS HB 615 (Colman), Modifies provisions relating to judicial proceedings

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Apr. 15 and 16. On Apr. 15, the Committee made its recommendations on House Bills 2 through 9. On Apr. 16, the Committee made its recommendations on House Bills 10 through 13 and 17. On Apr. 16, the Committee voted out House Bills 2 through 13 and 17.

HOUSE

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Apr. 15, and held public hearings on the following:

HBs 1072 and 1417 were heard together

HB 1072 (Sparks), Establishes the "Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act"

Electronic Forms

HB 1417 (Whaley), Establishes the "Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act"

Electronic Forms

In Support: Timothy Faber, Foundation to Abolish Abortion, Pastor Judah Marx, Pastor Josh Holler, Benjamin Belcher, Liberty Link Missouri
In Opposition: Chloe Mix, Emily Waples

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS SB 66 (McCreery), Modifies provisions relating to the age of marriage

Do pass by a vote of 14 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met in executive session on Apr. 16 and took action on the following:

HCS SB 221 (Schroer), Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and sub-regulatory documents

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0

HCS SB 218 (Black), Modifies the provisions relating to the establishment of treatment courts by providing for a mental health treatment court

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met on Apr. 16 and held public hearings on bills including the following:

SB 50 (Black), Modifies provisions relating to jails

In Support: LJ Hart & Company, St. Louis County
In Opposition: National Crime Information Center Inmate Communications

Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met in executive session on Apr. 16, and took action on the following

HCS SB 60 (Carter), Modifies the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree

Do Pass by a vote of 19 to 0

HCS HB 1420 & 527 (Mayhew), Establishes the "Auto Theft Prevention Program" within the department of public safety

Do Pass by a vote of 18 to 0

HCS HB 901 (Murray), Creates provisions relating to workplace security for health care professionals

Do Pass by a vote of 20 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Apr. 16, and took the following action in executive session:

HCS HBs 434 & 459 (Hardwick), Establishes the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act"

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 4

This bill was reconsidered.

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

April 11, 2025

Action slows in the Senate

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Budget
House Bills 2 through 4, 6 through 14 and House Bill 17 have been assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee. However, the Committee has not yet conducted hearings on the bills.

Legislative Chambers
One hundred thirty-three (133) bills have been third read in the House and sent to the Senate for consideration. These include HB 176, sponsored by Rep. Parker, which addressed many of The Missouri Bar’s priorities, and was summarized in last week’s Legislative Update. Members also should be aware that HB 68, modifying the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from five to two years, HB 437, modifying provisions relating to settlement demands, and HB 615, modifying and establishing provision relating to judicial proceedings, also have been third read in the House.

The Senate has sent fifty legislative items to the House for consideration.

One additional bill, SB 47, has been Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed. Sponsored by Sen. Trent, the bill amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions.

Committee Hearings of Interest

SENATE

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Apr. 7, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 225 (Myers) Modifies provisions relating to law enforcement practices

In Support: Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, St. Louis County, Missouri Police Chiefs Association
In Opposition: John Stambaugh – puts general public in danger

HCS HBs 799, 334, 424 & 1069 (Baker), Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicles

In Support: ABATE, Carvana
In Opposition: none

SB 711 (Nicola), Provides that motorcycles may use any color auxiliary lighting, rather than only amber and white

In Support: ABATE, Freedom of the Road Riders
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 142 (Schroer) Creates the Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

SB 162 (Schnelting), Enacts provisions relating to the use of passing lanes

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 363 (Brown - 26) Modifies provisions relating to self-defense

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

SCS SB 715 (Gregory -21), Modifies provisions relating to port authorities

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Apr. 8, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

SB 559 (Burger), Provides sovereign immunity for private contractors acting within the scope of a government contract

In Support: Missouri Asphalt Pavement Association, Casey Castrop, Magruder Paving, Associated General Contractors of Missouri, American Council of Engineering Companies, Farmer Holding Companies
In Opposition: Randy Alberhasky - personal injury lawyer
For Informational Purposes: Municipal League – Metro St. Louis

SB 826 (Gregory - 21) Modifies provisions relating to determinations of fault in tort actions

In Support: Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Asphalt Pavement Association, Ricketts Farm Service, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Magruder Companies, Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Associated General Contractors
In Opposition: Randy Alberhasky - personal injury lawyer

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Apr. 9, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 598 (Gregory - 15), Modifies provisions relating to the disclosure of vital records

In Support: Department of Health & Senior Services
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff

SB 263 (Mosley), Establishes the Cancer Patients' Bill of Rights

In Support: Dr. Nicole Robinson, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: David Barnes

HCS HBs 177 & 469 (Parker), Modifies MO HealthNet coverage of hearing instruments

In Support: Dr. Kathleen Sinks, Julia Biedenstein, Missouri Speech - Language - Hearing Association, REACH Healthcare Foundation
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 943 (Peters), Modifies provisions relating to health care

In Support: Missouri Pharmacy Association, Centurion, Missouri Assisted Living Association, Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri Speech - Language - Hearing Association, Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Arnie Dienoff, Transitions for Senior Living, Missouri Emergency Nurses Association, Haleon, Missouri Healthcare Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, University of Missouri Healthcare, Senior Care Authority, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
In Opposition: ArmorVine, A Place for Mom, Caring, Liberty Link Missouri

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Apr. 9, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 354 (Black), Modifies provisions relating to the inhalation of substances

In Support: Timothy Faber
In Opposition: none

SB 453 (Trent), Modifies provisions relating to offenses involving the judiciary

In Support: Judicial Conference of Missouri
In Opposition: none

SB 667 (Henderson), Modifies provisions relating to workers' compensation

In Support: Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Associated Industries
In Opposition: none

SB 805 (Nurrenbern), Modifies provisions relating to child custody

In Support: Retired Judge Margaret Donnelly, Lara Underwood, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Timothy Faber
In Opposition: none

HCS HB 1464 (Lewis), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of vulnerable persons

In Support: Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, Municipal League of Metro St. Louis, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, Child Advocacy Center, Missouri Municipal League, Magnolia Ministry, Missouri Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation
In Opposition: none

SB 809 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to juvenile detention centers

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Apr. 10.

If you wish to make a comment regarding the efficiency of state government, the Portal is available for your use.

HOUSE

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Apr. 7, and held public hearings on bills that are not of interest to members of The Missouri Bar. However, in executive session, the Committee took the following action:

HB 400 (Amato), Modifies provisions relating to unlawful occupancy on private noncommercial property

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 1

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Apr. 8, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 409 (Sharpe - 4), Adds the definition of "access to children" as it relates to residential care facilities

In Support: Show Me Christian Youth Homes
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 483 (Hausman), Authorizes a reduced sales tax for the purchase of diapers, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and certain vitamins

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Local Government met on Apr. 9, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 1572 (Diehl), Authorizes the city of Nevada to impose a sales tax for public safety

In Support: City of Nevada
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Apr. 9, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 481 (Hausman), Modifies and establishes provisions relating to the protection of children

In Support: none
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff

Electronic Forms

HB 294 (Barnes), Changes the age when a person may be excused from serving on a petit and grand jury

In Support: AARP, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 124 (Veit), Repeals the expiration date of funding of basic civil legal services for certain persons

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 1

HB 663 (Keathley), Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and subregulatory documents

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 0

HCS HB 882 (Oehlerking), Prohibits a person who is on the sexual offender registry from changing his or her name

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 0

HB 1169 (Hovis), Establishes provisions relating to post-conviction relief to set aside a sentence of death

Do Pass by a vote of 8 to 4

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Apr. 9 and held a public hearing on the following:

HJR 73 (Lewis), Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing provisions relating to reproductive health care

In Support: Missouri Right to Life, Mary Browning, Adrianna Camp, Campaign Life Missouri
In Opposition: American Atheist Association, Susan Hudson, Denise Gelina, Kate Hopkins, Sarah Helen Johnson, Jen Burstein, Savannah Saddler, Cammie Storm, Anna Chipingale, Julie Carrol, Stevie Miller, Ken Dunson, Evonne Sevelle, Carin Erlin, Karen Pasley, Julie Peterson, Allie Zedell, Catherine Weeks, Karen Burns-Meyer, Cathy Urban, Betsy Vanderheyden, Jane DeCampo, Allissa Moore, Evan Prost, Annalee Hill, Melanie Montambo, Nancy O’Brian, Oneta Templeton, Lori Rooney, Geri Hyle, Carla Gilmore, Steve Perry, Jan Hyle-Reef, Kevin Richardson, Rachel Cullen, Jacob Kempin, Andrew Atwell, Leslie Catherine Ortbals, Cheryl Barbara, Page Dalrimple, Rebecca Rhymer, Marie Carlson, Carl Trey, Abigail Herndon, Doug Mann, Hannah Elsaka, Stephanie Callous, Sally Herbold, Doris O’Hare, Alex, Marta Weiss, Sadie Tibido, Renee Carter, Riley Coy, Kaylee Coy, Sydney Coffee, Beth Noonan, Gayle Salsbury, Doug Carroll, Luke Jenson, Mary Alice Williams, Lydia Steinpower, Mallory Schwarz

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HJR 73 (Lewis), Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing provisions relating to reproductive health care

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 3

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Apr. 9, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 60 (Carter), Modifies the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

HBs 1420 and 527 were heard together

HB 1420 (Mayhew), Establishes the "Auto Theft Prevention Program" within the department of public safety

Electronic Forms

HB 527 (Butz), Establishes the "Auto Theft Prevention Commission"

Electronic Forms

In Support: National Insurance Crime Bureau, Enterprise, Missouri Insurance Coalition
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Missouri State Highway Patrol

HB 901 (Murray), Creates provisions relating to workplace security for health care professionals

In Support: Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

HB 1408 (Kimble), Allows firefighters to initiate the towing of vehicles in order to clear an accident scene

In Support: City of St. Louis
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 365 (Amato), Modifies provisions relating to line of duty compensation awards

Do Pass by a vote of 15 to 0

HCS HB 401 (Amato), Modifies the time limitations for prosecutions for abuse or neglect of a child

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0, and two members voting present

HB 1374 (Cook), Modifies provisions relating to self-defense

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 6

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Apr. 9, and took the following action in executive session:

HCS HBs 434 & 459 (Hardwick), Establishes the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act"

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 4

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

April 4, 2025

The Missouri House had adopted all budget bills, and sent them to the Senate for consideration

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Budget
The House has third read all appropriations bills, and made its recommendations known to the Senate. HB 12 details funding for the Judiciary and the Office of the Public Defender. All budget bills are available on the House website.

Legislative Chambers
The Senate adjourned early, and will convene again on Monday, Apr. 7. To date, the Senate has sent 48 pieces of legislation to the House for its consideration. SB 47, sponsored by Senator Trent, amending Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions, is on the House Calendar Senate Bills for Third Reading.

The House has third read 108 bills, including all appropriations bills, and sent them to the Senate for its consideration. One, of major interest to members of The Missouri Bar, is HCS HB 176, sponsored by Representative Parker. A most comprehensive bill, it includes provisions addressing

the Missouri Uniform Trust Code,
the Missouri Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act,
changes of attorneys in Workers' Compensation cases,
complaints, discipline and removal of Administrative Law Judges, and their payment and retirement benefits,
Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents,
funding basic civil legal services for low-income persons,
Mental Health treatment courts,
compensation of jurors,
exclusions of personal information in court documents, and
the Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act.

Committee Hearings of Interest

SENATE

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Mar. 31.

If you wish to make a comment regarding the efficiency of state government, the Portal is available for your use.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Mar. 31, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 142 (Schroer) Creates the Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act

In Support: Missouri Firearms Coalition, Susan Myers
In Opposition: none

SB 669 (Gregory - 15), Creates the offense of interference with a first responder

In Support: Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, Ambulance District Association of Missouri, Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri Police Chiefs Association
In Opposition: none

SB 715 (Gregory -21), Modifies provisions relating to port authorities

In Support: Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Missouri Port Authority Association, JE Dunn
In Opposition: ArmorVine

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS HCS HB 247 (Bromley), Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicle registration

Do Pass by a vote of 7 to 0

SCS HB 810 (Baker), Designates "Lloyd Memorial Highway" in Newton County

Do Pass by a vote of 7 to 0

Do Pass Consent by a vote of 7 to 0

HCS HBs 296 & 438 (Kalberloh), Modifies provisions relating to school bus endorsements

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 1

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Apr. 1, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

SBs 648 and 661 were heard together

SB 648 (Trent), Establishes the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, which provides for the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression

SB 661 (Williams), Establishes the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, which provides for the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression

In Support: Arts K.C., Music Artists Coalition, Free Our Art Coalition, Missouri Citizens for the Arts, The Arts Asylum
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

SB 717 (Trent), Removes availability of attorney fees under the Missouri Human Rights Act when a public employer is involved

In Support: Attorney General's Office
In Opposition: Civil Rights Lawyers: Eric Playter & Mark Jess, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Apr. 2, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 121 (Murphy), Modifies the "Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002"

In Support: Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, Fire Service Alliance, Missouri Catholic Conference
In Opposition: none

HCS HBs 243 & 280 (Williams), Modifies provisions relating to dissolution of marriage or legal separation and pregnancy status

In Support: Abortion Action Missouri, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Rape and Abuse Crisis Service of Jefferson City, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
In Opposition: none

SJR 57 (Fitzwater), Creates provisions relating to gender

In Support: Missouri Catholic Conference, Attorney General's Office
In Opposition: Charlie Adams, Jennifer Pepper, Ben Greene, Heather Walter-McCabe - a SLU professor, Abortion Action Missouri, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, PROMO, Missouri Equity Education Partnership

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Apr. 2, and held public hearings on the following:

HCS HB 87 (Griffith), Modifies provisions relating to driving while intoxicated

In Support: Tina Woehr, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, SAFE Coalition
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

HCS HB 615 (Coleman), Modifies provisions relating to judicial proceedings

In Support: Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
In Opposition: T.J. Kirsch - Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

HCS HBs 971, 293 & 978 (Williams), Creates the offense of unlawful tracking of a motor vehicle

In Support: Representative Strickler, Melanie Williamson, Nick Brand
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Insurance Coalition

HCS HB 1259 (Hardwick), Modifies provisions relating to civil jurisprudence

In Support: Paul Vogel, The Missouri Bar, John Challis, Trust & Will
In Opposition: none

SB 691 (May), Modifies provisions relating to the redaction of certain information on court records

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 718 (Roberts), Creates provisions relating to the use of restraints on a child in juvenile court

In Support: Daniel Feldman
In Opposition: none

SB 794 (Brattin), Modifies provisions relating to judicial proceedings, including intervention in actions involving abortion and the composition of the Western and Southern Districts of the Court of Appeals

In Support: Sam Lee, Missouri Right to Life, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 589 (Hudson), Modifies provisions relating to civil actions for childhood sexual abuse, including the statute of limitations for such actions

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 590 (Hudson), Modifies provisions relating to childhood sexual abuse actions, including the application of nondisclosure agreements in such actions

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

SB 378 (Moseley), Creates provisions relating to oversight of Department of Corrections facilities

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate General Laws Committee met in executive session on Apr. 2, and took the following action:

SCS SBs 661&648 (Trent), Establishes the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, which provides for the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

HB 68 (Overcast), Modifies the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from five years to two years

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

SCS HB 834 (Farnan), Modifies provisions relating to professional registration

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

HOUSE

The House Committee on Children and Families met in executive session on Mar. 31, and took the following action:

HCS HJR 54 (Stinett), Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing provisions relating to reproductive health care

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 5

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Mar. 31, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 400 (Amato), Modifies provisions relating to unlawful occupancy on private noncommercial property

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 1389 & 1040 (Keathley), Establishes provisions relating to the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 1

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Apr. 1, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1227 (Schmidt), Modifies provisions relating to health screenings for a child taken into the custody of the children's division

In Support: Kids Win Missouri, Burrell Behavioral Health
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

HB 483 (Hausman), Authorizes a reduced sales tax for the purchase of diapers, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and certain vitamins

In Support: Haleon, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Kids Win Missouri, Missouri Catholic Conference, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

SB 66 (McCreery), Modifies provisions relating to the age of marriage

In Support: Unchained At Last, AHA Foundation, Holly Thompson Rehder, Lauren Van Wagoner, Presley Van Wagoner, Sheena Eastburn, Brandi Dredge, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: MOST Policy Initiative

Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Apr. 1, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

SB 167 (Gregory - 21), Modifies provisions relating to the offense of hazing

In Support: Mizzou Greek Alliance
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Financial Institutions met in executive session on Apr. 2, and took action on the following

SB 98 Crawford), Creates the offense of financial institution accounts fraud

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Apr. 2, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 43 (Fitzwater), Modifies provisions relating to child protection

In Support: Familyforward, BJC Healthcare Systems, Brightli, CoxHealth, Children's Permanency Partnership, Jamie Skinner, Enough Abuse, Missouri Coalition for Children, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, Missouri Appleseed
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff
For Informational Purposes: Department of Social Services

Electronic Forms

SB 218 (Black), Modifies the provisions relating to the establishment of treatment courts by providing for a mental health treatment court

In Support: Judicial Conference of Missouri, Arnie Dienoff, REACH Healthcare Foundation
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

SB 221 (Schroer), Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and subregulatory documents

In Support: Associated Industries, Arnie Dienoff, Americans for Prosperity
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes:

Electronic Forms

HB 663 (Keathley), Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and subregulatory documents

In Support: Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes:

Electronic Forms

HB 882 (Oehlerking), Prohibits a person who is on the sexual offender registry from changing his or her name

In Support: Missouri Alliance for Family Restoration, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

Electronic Forms 4-2

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 1531 & 931 (Dolan), Allows graduates of certain programs to petition the court for limited driving privileges

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0

HCS HB 179 (Parker), Modifies the definition of "reasonable fees and expenses" as it relates to administrative proceedings or civil actions arising from administrative proceedings

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 0

HCS HB 756 (Pouche), Changes provisions governing the compensation of circuit clerks

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 1

HB 263 (Hovis), Modifies provisions relating to expert witnesses

Do NOT Pass by a vote of 6 to 6

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Apr. 2, and held public hearings on the following

HB 365 (Amato), Modifies provisions relating to line of duty compensation awards

In Support: Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, Fire Service Alliance, Missouri Ambulance Association
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

HB 1045 (Keathley), Modifies the offense of murder in the first degree

In Support: none
In Opposition: Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty

Electronic Forms

HB 1374 (Cook), Modifies provisions relating to self-defense

In Support: none
In Opposition: Missouri Conference of the NAACP

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 591 (West), Modifies provisions relating to reporting requirements of law enforcement agencies

Do Pass by a vote of 17 to 0

HB 601 (Lucas), Establishes laws relating to an enhanced sentence for wearing face or body coverings during the commission of an offense

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 6

HB 1489 (Vernetti), Modifies provisions relating to enforcement of laws relating the use of electronic communication devices

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 1

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met on Apr. 2, and held public hearings on the following:

HBs 603, 729 & 774 were heard together

HB 603 (Lucas), Establishes the "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman" and provisions relating to department of corrections oversight

Electronic Forms

HB 729 (Collins), Establishes the "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman"

Electronic Forms

HB 774 (Allen), Establishes the "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman" and provisions relating to department of corrections oversight

Electronic Forms

In Support: FAMM.org, Orville McDonald, Show Me Justice for All, Tammy Reid, Justice for All, Breaking Generational Poverty, Nicole Barrows, Erica Williams, Creative Innovative, St. Louis City NAACP, Missouri Prison Reform, Laura Birdsong, Missouri Justice Coalition, Tabatha Beltrop, Missouri Appleseed, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, Empower Missouri
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Arnie Dienoff

HBs 847 & 790 were heard together

HB 847 (Anderson), Modifies provisions for voter qualifications

Electronic Forms

HB 790 (Collins), Modifies provisions for voter qualifications

Electronic Forms

In Support: Missouri Conference of the NAACP, Breaking Generational Poverty, Creative Innovative, St. Louis City NAACP, Erica Williams, Justice for All, Show Me Justice for All, Secure Democracy USA, Rashida Corals, Missouri Appleseed, Jefferson City NAACP, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 617, 847 & 790 (Stinnett), Restores voting rights to individuals on probation and parole

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

March 28, 2025

Governor Kehoe Signs HB 495 into Law

The Governor was joined by the sponsors of the bill - Representative Brad Christ, and Senators Nick Schroer and Travis Fitzwater. Governor Kehoe thanked the General Assembly for prioritizing public safety. He stated the bill establishes a citizen board to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and benefits Missouri law enforcement by providing the tools they need to crack down on crime and illegal immigration.

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Budget
The House Budget Committee has made its recommendations for appropriations to state agencies. According to Speaker Patterson, the Budget bills will be perfected in the House on Tuesday and third read on Thursday. The budget will then be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

Legislative Chambers
To date, the House has third read 75 bills. Notably, HB 176, a Missouri Bar priority sponsored by Representative Cameron Parker and dealing with electronic estate planning, has been perfected. An amendment offered by Representative Rudy Veit that includes the Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act, was adopted. This bill is now on the House Calendar for Third Reading.

The Senate has transmitted nearly 50 pieces of legislation to the House.

Committee Hearings of Interest

Senate

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Mar. 24, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 363 (Brown - 26) Modifies provisions relating to self-defense

In Support: Missouri Firearms Coalition, Susan Myers
In Opposition: Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

HCS HB 247 (Bromley), Modifies provisions relating to motor vehicle registration

In Support: Carvana
In Opposition: Missouri County Collectors Association, Joshua Speakman - Stoddard County Collector, David Brodersen - Benton County Collector,
For Informational Purposes: Missouri State Assessors Association, Missouri Association of License Offices, Missouri Association of Counties

HB 810 (Baker), Designates "Lloyd Memorial Highway" in Newton County

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

HCS HBs 296 & 438 (Kalberloh), Modifies provisions relating to school bus endorsements

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 162 (Schnelting), Enacts provisions relating to the use of passing lanes

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 173 (Webber), Creates provisions relating to grants for nonprofit organizations at risk for terrorist attacks

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 254 (Bean), Specifies that drivers shall stop at railroad crossings for "any on-track equipment" in addition to trains

Failed by a vote of 2 to 2

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Mar. 24.

If you wish to make a comment regarding the efficiency of state government, the Portal is available for your use.

The Senate Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee met on Mar. 25, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

SB 143 (Schroer), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

In Support: LJ Hart & Company, Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri State Troopers Association, Ambulance District Association of Missouri, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, Haleon, Centurion, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, St. Louis County
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff, Voyce, Robertson Fire Protection District, Mehlville Fire Protection District, German Gonzalez Herrera - Immigration Attorney, Immigrant Home English Learning Program, Missouri Immigration Policy Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri,

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Mar. 26, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 356 (Black), Establishes the Designated Health Care Decision-Maker Act, which authorizes certain persons to make health care decisions for certain incapacitated persons

In Support: MOSAIC Life Care, Leading Age Missouri, Campaign Life Missouri
In Opposition: none

SB 520 (Carter), Creates provisions relating to hospitals with emergency departments

In Support: Missouri College of Emergency Physicians, Missouri State Medical Association, Armorvine, Thomas Ross
In Opposition: Missouri Hospital Association

SB 525 (Schnelting), Establishes a registration process for certain children's homes

In Support: Show Me Christian Youth Home, Katrina Woods, Shiloh
In Opposition: Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, Children's Trust Fund

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SB 149 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to food labeling

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0, with one member voting present

SCS SB 178 (Lewis), Modifies provisions relating to health care

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SCS SB 336 (Moon), Modifies provisions relating to hospital price transparency laws

Do Not Pass by a vote of 2 to 2

SB 519 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to the amount of prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists during emergency periods

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Mar. 26, and held public hearings on the following:

SBs 589 and 590 were heard together

SB 589 (Hudson), Modifies provisions relating to civil actions for childhood sexual abuse, including the statute of limitations for such actions

SB 590 (Hudson), Modifies provisions relating to childhood sexual abuse actions, including the application of nondisclosure agreements in such actions

In Support: Elizabeth Phillips (sister of deceased Kanakuk victim), Children's Justice Campaign, Maggie Cyrid, Elizabeth Herder, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence; Victims: Keith Taggert, John Hobbs, Tammy Woods, Jodi Jones, Deborah Perkins, Gracia, Greg Handell, Nicole, Sarah Markman, Jennifer Roberts
In Opposition: Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, American Tort Reform Association, Missouri Insurance Coalition, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry (589 only)

SB 411 and 604 were heard together

SB 411 (Fitzwater), Establishes provisions relating to the civil and criminal liability of disclosure of intimate digital depictions

SB 604 (McCreery), Creates the offense of disclosure of an intimate digital depiction

In Support: Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
In Opposition: none

SB 378 (Moseley), Creates provisions relating to oversight of Department of Corrections facilities

In Support: Maria Miller, Erica Jones, Paulette Pie, Empower Missouri, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 340 (Roberts), Repeals provisions relating to the caseload of public defenders

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 503 (Henderson), Establishes the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, which provides procedures for dismissal of causes of action based on public expression in public proceedings or on matters of public concern

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 1

SB 562 (Gregory - 15), Modifies provisions relating to spousal support and child support orders

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

SCS SBs 391 & 355 (Schroer) Repeals the expiration date for the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

SB 531 (Schroer), Modifies the offense of murder in the first degree

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

SCS SB 353 & 434 (Trent), Creates a DWI diversion program

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Mar. 26, and held public hearings bills that included the following:

HB 68 (Overcast), Modifies provisions relating to statutes of limitations for certain civil actions

In Support: Missouri Retailers Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri Farm Bureau, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, National Federation of Independent Business, Missouri Grocers Association, Missouri Retailers Association, Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association, Big Elk Floats and Camping LLC, Missouri Association of Campgrounds and RV Parks, Ford Motor Company, Missouri Association of Insurance Agents, Missouri Insurance Coalition, Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, American Tort Reform Association, Campground/Canoe Industries, State Farm Insurance Company
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 289 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to estate planning, including notice for principal place of administration transfers, statutes of limitations for actions against trustees, electronic wills, and estate planning during the COVID-19 emergency

Do Pass by a vote of 7 to 0

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Mar. 27, to hear a presentation from the Department of Transportation regarding the State Road Fund.

House

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Mar. 24, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HBs 1389 and 1040 were heard together

HB 1389 (Keathley), Establishes provisions relating to the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression

Electronic Forms

HB 1040 (Johnson), Establishes provisions relating to the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression

In Support: Free Our Art, Music Artists Coalition
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 1524 & 1580 (Casteel), Enacts provisions authorizing an entertainment district

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 0

HCS SS SCS SBs 81 & 174 (Gregory - 21), Modifies provisions relating to fireworks protections

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Mar.25, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 637 (Matthiesen), Requires the office of childhood to design, develop, and distribute placards that include a QR code containing a link to a child care facility's inspection reports

In Support: Aimee Robertson - First Steps Provider
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Electronic Forms

HB 1376 (Schmidt), Establishes the "Zero-Cost Adoption Fund Act" which establishes a fund to offset costs associated with adoption and a tax credit for any person who contributes to the fund

In Support: Missouri Right to Life, Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Catholic Conference
In Opposition: none

3-11 Electronic Forms

3-25 Electronic Forms

HB 1579 (Amato), Establishes and modifies provisions relating to the adoption of children

In Support: Phil Harms
In Opposition: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Yvonne Reeves Chong, Arnie Dienoff
For Informational Purposes: Campaign Life Missouri

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 927 (Gragg), Establishes provisions relating to fathership

Do Pass by a vote of 15 to 0

HB 1386 (Keathley), Expands provisions governing pilot recovery high schools

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 0

HCS HBs 1012 & 1376 (Christ), Establishes the "Zero-Cost Adoption Fund Act" which establishes a fund to offset costs associated with adoption and a tax credit for any person who contributes to the fund

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Local Government met on Mar. 26, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 1456 (Oehlerking), Modifies provisions relating to the sheriff of the City of St. Louis

In Support: none
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff

Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Mar. 12, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 124 (Veit), Repeals the expiration date of funding of basic civil legal services for certain persons

In Support: Legal Services of Southern Missouri, Mid-Missouri Legal Services, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Mark Rhoads - on behalf of 4 Legal Services of Missouri

Electronic Forms

HB 756 (Pouche), Changes provisions governing the compensation of circuit clerks

In Support: Chariton County Circuit Clerk, Cole County Circuit Clerk
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff

Electronic Forms

HB 989 (Reuter), Establishes the "Missouri Survivors' Act"

In Support: Ellen Flottman, Forward.US, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Empower Missouri, Missouri Appleseed
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Rape and Abuse Crisis Services of Jefferson City

Electronic Forms

HBs 1531 and 931 were heard together

HB 1531 (Dolan), Allows graduates of certain programs to petition the court for limited driving privileges

Electronic Forms

HB 931 (Smith - 46), Allows graduates of certain programs to petition the court for limited driving privileges

In Support: State Public Defender, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Judicial Conference of Missouri

Electronic Forms

HB 206 (Hinman), Modifies provisions relating to driver's licenses

In Support: Court Administrator - City of O'Fallon, City of Independence Police Department
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff

Electronic Forms

HB 179 (Parker), Modifies the definition of "reasonable fees and expenses" as it relates to administrative proceedings or civil actions arising from administrative proceedings

In Support: The Missouri Bar
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Arnie Dienoff

Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 93 & 1139 (Voss), Adds a circuit judge to the 32nd judicial circuit

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Financial Institutions met Mar. 26, and held public hearings on bills including the following

SB 98 Crawford), Creates the offense of financial institution accounts fraud

In Support: Missouri Bankers Association, Missouri Credit Union Association
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Mar. 26, and held public hearings on the following

HB 401 (Amato), Modifies the time limitations for prosecutions for abuse or neglect of a child

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

HB 591 (West), Modifies provisions relating to reporting requirements of law enforcement agencies

In Support: Niskanen Center, Council of State Governments Justice Center, Empower Missouri
In Opposition:

Electronic Forms

HB 1489 (Vernetti), Modifies provisions relating to enforcement of laws relating the use of electronic communication devices

In Support: Chief Scott Craig - Sunrise Beach Police Department
In Opposition: none

Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met Mar. 26, and held public hearings on bills that were not of interest to members of The Missouri Bar. However, in executive session, the Committee took the following action:

HB 492 (Van Schoiack), Authorizes expansion of regional jail districts upon voter approval

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 1

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

March 14, 2025

The General Assembly had a productive week

There will be no Legislative Update next week as the General Assembly will be on mid-session break and no legislative business will be conducted.

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative Chambers
The House has sent 53 bills to the Senate for its consideration. Among those is HB 1259, which now includes 4 of The Missouri Bar's priority bills. These are as follow:

HB 83 (Veit) HB 180 (Parker), Establishment of the "Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act."

HB 83 (Veit) HB 178 (Parker), Confirmation that temporary suspension of physical appearance requirements will be deemed to have satisfied the physical presence requirements regarding estate planning documents executed during a state of emergency due to COVID-19 (April 6, 2020, through December 31, 2021).

HB 180 (Parker), Trust Situs, regarding an explanation that a change in the place of administration may result in a change of governing law.

HB 180 (Parker), Trust Termination, regarding a beneficiary proceeding against a trustee for breach of trust.

The Senate has sent nearly forty pieces of legislation to the House for consideration. Of note, the Senate General Laws Committee voted SB 246 (Crawford), Establishes the Missouri Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act, which modifies provisions relating to trust and estate administration and is also one of The Missouri Bar's priorities Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2. That bill will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

To date, three bills have been Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed, and sent to the Governor for his consideration. They are HB 14, the supplemental appropriations bill, SB 4, which addresses utilities and HB 495, which is the omnibus public safety bill and includes the state's involvement with the St. Louis Police Commission, which was addressed in last week's update.

Committee Hearings of Interest

Senate

The Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee met on Mar.10, and held public hearings on bills including the following: (Hudson), Modifies provisions relating to law enforcement sales taxes

In Support: Ozark County Sheriff
In Opposition: none

SB 530 (Crawford), Modifies the compensation of circuit clerks

In Support: Circuit Clerk Chariton County, Circuit Clerk Polk County, Missouri Circuit Clerks Association
In Opposition: none

The Senate General Laws Committee met in executive session on Mar. 10, and took the following actions:

SB 244 (Crawford), Modifies provisions relating to hospital investments and service areas

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

HCS HB 75 (Loy), Establishes the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act"

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

SCS SB 231 (Brown - 26), Modifies provisions relating to tobacco product regulations

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

SB 246 (Crawford), Establishes the Missouri Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act, which modifies provisions relating to trust and estate administration

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Mar. 10, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 254 (Bean), Specifies that drivers shall stop at railroad crossings for "any on-track equipment" in addition to trains

In Support: Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees - International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Railroad Association

SB 173 (Webber), Creates provisions relating to grants for nonprofit organizations at risk for terrorist attacks

In Support: Anti-Defamation League
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 41 (Mosley), Creates the CTF Medical Alert System

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 125 (Roberts), Modifies eligibility for appropriations from the Waterways and Ports Trust Fund

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

Do Pass Consent by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 192 (May), Modifies provisions relating to the sheriff of St. Louis City

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 500 (Schroer), Designates "President Donald J Trump Highway" in St. Charles County

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

SCS SB 504 & 422 (Black), Designates "Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge" in Jackson County

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Mar. 10.

If you wish to make a comment regarding the efficiency of state government, the Portal is available for your use.

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Mar. 11, and held public hearings bills that were of no interest to members of The Missouri Bar. However, in executive session, the committee took the following actions:

SB 238 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to expert testimony

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 1

SJR 40 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to sheriffs

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

SB 507 (Schroer), Provides that counties and cities shall not enact, maintain, or enforce certain ordinances relating to landlords and tenants

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 0

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Mar. 11, to hear HCS HB 14 (Deaton) which, as adopted by the House, included no supplemental appropriations for the Office of the Public Defender or the Judiciary. The bill was voted Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0 in the Senate Committee.

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Mar. 12, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 336 (Moon), Modifies provisions relating to hospital price transparency laws

In Support: America's Health Insurance Plans, Missouri Insurance Coalition
In Opposition: Missouri Hospital Association, SSM Health, St. Lukes Health System, University of Missouri Healthcare, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare

SB 519 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to the amount of prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists during emergency periods

In Support: Missouri Pharmacy Association, Rx Outreach, Walgreens,
In Opposition: Missouri State Medical Association

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 100 (Cierpiot), Modifies provisions relating to amending birth certificates

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 2

SCS SB 90 (Webber), Modifies provisions relating to alternative therapies and treatments, including psilocybin

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Mar. 12, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 262 (Mosley), Modifies provisions relating to child custody

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 340 (Roberts), Repeals provisions relating to the caseload of public defenders

In Support: American Civil Liberties Union
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Office of the Public Defender

SB 495 (Schroer), Creates provisions relating to reporting requirements of prosecuting attorneys

In Support: Freedom Principle Missouri, FGA Action
In Opposition: none

SB 503 (Henderson), Establishes the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, which provides procedures for dismissal of causes of action based on public expression in public proceedings or on matters of public concern

In Support: Missouri Right to Life, Missouri Press Association, Institute for Free Speech, Missouri Broadcaster's Association
In Opposition: none

SB 538 (Schroer), Modifies the offense of stealing

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 562 (Gregory - 15), Modifies provisions relating to spousal support and child support orders

In Support: Gary Stamper - attorney, Brent Kurasiuk
In Opposition: none

SB 355 & SB 391 were heard together

SB 355 (Black), Repeals the expiration date for the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund

SB 391 (Schroer) Repeals the expiration date for the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund

In Support: Legal Services of Western Missouri, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Services of Southern Missouri, Mid Missouri Legal Aid Services, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 18 (May), Allows the circuit court of St. Louis City to collect a civil case filing fee of an amount not to exceed $20, rather than $15, for certain uses, including the maintenance of a law library

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 235 (Henderson), Creates "Bentley's Law" relating to child maintenance orders for certain persons convicted of the offense of driving while intoxicated

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 288 (Henderson), Increases the number of associate circuit judges in St. Francois County in the 24th Judicial District

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 447 (Trent), Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 558 (Burger), Increases the number of circuit judges in the 32nd Judicial Circuit

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 506 (Schroer), Amends Supreme Court Rule 15.05 relating to continuing legal education requirements for lawyers

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 2

House

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Mar. 10, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

SB 47 (Trent), Amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions

In Support: American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, American Tort Reform Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri, Diamond Pet Foods
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1514 and HB 1525 were heard together

HB 1514 (Hinman), Creates the "First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide free college tuition for first responders and their legal dependents
Electronic Forms

HB 1525 (Christ), Creates the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide free college tuition for public safety personnel

In Support: Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters; Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Mo. IAFF Local 2665, Missouri Community College Association, Council on Public Higher Education, St. Louis County Police Department, Missouri Ambulance Association, University of Missouri System
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 134 (Costlow), Establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Nonprofit Safety and Security"

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0, with one member voting present

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Mar. 11, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1012 (Christ), Establishes the "Zero-Cost Adoption Fund Act" which establishes a fund to offset costs associated with adoption and a tax credit for any person who contributes to the fund

In Support: Campaign Life Missouri, Foster Adopt Connect, Missouri Right to Life, Missouri Coalition for Children
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1376 (Schmidt), Establishes the "Zero-Cost Adoption Fund Act" which establishes a fund to offset costs associated with adoption and a tax credit for any person who contributes to the fund

The sponsor was ill; therefore, the bill was not presented. Rep. Christ stated that he had been working with Rep. Schmidt, and if they were fortunate enough to have the bills heard in executive session, the bills would be combined.
Electronic Forms

HB 1386 (Keathley), Expands provisions governing pilot recovery high schools

In Support: Jordan De Walle, Brady Lindsey, Jack Kintz, Dr. Tiph Jones, Missouri NEA, Melissa Mouton, Debbie Cochoran,
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff
For Informational Purposes:
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 835 (Farnan), Adds provisions relating to in-home licensed child-care facilities

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 2

HCS HB 1148 (Byrnes), Creates provisions relating to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 1

HCS HB 1197 (Baker), Establishes immunity from civil liability for certain actions taken by private schools related to access to restrooms or changing areas

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0

HJR 26 (Hausman), Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to certain sexual offenses involving children

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing met on Mar. 12, and held a public hearings on bills dealing with physicians and optometry. However, in executive session, the Committee took the following action:

HB 992 (Myers), Modifies provisions relating to criminal history background checks

Do Pass by a vote of 20 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Mar. 12, and held public hearings on bills that were not of interest to members of The Missouri Bar. However, the Committee voted on the following bills of interest in executive session:

SS SCS SB 47 (Trent), Amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions

Do pass by a vote of 8 to 0 with two voting present

HCS HBs 1514,1525 & 1527 (Hinman), Creates the "First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide free college tuition for first responders and their legal dependents

Do pass by a vote of 10 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Mar. 12, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 348 (Reuter), Creates a special surcharge in civil cases for construction of a new courthouse in the twenty-third judicial circuit

In Support: Jeff Roorda, Dan Shaul
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1169 (Hovis), Establishes provisions relating to postconviction relief to set aside a sentence of death

In Support: Attorney General's Office, Traci Duncan for Diana Mosier
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 82 (Griffith), Modifies provisions relating to treatment courts

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0

HB 1399 (Justus), Modifies a provision relating to presentence investigations

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 1

HCS HB 1457 (Hinman), Modifies provisions relating to judicial security

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Mar. 12, and held public hearings on the following

HB 601 (Lucas), Establishes laws relating to an enhanced sentence for wearing face or body coverings during the commission of an offense

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 1065 (Parker), Modifies provisions relating to Missouri state highway patrol salary increases

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0

HB 728 (Collins), Modifies provisions relating to good time credit

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met Mar. 12, and held public hearings on bills including the following

HB 492 (Van Schoiack), Authorizes expansion of regional jail districts upon voter approval

In Support: LJ Hart & Company
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met in executive session on Mar. 13 and took the following actions on bills including:

HCS HB 234 (Gallick), Modifies the offense of hazing

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 0

HB 738 (Gallick), Creates provisions relating to an exemption from liability for persons rendering emergency care at the scene of an accident or other emergency

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

March 7, 2025

The Governor moves one step closer to achieving one of his priorities – state involvement in selection of the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative Chambers
After nearly 10 hours of debate, the Senate acquiesced in the adoption of HCS#2 HB 495. However, the move was not without compromise. The Senate's language included the new board having six members, with one being the mayor. The five others (one-non-voting) will be appointed by the Governor and will be subject to Senate confirmation. Originally, the board would have consisted of five commissioners, one being the mayor and with up to four citizen commissioners appointed from names submitted by the St. Louis Police Officers' Association and the Ethical Society of Police. The Governor will no longer be given a panel from the police unions. The language in the House version setting the number of officers and their specific rank to make up the police forces was dropped. Numbers and ranks are now at the discretion of the Board. The language in the House version stating that a person commits the offense of rioting (a class D felony) if he or she knowingly assembles with six or more other persons and violates any criminal laws of Missouri, or the United States, also was removed.

To date, the House has third read 28 bills. The Senate has sent 36 pieces of legislation to the House for its consideration.

Committee Hearings of Interest

Senate

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Mar. 3.

If you wish to make a comment regarding the efficiency of state government, the Portal is available for your use.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Mar. 3, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 504 and SB 422 were heard together.

SB 504 (Black), Designates "Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge" in Jackson County

SB 422 (Washington), Designates "Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge" in Jackson County

In Support: Monique Guerrero, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police
In Opposition: none

SB 500 and SB 321 were heard together

SB 500 (Schroer), Designates "President Donald J Trump Highway" in St. Charles County

SB 321 (Coleman), Designates portions of the state highway system as "Donald J Trump Highway"

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 296 (Brattin), Enacts "The Foreign Unmanned Aircraft Law"

In Support: State Shield, State Armor Action
In Opposition: National Law Enforcement Drone Association, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, Branson Police & Fire, High Ridge Fire Protection District, Boone County Fire Protection District, Missouri Task Force One, Monarch Fire Protection District, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Maryland Heights Fire Protection District, St Louis County Special Operations Team, Washington Fire Department, Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities, Kansas City Fire Department, City of Kansas City, Pettis County Sheriff's Office, City of Independence, Camden County Sheriff's Office, Cape Girardeau County, Fire Service Alliance, Missouri Sheriffs United, Missouri Society of Professional Land Surveyors

SB 192 (May), Modifies provisions relating to the sheriff of St. Louis City

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 358 (Schroer), Creates "The Freedom 13 Organization" special license plates

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SCS HCS # 2 HB 495 (Christ), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Mar. 4, and held public hearings on a number of bills, none of which were of interest to members of The Missouri Bar, nor were any bills of potential interest to members taken up in executive session.

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Mar. 5, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 100 (Cierpiot), Modifies provisions relating to amending birth certificates

In Support: ArmorVine, Timothy Faber, Liberty Link Missouri
In Opposition: Dr. Sharon Vermont, Jordan Braxton, The Center for Growing Justice, Heather Walter-McCabe, The ACLU of Missouri, Jennifer Pepper, Verity Tatum, Stevie Miller, Jennifer Harper, Cammie Storm, Eleanor DesPres

SB 17 (May), Modifies provisions relating to opioid prescriptions

In Support: Shaman Pharmaceuticals
In Opposition: Mary Cremer

SB 90 (Webber), Modifies provisions relating to alternative therapies and treatments, including psilocybin

In Support: Carl Shepard, Tim Jensen, Grunt Style Foundation, Suzanne Opperman, Midwest Psychedelic Training
In Opposition: Timothy Faber

SB 178 (Lewis), Modifies provisions relating to health care

In Support: Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence, Missouri College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Missouri Family Health Council, Missouri Rural Health Association, Missouri Nurses Association, Empower Missouri, Kids Win Missouri, St. Louis Integrated Health Network, Missouri Hospital Association, National Council of Jewish Women - St. Louis, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, BJC Healthcare Systems, Children's Trust Fund, Reach Healthcare Foundation, St. Louis, National Association of Social Workers, Suzanne Opperman
In Opposition: America's Health Insurance Plans, ArmorVine, Jennifer Anne Parker, Liberty Link Missouri

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SJR 8 (Moon), Defines person in relation to the equal protection of laws

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

SCS SJR 33 (Schnelting), Establishes provisions relating to reproductive health care

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

SCS SJR 43 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to MO HealthNet

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Mar. 5, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 447 (Trent), Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors

In Support: Judicial Conference of Missouri
In Opposition: none

SB 506 (Schroer), Amends Supreme Court Rule 15.05 relating to continuing legal education requirements for lawyers

In Support: the State Treasurer
In Opposition: none

SB 531 (Schroer), Modifies the offense of murder in the first degree

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 558 (Burger), Increases the number of circuit judges in the 32nd Judicial Circuit

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 196 (Moon), Establishes the penalty of death for certain sexual offenses

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

SCS SB 295 (Brattin), Creates the offense of engaging in an adult cabaret performance

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

SCS SB 318 (Schroer), Modifies provisions relating to offenses involving retail theft

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

House

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Mar. 3, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 134 (Costlow), Establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Nonprofit Safety and Security"

In Support: Jewish Federation of St. Louis
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 210 (Van Schoiack), Establishes the "Unmanned Aerial Systems Security Act of 2025"

In Support: State Armor Action
In Opposition: National Law Enforcement Drone Association, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, Branson Police Department, Fire Chief Jefferson County Missouri, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Monarch Fire Protection District, Pettis County Sheriff's Office, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office
For Informational Purposes:
Electronic Forms

HB 1101 (Van Schoiack), Establishes the offense of unlawful use of unmanned aircraft over a crime scene, critical incident, law enforcement tactical operation, or hazardous material site

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: National Law Enforcement Drone Association, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, Pettis County Sheriff's Office, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Mar. 4, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1197 (Baker), Establishes immunity from civil liability for certain actions taken by private schools related to access to restrooms or changing areas

In Support: David Humphreys
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 835 (Farnan), Adds provisions relating to in-home licensed child-care facilities

In Support: none
In Opposition: Kids Win Missouri, Child Care Aware of Missouri, Missouri Affiliate for the National Association of NAACI (Nikki), Missouri Children's Trust Fund
Electronic Forms

HB 1441 (Gragg), Establishes provisions relating to duties of the department of social services

In Support: Mike Ludwig, Chester Adeams Junior Father and Families Support Center, Good Dads
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes:
Electronic Forms

HB 927 (Gragg), Establishes provisions relating to fathership

In Support: ManUp, National Parents' Organization
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes:
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 1025 & 381 (Dolan), Provides that a grandparent shall be given priority if it is in the best interest of the child to be placed in the custody of a third part

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0

HCS HB 1165 (Mayhew), Modifies provisions relating to visitation rights of grandparents

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 2

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Mar. 4, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 234 (Gallick), Modifies the offense of hazing

In Support: Tom Santulli, Mizzou Greek Alliance, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 738 (Gallick), Creates provisions relating to an exemption from liability for persons rendering emergency care at the scene of an accident or other emergency

In Support: Missouri Ambulance Association, Arnie Dienoff, American Heart Association
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing met on Mar. 5, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 992 (Myers), Modifies provisions relating to criminal history background checks

In Support: Missouri State Highway Patrol, Division of Professional Registration
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Mar. 5, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 82 (Griffith), Modifies provisions relating to treatment courts

In Support: Empower Missouri, Criminal Justice Ministry, Recovery Lighthouse, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1139 (Reuter), Adds an associate circuit judge to the 23rd judicial circuit

In Support: Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Circuit Judge for Division 5
Electronic Forms

HB 1145 (Diehl), Modifies provisions relating to unlawful discriminatory employment practices, limiting certain civil remedies

In Support: Attorney General's Office
In Opposition: Eric Playter - attorney, Arnie Dienoff, Blake Markus - attorney, Andrew Hirth - civil rights attorney
Electronic Forms

HB 93 (Voss), Adds a circuit judge to the 32nd judicial circuit

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms - none submitted

HB 1399 (Justus), Modifies a provision relating to presentence investigations

In Support: Sue Ann Klein, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1457 (Hinman), Modifies provisions relating to judicial security

In Support: Court Administrator City of O' Fallon, Missouri Association for Court Administration, Judicial Conference of Missouri
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 709 (Seitz), Modifies provisions relating to nondisclosure agreements in childhood sexual abuse cases

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Mar. 5, and held public hearings on the following

HB 728 (Collins), Modifies provisions relating to good time credit

In Support: Missouri Conference of the NAACP, Russell Marks, Missouri Justice Coalition, Sheena Eastburn, Amanda Gili, Richard Scott
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1065 (Parker), Modifies provisions relating to Missouri state highway patrol salary increases

In Support: Missouri State Troopers Association
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 273 (Roberts), Establishes provisions relating to a driving while intoxicated diversion program

Do Pass by a vote of 19 to 0

HB 592 (West), Modifies provisions relating to juvenile proceedings

Do Pass by a vote of 17 to 2

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

Feb. 28, 2025

State control of the St. Louis Police Board appears fast tracked

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative Chambers
The State of the Judiciary address was presented on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. to a joint session of the Senate and the House. Highlights of the speech included:

it is important to understand the impact of the judicial system on people throughout our state, investing in our courts is an investment in our local citizens
every day, more than 3,400 judges, court clerks, bailiffs and other court employees perform critical functions on behalf of – and for the benefit of – all Missourians
the legislature's ongoing support for court technology, saves counties, municipalities and people millions of dollars in postage, supplies and storage
a request that jurors’ mileage rate be tied to that of state employees
a request to expand pretrial services by expanding our treatment court divisions to include mental health courts, which help people stay out of our criminal justice system and find new beginnings as both loving members of their families and productive community citizens.

To date, sixteen bills have been third read in the House. The Senate has acted upon twenty-seven pieces of legislation and sent them to the House for consideration.

The bill providing that the citizen members of the St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners are to be appointed by the Governor, one of Governor Kehoe's priorities, appears to be moving toward his desk. On February 20, HCS #2 HB 495 was third read in the House and sent to the Senate for its consideration. That bill was heard in the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on Feb. 27.

Committee Hearings of Interest

Senate

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Feb. 24.

If you wish to make a comment regarding the efficiency of state government, the Portal is available for your use.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 24, and held a public hearing on the following:

SB 358 (Schroer), Creates "The Freedom 13 Organization" special license plates

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 165 (Gregory - 21), Exempts certain vehicle dealers from place of business inspections

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 189 (Brown - 16), Adds vehicles operated by county or municipal park rangers to the definition of "emergency vehicle"

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

Do Pass Consent by a vote of 6 to 0

SB 200 (Bean), Exempts certain farm vehicles from emissions inspection requirements

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

SCS SB 133 (Fitzwater), Modifies and creates new provisions relating to underground facilities (811)

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Feb. 25, and held public hearings on the following:

HCS HBs 594 & 508 (Perkins), Authorizes an income tax deduction for capital gains

In Support: Associated Industries of Missouri, National Federation of Independent Business, Missouri Realtors Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Cattleman's Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff, Missouri Budget Project

HCS HBs 737 & 486 (Schmidt), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of children

In Support: Jason White - foster parent, Foster Adopt Connect, The Center for Rights of Abused Children, Missouri Coalition for Children, Foster Care & Adoptive Care Coalition, Arnie Dienoff, Kids Win Missouri, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Family Forward, National Association of Social Workers
In Opposition: none

SB 231 (Brown - 26), Modifies provisions relating to tobacco product regulations

In Support: Missouri Vape and Alternative Products Association, Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Missouri Retailers Association, Missouri Grocers Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, Cigar Association of America, National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Maverick Convenience Stores, HUB, Inc, Missouri Licensed Tobacco Distributors, Missouri Wholesale Distributors, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: City of Kansas City, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, Missouri State Medical Association, American Lung Association, Missouri Public Health Association, Springfield - Greene County Health Department, Stan Cowan, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

SB 244 (Crawford), Modifies provisions relating to hospital investments and service areas

In Support: CEO Golden Valley Memorial Health Care (a rural hospital in Clinton MO)
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff

SB 289 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to estate planning, including notice for principal place of administration transfers, statutes of limitations for actions against trustees, electronic wills, and estate planning during the COVID-19 emergency

In Support: John Challis, The Missouri Bar, Trust and Will
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 225 (Coleman), Modifies provisions relating to jury instructions for the offense of murder in the first degree

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

HCS HBs 594 & 508 (Perkins), Authorizes an income tax deduction for capital gains

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 2

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Feb. 26, and held public hearings on the following:

SJR 8 (Moon), Defines person in relation to the equal protection of laws

In Support: Adam Cochrun, Tren Groat, Red State Reform, Jordan De La Rosa, Missouri Right to Life, Emma Manhunt, Church of the Word, Kanoa Benz, Adrian Cookson, Act4MO, ArmorVine, Timothy Faber, Coalition for Jewish Values, Ron Calzone, Chad Eulentrop, Tristen Daniel, Spencer Childress, Justice Clingman, Luis Singh, Esther Clingman, Zachary Conover, Gayla Prewitt, Journey Baptist Church, Vic Raekers
In Opposition: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
For Informational Purposes: Rebecca Kiessling

SJR 33 (Schnelting), Establishes provisions relating to reproductive health care

In Support: Rebecca Weaver, Coalition for Jewish Values, Missouri Right to Life, Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Catholic Conference, Byron Keelin, Oscar Harrell, Timothy Faber, Amy DeClue, Jordan De La Rosa, Justin Atwood
In Opposition: Diane Light - physician, Ron Calzone, Yvonne Reeves Chong,

On Feb. 27, the committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SB 317 (Black), Modifies MO HealthNet coverage of hearing instruments

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Feb. 26, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 281, SB 251 and SB449 were heard together:

SB 281 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

SB 251 (Moon), Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

SB 449 (Trent), Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

In Support: Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, Missouri Sheriffs United, Missouri Sheriffs Association
In Opposition: Empower Missouri, Missouri Justice Coalition, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Action Now Initiative, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, FWD.us (reforming criminal justice systems), Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
For Informational Purposes: Department of Corrections

SB 197 (Moon), Creates provisions relating to lifetime protection orders

In Support: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Timothy Faber, Missouri Sheriffs United
In Opposition: none

SB 235 (Henderson), Creates "Bentley's Law" relating to child maintenance orders for certain persons convicted of the offense of driving while intoxicated

In Support: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Missouri Sheriffs United
In Opposition: none

SB 353 and SB 434 were heard together:

SB 353 (Trent), Creates a DWI diversion program

SB 434 (Washington), Creates a DWI diversion program

In Support: Jarod Breit, Forward.us, Triple A Missouri, Safety and Advocacy for Empowerment, Missouri Sheriffs United, Empower Missouri, Families Against Mandatory Minimums
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Prosecution Services, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 27, and held a public hearing on the following:

HCS # 2 HB 495 (Christ), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

In Support: Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, St. Louis Police Officers Association, Missouri Attorney General's Office, Donny Walters, Gateway Alliance Against Human Trafficking, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Law Enforcement Coalition
In Opposition: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP
For Informational Purposes: ArmorVine

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Feb. 27, and heard a presentation by the Judiciary.

House

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Feb. 24, and, in executive session, took the following action:

HB 723 (Peters), Repeals provisions of law establishing the "Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act"

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Feb. 25, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1148 (Byrnes), Creates provisions relating to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1165 (Mayhew), Modifies provisions relating to visitation rights of grandparents

In Support: Kevin Shelton - Attorney,
In Opposition:
For Informational Purposes:
Electronic Forms

HB 1025 and HB 381 were heard together:

HB 1025 (Dolan), Provides that a grandparent shall be given priority if it is in the best interest of the child to be placed in the custody of a third party
Electronic Forms

HB 381 (Terry), Provides that a grandparent shall be given priority if it is in the best interest of the child to be placed in the custody of a third party

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 1259 (Hardwick), Modifies provisions relating to the taxation of estates and trusts

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Budget Committee met on Feb. 26, and received a budget presentation from the Office of the Public Defender.

The Office of the Public Defender had hired an administrative assistant who had pled guilty to two felonies – endangering the welfare of a child, and hindering prosecution involving the murder of the assistant's stepdaughter. State lawmakers, earlier this month, threatened to hold up the public defense system's budget until that administrative assistant was fired. During the hearing on Feb. 26, the committee noted the Public Defender's Office had complied with everything it was called upon to do, including making substantive changes in it hiring protocols. The hearing on the budget then proceeded as normal.

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Feb. 26, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1075 and HB 731 were heard together:

HB 1075 (Violet), Establishes provisions relating to a freestanding claim of actual innocence in a postconviction action or proceeding challenging the validity of a judgment
Electronic Forms

HB 731 (Collins), Establishes provisions relating to freestanding claims of actual innocence

In Support: Midwest Innocence Project, Joshua Kezer - exoneree, Rodney Lincoln, Kevin Strickland, Professor Kenya Brumfield-Young, Empower Missouri, Tecona Donald-Sullivan, Justice for All, Pamela Washington, Missourian to Abolish the Death Penalty, Missouri Justice Coalition, Donna Ewing, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Action St. Louis Power Project
In Opposition: Office of the Missouri Attorney General, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
Electronic Forms

HB 709 (Seitz), Modifies provisions relating to nondisclosure agreements in childhood sexual abuse cases

In Support: Elizabeth Phillips, Keith Dygert, Joe Alarcon, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Insurance Coalition
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 736 (Dolan), Modifies provisions relating to court proceedings involving juveniles

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 0

HB 182 (Parker), Modifies provisions relating to fees and expenses for an interpreter or translator in certain proceedings

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 0

HCS HB 123 (Veit), Modifies provisions related to workers' compensation administrative law judges

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 0

HB 129 (Veit), Creates the "Change of Venue for Capital Cases Fund" to reimburse a county that receives a capital case from another county for costs associated with the sequestering of jurors

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 0

HB 131 (Veit), Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 0

HCS HB 83 (Veit), Modifies provisions relating to civil proceedings

Do Pass by a vote of 8 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Feb. 26, and held public hearings on the following

HB 273 (Roberts), Establishes provisions relating to a driving while intoxicated diversion program

In Support: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Safety and Advocacy for Empowerment
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Electronic Forms

HB 592 (West), Modifies provisions relating to juvenile proceedings

In Support: Missouri Juvenile Justice Association
In Opposition: Public Defender's Office
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 42 (Billington), Changes the law regarding catalytic converters

Do Pass by a vote of 17 to 0

HB 757 (Mayhew), Modifies practices and standards in regard to certain commercial practices

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 5

HB 362 (Williams), Creates the offense of and civil penalties for disclosure of intimate digital depictions

Do Pass by a vote of 17 to 0

HB 1218 (Hinman), Modifies the offense of burglary in the second degree

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met on Feb. 19, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 317 (Davis), Creates provisions regarding the use of phones in correctional and jail facilities

In Support: Missouri Appleseed, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 968 (Lewis), Establishes the "Missouri Financial Empowerment Commission"

In Support: Missouri State Treasurer
In Opposition: Arnie Dienoff
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

Feb. 21, 2025

The General Assembly continued its work, despite warnings of extreme weather

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative Chambers
For the Members' information, the State of the Judiciary address will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. The address will be presented to a joint session of the Senate and the House in the House Chamber.

On Monday, President Pro Tem O'Laughlin announced that the Senate will be in session all week despite warnings that the weather was going to be brutal. She stated that the worst was predicted to come after the legislators already were in Jefferson City. She further stated that often the worst does not materialize — probably based on her experience last week.

To date, the House has third read eight bills. The Senate has finally passed eighteen pieces of legislation. Perhaps of greatest interest to Missouri Bar members is the following:

SB 47 (Trent), Amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions

There's is a companion bill in the House, HB 534, which has been reported do pass by the House Committee on Emerging Issues.

Committee Hearings of Interest

Senate

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met in executive session on Feb. 17, and took the following action:

SB 221 (Schroer), Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and sub regulatory documents

Do pass by a vote of 4 to 1

Portal Update: Members of the Committee may have comments, submitted on the portal, emailed to their offices.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 17, and held public hearings on bills that include the following:

SB 165 (Gregory - 21), Exempts certain vehicle dealers from place of business inspections

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 183 (Crawford), Modifies provisions relating to the assessment of motor vehicles

In Support: Missouri State Assessors' Association, Missouri Association of Counties, Missouri Farm Bureau
In Opposition: none

SB 189 (Brown - 16), Adds vehicles operated by county or municipal park rangers to the definition of "emergency vehicle"

In Support: St. Louis County Park Rangers, Missouri Park and Recreation Association
In Opposition: ArmorVine

SB 200 (Bean), Exempts certain farm vehicles from emissions inspection requirements

In Support: Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Pork Association
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Department of Transportation

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 74 (Hudson), Modifies provisions relating to firearms

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

The Senate General Laws Committee met on Feb. 18, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 225 (Coleman), Modifies provisions relating to jury instructions for the offense of murder in the first degree

In Support: Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Archdiocese of St. Louis Peace and Justice Committee, Missouri Catholic Conference, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, Empower Missouri
In Opposition: none

SB 246 (Crawford), Establishes the Missouri Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act, which modifies provisions relating to trust and estate administration

In Support: Michael Magliari, The Missouri Bar, Missouri Credit Union Association
In Opposition: none

SJR 40 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to sheriffs

In Support: Michael Bonham - Sheriff Osage County, Missouri Sheriffs United, Missouri Sheriffs Association
In Opposition: none

SB 238 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to expert testimony

In Support: Eric Lasker - Hollingsworth, LLP, Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Insurance Coalition, American Tort Reform Association, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, Mark Dunn - Midwest Sterilization Corporation, Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
In Opposition: Missouri Circuit Judges' Association, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SB 168 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to the removal of persons unlawfully occupying certain property through ex parte orders

Do Pass by a vote of 3 to 2

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Feb. 19, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 170 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to money held by the Children's Division for the benefit of a child

In Support: FosterAdopt Connect, National Association of Social Workers, Kids Win Missouri, Family Forward, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Missouri Coalition for Children
In Opposition: none

SB 317 (Black), Modifies MO HealthNet coverage of hearing instruments

In Support: Dr. Kathleen Sinks - Center for Hearing and Speech, Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri Speech Language Hearing Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence, Missouri Healthcare Association, Missouri Assisted Living Association, Centurian, Haleon, Missouri State Medical Association, Empower Missouri, Reach Foundation
In Opposition: none

SJR 43 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to MO HealthNet

In Support: none
In Opposition: American Cancer Society, Empower Missouri, Missouri Budget Project, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri Family Health Council
For Informational Purposes: Department of Social Services

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Feb. 19, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 196 (Moon), Establishes the penalty of death for certain sexual offenses

In Support: none
In Opposition: Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri

SB 288 (Henderson), Increases the number of associate circuit judges in St. Francois County in the 24th Judicial District

In Support: none
In Opposition: none

SB 295 (Brattin), Creates the offense of engaging in an adult cabaret performance

In Support: none
In Opposition: Chris Leman - Nclusion Inc Nclusion Plus, Cammie Storm, Cara Carter, Brandon Banks - MAAD Creative, Stevie Miller, Austin Kimes, Carl Baysinger, Devon Christensen - Parents4Parents, Ky Brunkhorst, Rebecca Maddux, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, PROMO, Kate Giant, Cole Faubert, Scott Hammack

SB 318 (Schroer), Modifies provisions relating to offenses involving retail theft

In Support: Missouri Retailers Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Grocers Association, Missouri Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, Walmart Inc., U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: ArmorVine

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 218 (Black), Modifies a provision relating to the establishment of treatment courts by providing for a mental health treatment court

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met in executive session on Feb. 20, and took the following action:

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SB 83 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to child protection

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

SB 13 (Brown - 16), Enacts provisions relating to insurance coverage of pharmacy services

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

SB 170 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to money held by the Children's Division for the benefit of a child

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

House

The House Committee on Emerging Issues met on Feb. 17, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 723 (Peters), Repeals provisions of law establishing the "Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act"

In Support: Bevis Schock - Attorney, Empower Missouri, Missouri Appleseed, David Jackson
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 534 (Diehl), Modifies Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Feb. 18, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1259 (Hardwick), Modifies provisions relating to the taxation of estates and trusts

In Support: Paul Vogel - Trust Attorney
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HJR 26 (Hausman), Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to certain sexual offenses involving children

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 807 (Amato), Establishes the division of maternal and child resources within the department of social services and the "Save MO Babies Act" to help assist persons in the adoption of children

In Support: Gerard Harms - Attorney
In Opposition: Yvonne Reeves Chong, Vice-Chair Missouri Democratic Party
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 1200 (Reuter), Modifies provisions relating to the age of marriage

Do Pass by a vote of 15 to 0

HB 945 (Gragg), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of children

Do Pass by a vote of 15 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Feb. 18, and held a public hearing on the following:

HB 846 (Stinnett), Modifies provisions for solar energy systems (net metering)

In Support: Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association, Azimuth Renewables
In Opposition: Callaway Electric Cooperative, Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities, Community Associations Institute, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Evergy, City Utilities of Springfield, Ameren Missouri
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 176 (Parker), Establishes provisions relating to electronic estate planning

HB 178 was rolled into the substitute

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0

HB 632 (West), Modifies provisions relating to cemeteries

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Financial Institutions met on Feb. 19, in executive session, and took the following action:

HB 608 (Thompson), Modifies the "Principal and Income Act" to resemble the latest version of the "Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act"

Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Feb. 19, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 83 (Veit), Modifies provisions relating to civil proceedings

In Support: Department of Labor, Missouri Judicial Conference, Legal Services of Missouri, Missouri Press Association, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, The Institute for Free Speech, The Missouri Bar
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 123 (Veit), Modifies provisions related to workers' compensation administrative law judges

In Support: Department of Labor, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry,
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: Active and Retired Missouri State Employees
Electronic Forms

HB 263 (Hovis), Modifies provisions relating to expert witnesses

In Support: Eric Lasker - attorney, Mark Dunn - Midwest Sterilization Corporation, Missouri Hospital Association, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri, American Tort Reform Association, Missouri Insurance Coalition, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
In Opposition: Missouri Circuit Judges' Association
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 839 (Schulte), Modifies provisions relating to injunctions

Do Pass by a vote of 7 to 3

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Feb. 19, and held public hearings on the following

HB 42 (Billington), Changes the law regarding catalytic converters

In Support: Recycled Materials Association, Advantage Metals Recycling
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 757 (Mayhew), Modifies practices and standards in regard to certain commercial practices

In Support: Missouri Self Storage Owners Association
In Opposition: Advantage Metals Recycling, Recycled Materials Association
Electronic Forms

HB 362 (Williams), Creates the offense of and civil penalties for disclosure of intimate digital depictions

In Support: Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 1218 (Hinman), Modifies the offense of burglary in the second degree

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met in executive session on Feb. 19, and took action on the following:

HB 122 (Veit), Exempts corporations contracted with the state to provide dental care in correctional centers from the requirements for corporation licensure to practice dentistry

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0

HCS HB 572 (Hurlbert), Authorizes motor fuel tax rate changes based on certain department of transportation expenditures

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 2

HCS HB 916 (Perkins), Establishes certain protections for vulnerable persons

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

Feb. 14, 2025

The anticipated severe snowstorm, foreseen to interfere with the business of the General Assembly, did not materialize.

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative Chambers
For the Members' information, the State of the Judiciary address will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. Details will follow as they become available.

While the House held only a technical session on Wednesday in anticipation of an impending, severe snowstorm, the Senate worked a full day. By the way, the snowstorm was not as severe as anticipated. So far, four bills have been third read in the House. The Senate has been a bit more productive with regard to finally passing bills and sending them to the House for its consideration.

Also of interest, perhaps, is that the State's traditional Blue Book, produced by the Secretary of State and providing comprehensive information on government officials, state agencies, elections and state history will be red in color this year.

Committee Hearings of Interest
Senate

The Senate Government Efficiency Committee met on Feb. 10, and held public hearings on bills that include the following:
SB 221 (Schroer), Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and subregulatory documents

In Support: Pacific Legal Foundation, Center for Practical Federalism, Americans for Prosperity
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes: American Legislative Exchange Council
Portal Update: 77 issues have been submitted to the committee
The number one issue is testing deer for Chronic Wasting Disease

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 10, and held public hearings on bills that include the following:
SB 41 (Mosley), Creates the CTF Medical Alert System

In Support: Theda Wilson
In Opposition: none

SB 74 (Hudson), Modifies provisions relating to firearms

In Support: Missouri Firearms Coalition, Susan Myers, ArmorVine
In Opposition: City of Kansas City, Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety, League of Women Voters

SB 125 (Roberts), Modifies eligibility for appropriations from the Waterways and Ports Trust Fund

In Support: St. Louis City Port Authority, Missouri Port Authority Association, Missouri Soybean Association
In Opposition: ArmorVine

SB 147 (Coleman), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

In Support: Susan Myers
In Opposition: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, The Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (Section 571.275, only)

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SBs 81 & 174 (Gregory - 21), Modifies provisions relating to fireworks protections

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 92 (Nurrenbern), Creates provisions relating to the jurisdiction of law enforcement officers

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 0

SB 77 (Schnelting), Modifies provisions relating to the carrying of firearms on public transit systems

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Feb. 11 and received information from the State Public Defender.

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Feb. 11, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 26 (Moon), Modifies provisions relating to gender transition

In Support: Jamie Reed, Missouri American Academy of Medical Ethics, Courage Coalition, Do No Harm Action, Armorvine, Timothy Faber, Missouri Catholic Conference, Liberty Link Missouri, Act4MO
In Opposition: South Hampton Community Healthcare, Cat Rose, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, PROMO, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, Missouri Equity Education Partnership, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, The Center for Growing Justice, Christopher Lehman, Melisabeth Johnston, Ben Greene, Nicholas Tatum, Samantha Jones, Stephanie Miller, Katherine Daugherty, Shannon Frey, Taylor Cooper, Seana Guilliams, Cammie Storm

SB 75 (Hudson), Removes the expiration date on certain provisions relating to gender transition

In Support: Arnie Dienoff, Do No Harm Action, Missouri American Academy of Medical Ethics, ArmorVine, Timothy Faber, Missouri Catholic Conference, Liberty Link Missouri, Act for Missouri
In Opposition: Ben Greene, Nicolas Tatum, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, Missouri Equity Education Partnership, The Center for Growing Justice, Southampton Community Healthcare, PROMO, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, Christopher Lehman, Emilia Stauffer, Melisabeth Johnston, Kate Hopkins, Susan Shelby, Katherine Daugherty, Seana Guilliams, Cammie Storm, Cat Rose

SB 76 (Schnelting), Modifies provision relating to prohibited discriminatory practices

In Support: St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, Arnie Dienoff, Randy Cook, Timothy Faber, Jane Puszkar, Dr. Glaser, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Catholic Conference, Liberty Link Missouri, Armorvine, Do No Harm Action
In Opposition: Sarah Hunt - Kennedy Hunt, P.C., Melisabeth Johnston, The Center for Growing Justice, Missouri Equity Education Partnership, Southampton Community Healthcare, Samantha Jones, Dr. Susan Shelby, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, PROMO, Christopher Lehman, Emilia Stauffer, Kate Hopkins, Cassandra Kinder, Nicholas Tatum, Madeline Johnson, Jennifer Harper, Stevie Miller, Katherine Daugherty, Shannon Frey, Seana Guilliams, Cammie Storm, Cat Rose, Ben Greene, Jennifer Pepper

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Feb. 12, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 18 (May), Allows the circuit court of St. Louis City to collect a civil case filing fee of an amount not to exceed $20, rather than $15, for certain uses, including the maintenance of a law library

In Support: Retired Judge Bob Dierker - President of the Law Library Association of the City of St. Louis
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes:

SB 218 (Black), Modifies a provision relating to the establishment of treatment courts by providing for a mental health treatment court

In Support: Recovery Lighthouse, Empower Missouri, Judicial Conference of Missouri
In Opposition: none

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Feb. 13 and received information from the Office of the Attorney General.

House

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Feb. 11, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1200 (Reuter), Modifies provisions relating to the age of marriage

In Support: Fraidy Reiss - Unchained at Last, Holly Thompson Rehder, AHA Foundation, Brandi Dredge, Sheena Eastburn, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 338 (Kelley), Requires that a guardian ad litem who is appointed to a child to have an ethical obligation to that child

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 945 (Gragg), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of children

In Support: Alexa Dudley
In Opposition: ArmorVine
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Juvenile Justice Association
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 121 (Murphy), Establishes the "Safe Place for Newborns Fund" for the installation of newborn safety incubators

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 0

HCS HB 236 (Gallick), Establishes provisions relating to civil liability for publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 0

HCS HB 219 (Lewis), Modifies and establishes provisions relating to the protection of children and vulnerable person

Do Pass by a vote of 16 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on the Judiciary met on Feb. 11, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 131 (Veit), Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors

In Support: Judicial Conference of Missouri, Retired Judge Jon Beetem, The Missouri Bar
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 182 (Parker), Modifies provisions relating to fees and expenses for an interpreter or translator in certain proceedings

In Support: Missouri Catholic Conference, Judicial Conference of Missouri
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 736 (Dolan), Modifies provisions relating to court proceedings involving juveniles

In Support: Judicial Conference of Missouri
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 839 (Schulte), Modifies provisions relating to injunctions

In Support: Attorney General's Office
In Opposition: Retired Judge Jon Beetem
Electronic Forms

HB 129 (Veit), Creates the "Change of Venue for Capital Cases Fund" to reimburse a county that receives a capital case from another county for costs associated with the sequestering of jurors

In Support: Retired Judge Jon Beetem, Cole County
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met on Feb. 11, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 122 (Veit), Exempts corporations contracted with the state to provide dental care in correctional centers from the requirements for corporation licensure to practice dentistry

In Support: Centurian
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 572 (Hurlbert), Authorizes motor fuel tax rate changes based on certain department of transportation expenditures

In Support: Arnie Dienoff,
In Opposition: Missouri Municipal League, Callaway County, Missouri Association of Counties, County Commissioners Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
For Informational Purposes: Missouri Department of Transportation
Electronic Forms

HB 916 (Perkins), Establishes certain protections for vulnerable persons

In Support: Campaign Life Missouri, Christian Coalition, American Conservative Union - CPAC, Action Now Initiative, Feeding Missouri, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Catholic Conference, Missouri Appleseed
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Financial Institutions met on Feb. 11, and held public hearings on bills including the following:

HB 608 (Thompson), Modifies the "Principal and Income Act" to resemble the latest version of the "Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act"

In Support: John Challis, The Missouri Bar
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Feb. 11, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 176 (Parker), Establishes provisions relating to electronic estate planning

In Support: John Challis, The Missouri Bar, Trust and Will
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 178 (Parker), Establishes provisions relating to estate planning during an emergency

In Support: John Challis, The Missouri Bar
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 242 (Sharpe - 4), Modifies provisions relating to domestic relations

In Support: Gary Stamper, Brent Karasik
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 417 (Mayhew), Creates provisions for electrical choice and competition

In Support: NRG Inc., Retail Energy Advancement League, Missouri Solar Energy Association, Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers
In Opposition: Evergy (KC), Ameren, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry
For Informational Purposes: TJ Berry
Electronic Forms

HB 696 (Baker), Creates provisions relating to the regulation of hemp-derived consumable products

In Support: MO Hemp Trade Association, American Shaman, Peerless Canna, Katz - CBD Kratom, Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association, Missouri Vape and Alternative Products Association, Regal Dairy, South Point Hemp
In Opposition: MoCann Trade, Missouri Cannabis Trade Association
For Informational Purposes: Allie Faver - CBD Kratom
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 207 (Hinman), Modifies provisions relating to department of revenue fee offices

Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 1

HCS HB 224 (Myers), Modifies provisions relating to human trafficking

Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met in executive session on Feb. 11, and took the following actions:

HB 49 (Haley), Modifies the offenses of trafficking of drugs in the first and second degree

Do Pass by a vote of 17 to 0

HCS HB 87 (Griffith), Modifies provisions relating to the offense of driving while intoxicated

Do Pass by a vote of 17 to 0, and 1 voting present

HCS HB 615 (Coleman), Modifies and establishes provisions relating to judicial proceedings

Do Pass by a vote of 18 to 0

HCS HBs 862, 314 & 389 (Hovis), Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 6

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Feb. 13, and held a public hearing on the following:

HB 1175 (Hardwick), Reestablishes the "Second Amendment Preservation Act"

In Support: Ron Calzone, Missouri Firearms Coalition, Susan Myers,
In Opposition: none
FYI: there are 319 electronic forms
Electronic Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

Feb. 7, 2025

Floor action takes place in the Senate

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative Chambers
Unusual this early in the session, the Senate perfected and finally passed a number of bills. Of those, some that may be of interest to Missouri Bar members are

SS for SB 50 (Black), Modifies provisions relating to jails
the bill has an emergency clause, enabling the Department of Corrections to reimburse counties more quickly
SS for SB 7 (Bernskoetter), Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical service primarily dealing with ambulance services

These, along with others, now go to the House for its consideration. They first must be assigned to committee for hearing before any other action can take place.

The House continued to hold hearings. On the chamber floor, however, the House gaveled in, heard points of personal privilege, introduced special guests, made announcements, and gaveled out.

Committee Hearings of Interest
Senate

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 3, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 81 (Gregory - 21), Modifies provisions relating to fireworks protections
Warehouse in Sen. Gregory's district

In Support: Spirit of '76 Fireworks, Atomic Fireworks, Missouri Fireworks Association
In Opposition: none

SB 174 (Webber), Modifies provisions relating to fireworks protections
Headquarters in Sen. Webber's district

In Support: Spirit of '76 Fireworks, Atomic Fireworks, Missouri Fireworks Association
In Opposition: none

SB 92 (Nurrenbern), Creates provisions relating to the jurisdiction of law enforcement officers

In Support: Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Metro Chiefs and Sheriffs Association of Kansas City, City of Kansas City, Northland Chamber of Commerce
In Opposition: none

SB 77 (Schnelting), Modifies provisions relating to the carrying of firearms on public transit systems

In Support: Susan Myers, Women for Gun Rights, ArmorVine, Western Missouri Shooters Alliance, William Bland, Carl Smart, the Arnold Rifle and Pistol Club
In Opposition: Bi-State Development, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri Public Transit Association, City of Kansas City, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense

SB 133 (Fitzwater), Modifies and creates new provisions relating to underground facilities (811)

In Support: Associated General Contractors of Missouri, American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri
In Opposition: Missouri One Call System dba Missouri 811, Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities, Missouri Association of Water Districts, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Missouri Internet and Television Association, Missouri Natural Gas Association, Missouri Energy Development Association, Gateway Fiber, Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association
For Informational Purposes: St. Louis Home Builders Association, Spire Missouri Natural Gas, Ameren Missouri, AT&T Missouri

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session on Feb. 5:

SCS SB 23 (Brattin), Modifies provisions relating to additional protections to bear arms

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

SCS SB 58 (Carter), Creates new provisions relating to illegal immigrants

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

The Senate Insurance and Banking Committee met on Feb. 4, and voted on the following in executive session:

SB 79 (Gregory - 21), Specifies that certain contracts for health care benefits provided by qualified membership organizations to their members shall not be considered insurance under the laws of this state

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Feb. 5, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 149 (Carter), Modifies provisions relating to food labeling

In Support: Liberty Link Missouri
In Opposition: Missouri Beverage Association, Missouri Retailers Association, Missouri Grocers Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Pork Association, Missouri Bio-technology Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
For Informational Purposes: Anheuser-Busch

SB 94 (Lewis), Modifies provisions relating to telehealth services

In Support: Dr. Amy Beck, Missouri Psychological Association, SSM Health, Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons, Missouri Nurses Association, Missouri Hospital Association, St. Luke's Health System, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Dr. Michela Muhlbach, Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Missouri Health Association, Association of Nurse Practitioners, BJC Healthcare Systems, CoxHealth, Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Association of Social Workers - MO Chapter, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, REACH Healthcare Foundation, Mercy Health Systems, Missouri Nurse Leader Association, University Health - Truman Medical Centers, Mosaic Life Care, Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute
In Opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 66 (McCreery), Modifies provisions relating to the age of marriage

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session on Feb. 6:

SCS SB 54 (Schroer), Creates provisions relating to cannabis

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Feb. 5 and received information from the Department of Public Safety.

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Feb. 5, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 134 (Fitzwater), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

In Support: Jessica Slisz, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse
In Opposition: Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Joann Haglof, Matthew Michaels, Joshua James, Erik Diehl, Clayton James, Marcus Richardson, Viewpoints

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session

SB 167 (Gregory - 21), Modifies provisions relating to the offense of hazing

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

House

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Feb. 4, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 121 (Murphy), Establishes the "Safe Place for Newborns Fund" for the installation of newborn safety incubators

In Support: Fire Chief Brian Hendricks, Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, Missouri Catholic Conference
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 236 (Gallick), Establishes provisions relating to civil liability for publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet

In Support: Lori Ahrens - Jefferson County Council Woman and former teacher, Timothy Faber, Missouri Children's Trust Fund, Heidi Olson - forensic pediatric nurse, Exodus Cry, Neil Goetzlow, Missouri Catholic Conference, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 219 (Lewis), Modifies and establishes provisions relating to the protection of children and vulnerable persons

In Support: Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Elizabeth Phillips, KidsWin Missouri, Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation, Missouri Coalition for Children, Graham Voit
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HJR 54 (Stinnett), Proposes a Constitutional amendment establishing provisions relating to reproductive health care (evening session)

In Support: Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, Timothy Faber, Pony Express Chapter Missouri Right to Life, Tina Goodrick
In Opposition: Desiree White, Amanda Jones, Collin Chetwin, Denise Morgan Irish, Kendon Elliot, Melanie Montambeault, Laurie Rooney, Jana Roth, Julie Carol, Alice Ann Nix, Abigail West, Vallie Herbold, Jay Augustine, Jess Piper, Savannah Sadler, Elana Kellogg, Ena Chippendale, Kim Hays, Beth Spindler, Estri, Denise Shelina, Julia Carney, Kennedy Moore, Jacob Kempen, Sarah Lewis, Vivian Kane, Callie Moxley, Betsy van der Hayden, Dr. Diane Light, Susan Carter, Eli Flowers, Mary Alice Williams, Leslie Wagner Ortball, Cindy Berne, Evan Prost, Alice Dahl, Carla Nieman, Nancy O'Brian, Jane Dicampo, Karen Pasley, Jeff Stack, Caitlen Coy, Raymond Janes, Steve Perry, Marie Carlson, Carl Trey, Abortion Action Missouri
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 339 (Kelley), Excludes information about the reporters of complaints against child-care facilities from public requests for records of such complaints

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0

Consent by a vote of 14 to 0

HCS HBs 243 & 280 (Williams), Allows the court to enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation if a person is pregnant

Do Pass by a vote of to 14 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing (morning session)

Archived Video of Committee Hearing (evening session)

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met on Feb. 5, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 49 (Haley), Modifies the offenses of trafficking of drugs in the first and second degree

In Support: Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 87 (Griffith), Modifies provisions relating to the offense of driving while intoxicated

In Support: Tina Weir, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 615 (Coleman), Modifies and establishes provisions relating to judicial proceedings

In Support: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Court Reporters Association, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, Arnie Dienoff
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

The following three bills were presented together:

HB 314 (Cook), Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

In Support: Webster County Sheriff, Osage County Sheriff, Arnie Dienoff, Missouri Sheriffs United
In Opposition: Dream.org, Missouri Conference of the NAACP, Action Now Initiative, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Empower Missouri, Justice for All, Felicia Hampton
Electronic Forms

HB 389 (Casteel), Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

HB 862 (Hovis), Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 593 (Perkins), Creates provisions relating to intoxicating cannabinoids

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 5

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

Jan. 31, 2025

Bills being voted out of committee in executive session

State of the State Address
Governor Mike Kehoe delivered the 2025 State of the State Address on Jan. 28, to members of the House and Senate in the House Chamber. The Governor outlined his legislative and budget priorities for FY26. His policy priorities include public safety, economic development, agriculture, education and government improvements. He demonstrated his support for his policy priorities with his recommended budget allocations. The full budget document is available through the Office of Administration's Division of Budget and Planning.

2025 Introduced Legislation
To see legislation that has been introduced, organized by subject matter or practice area, visit The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center. The bills are automatically updated with the latest status of the bills listed and provide links to the individual bill webpages. If you have any questions or comments about specific legislation, please contact Government Relations staff at 573-659-2280 or govrel@mobar.org for more information.

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative Chambers
As stated last week, during the early weeks of the legislative session, little floor activity takes place in either chamber. The focus is on committee work. A link to the bills heard is provided, and organizations speaking in support of, in opposition to and for informational purposes are identified. In hearings held in the Missouri House, a link to electronic witness forms and testimony is provided. This information is available for House committee members to review but not to question. Those testifying in person at the hearing are subject to questioning by members of the committee and are not always included in the electronic witness forms.

Committee Hearings of Interest
Senate

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Jan. 27, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 58 (Carter), Creates new provisions relating to illegal immigrants

In Support: Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Missouri Sheriffs United, Newton County Sheriff Matt Stowart
In Opposition: Hispanic Leaders Group, Missouri Catholic Conference, Immigrant Home English Learning Project, Jessica Trout - Missouri Immigrant Coalition, American Civil Liberties Association of Missouri, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, Start at Zero, City of St. Louis, On behalf of themselves: Laura Green, Michael Dunn - Disciples of Christ Minister, Lance Coleman, Arianna Bunyard, Ashley Heics-Atugen, Gabriella Cepeda, Elizabeth Byrde, Isabel Aluarez, Sunkeerth Tummala, Andrea Long, Amanda Cruz, Tynan O'Neil, Randall Quisenberry, Laura Kennedy, Seth Burlbaw, Dani Kahn, Kristie Hilgedick, Maria Valdovinos-Arceo, Aura Velasquez, Julie Heise, Allison Housewright, Andrew Housewright, Esmeralda Morfin, Lyttia O'Neil, Ana B., Ashley Chavama, German Gonzalez Herrera(immigration attorney)

SB 72 (Gregory - 15), Creates provisions relating to illegal aliens
Creates a state ICE Program in the State of Missouri

In Support: Coalition for Jewish Values,
In Opposition: International Institute of St. Louis, City of St. Louis, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, Advocates for Immigrants Rights and Reconciliation, Kansas Missouri Dream Alliance, Empower Missouri, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, Missouri Catholic Conference, Immigrant English Learning Program, Hispanic Leaders Group, Start at Zero, On behalf of themselves: German Gonzalez Herrera (immigration attorney), Michael Dunn - Disciples of Christ Minister, Manuel Tuvjillo, Ethan Crawford, James Peppler, Marcia Burton, Antonis Unaldonado, Jessica Trout, Gabriella Cepeda, Beto Martinez, Randy Vasquez, Amiramal Fontenot, Ace Fontenot, Ashley Hicks, Ross Cleveland, Elizabeth Byrde, Kris Hilgedick, Lance Coleman, Maria Rodriguez, Shelly Saladin, Shawn Cocerum, Eze Pojmann-Ezeountilo, Katelin Nott, Sunkerth Tummala, Rodrigos Alvarez, Maggie DeMeulmeester, Arianna Bunyard, Andrea Long, Lauren Hughes, Ashley Chavarria, Ana B, Littia O'Neil, Esmeralda Morfin, Allison Housewright, Andrew Housewright, Julie Heise, Aura Velasquez, Maria Valdovinos-Arceo, Dani Kahn, Seth Burlbaw, Laura Kennedy, Randall Quisenberry, Yatmin Bruno, Laura Green, Amanda Cruz

SB 23 (Brattin), Modifies provisions relating to additional protections to bear arms
Makes SAPA in line with the 8th Circuit ruling

In Support: Missouri Firearms Coalition, Susan Myers, Ron Calzone
In Opposition: Missouri Sheriffs United, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Missouri Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, League of Women Voters, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, City of St. Louis, Mid Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, Chris Digiuseppi, Amanda Cruz
For Informational Purposes: Julie Heise, Dave Rollin - Freedom Center of Missouri

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 40 (Mosley), Creates the "Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force

Do Pass by a vote of 7 to 0

SCS SBs 52 & 44 (Schroer), Modifies provisions relating to the operation of certain law enforcement agencies

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

The Senate Insurance and Banking Committee met on Jan. 28, and held a public hearing on the following:

SB 79 (Gregory - 21), Specifies that certain contracts for health care benefits provided by qualified membership organizations to their members shall not be considered insurance under the laws of this state

In Support: Missouri Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau of Tennessee, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, F6A Action, Missouri Dairy Products Association, Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Sean Cornelius, Megan Richner
In Opposition: Missouri Insurance Coalition, American Cancer Society/Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association in Missouri, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Matthew Porter

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met on Jan. 29, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 43 (Fitzwater), Modifies provisions relating to child protection

In Support: Missouri Coalition for Children, Children's Permanency Partnership, Center for Rights of Abused Children, Family Forward, Burrell Behavioral Health, , BJC Healthcare Systems, Missouri Appleseed, Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, FosterAdopt Connect
In Opposition: ArmourVine
For Informational Purposes: Lara Underwood (GAL), Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates, Missouri Coalition for Children, Missouri Judicial Conference

SB 66 (McCreery), Modifies provisions relating to the age of marriage

In Support: Unchained at Last, Holly Thompson Rehder, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Missouri Coalition to End Child Marriage, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, Protect Our Defenders - Service Women's Action Network
In Opposition: none

SB 83 (Burger), Modifies provisions relating to child protection

In Support: Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, Kids Win Missouri, Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence, Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, Missouri Coalition for Children, Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Capital City CASA, FosterAdopt Connect
In Opposition: Missouri State Medical Association (concerned with APN portion)

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Jan. 29, and held public hearings on the following:

SB 19 (Williams), Creates provisions relating to expungement

In Support: Empower Missouri, Criminal Justice Ministry, All of Us or None, Fran Marion - Missouri Workers Center (former prisoner), Missouri Catholic Conference, Metropolitan Congregations United, Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice, Renia Farmer (ex offender), Missouri Appleseed, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Dream.org, Garrett Finnzzo - Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
In Opposition: Judicial Conference of Missouri (sole concern - resources and time are inadequate to carry out what is required in the legislation)
For Informational Purposes: Circuit Clerk of Greene County

SB 167 (Gregory - 21), Modifies provisions relating to the offense of hazing

In Support: David Bianchi (father of student killed in hazing incident), Bob Selsor - Mizzou Greek Alliance
In Opposition: none
For Informational Purposes:

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session

SB 36 (Roberts), Creates provisions relating to compensation for wrongful convictions

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1

SCS SB 60 (Carter), Modifies the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree

Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0

The Senate General Laws Committee met in executive session on Jan. 29, to consider the following:

SB 46 (Trent), Authorizes an income tax deduction for capital gains

Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 2

SCS SB 47 (Trent), Amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions

Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 2

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met on Jan. 30, and conducted the following business:

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
1. Elected as Chair: Representative Ben Keathley;
2. Elected as Vice Chair: Senator Nick Schroer
3. Next January, chairmanship will flip chambers
Approve minutes July 9, 2024 (approved by voice vote)
Directors Report
1. Budget Report (has own line item budget, will buy computers this year)
2. Periodic Review of Rules (will send to members on request)
3. Ratify authorities of the Director without going to the chair -- the official records custodian, office supply purchases under $50, waive the 30 day rule for correction of typos only, authority to grant agency a 30 day extension to respond to comments made on rules, can testify at hearings "For Informational Purposes Only," provides fiscal note numbers on rules (approved by voice vote)

House

The House Committee on Government Efficiency met on Jan. 27, for an informational meeting with the Senate Government Efficiency Committee. Members discussed the primary focus of the committees, which is to ensure state government is working effectively for the citizens of Missouri. A major tool will be a Government Efficiency Portal to enable citizens to reach out to their government to share information about where they see waste, fraud, abuse or duplication of efforts. Further, a legislative oversight body is proposed to be established to ensure the bureaucratic state implements the legislation that is passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor.
Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Jan. 28, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 243 (Williams), Allows the court to enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation if a person is pregnant

In Support: Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 280 (Proudie), Allows the court to enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation if a person is pregnant

In Support: Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 339 (Kelley), Excludes information about the reporters of complaints against child-care facilities from public requests for records of such complaints

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 486 (Hausman), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of children

In Support: Missouri Coalition for Children, Jason White, Foster Adopt Connect
In Opposition:
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HBs 737 and 486 (Schmidt), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of children

Do Pass by a vote of 14 to 0

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met on Jan. 29, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 117 (Murphy), Modifies and establishes offenses involving motor vehicles

In Support: none
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 225 (Myers), Allows the chief law enforcement executive in any jurisdiction to request assistance from another jurisdiction, including a jurisdiction outside the state of Missouri

In Support: Metro Chiefs and Sheriffs Association of Kansas City, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, St. Louis County
In Opposition: none
Electronic Forms

HB 593 (Perkins), Creates provisions relating to intoxicating cannabinoids

In Support: MoCannTrade, Alec Rosenbloom, Elevate Cannabis
In Opposition: John Grady, Missouri Hemp Trade Association, CBD Kratom
Electronic Forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 117 (Murphy), Modifies and establishes offenses involving motor vehicles

Do Pass by a vote of 15 to 2, and 1 voting present

HB 225 (Myers), Allows the chief law enforcement executive in any jurisdiction to request assistance from another jurisdiction, including a jurisdiction outside the state of Missouri

Do Pass by a vote of 12 to 4, and two voting present

HCS HB 495 (Christ), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 6

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

Jan. 24, 2025

Committee hearings begin in both chambers

State of the State Address
Gov. Mike Kehoe will deliver the 2025 State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m. The speech will be livestreamed on Governor Kehoe's Facebook page, the State of Missouri's Facebook page, and mo.gov/live.

2025 Introduced legislation
To see legislation that has been introduced, organized by subject matter or practice area, visit The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center. The bills automatically update with the latest status of the bills listed and provide links to the individual bill webpages. If you have questions or comments about specific legislation, please contact The Missouri Bar government relations staff at 573-659-2280 or govrel@mobar.org for more information.

To view The Missouri Bar legislative procedures and Missouri Bar-initiated legislative proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Legislative chambers
During the early weeks of the legislative session, little floor activity takes place in either chamber. Most of the work, and action, takes place in committees. Therefore, the legislative updates will focus on bills heard in the various committees that of are particular interest to members of The Missouri Bar.

A link to the bills heard is provided, and organizations speaking in support of, in opposition to, and for informational purposes are identified.

In hearings held by the House of Representatives committees, a link to electronic witness forms and testimony is provided. Such information is available for the members of the General Assembly to review only.

Those testifying in person at the hearing are subject to questioning by members of the committee and are not always included in the electronic witness forms, which is why those parties speaking in person at the hearing are listed in the report. If no electronic witness forms or testimony are submitted, the link will not appear.

Committee hearings of interest

Senate

The Senate General Laws Committee met Jan. 21 and held public hearings on the following:

SB 46 (Trent), Authorizes an income tax deduction for capital gains

In support, from the Senate website: Associated Industries, Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry, NFIB, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association
In opposition, from the Senate website: Missouri Budget Project

SB 47 (Trent), Amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions

Attempting to mirror the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure- Rule 23

In support, from the Senate website: MO Civil Justice Reform Coalition, Diamond Pet Foods, Associated Industries, Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, American Tort Reform Association, Missouri Insurance Coalition, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Shelter Insurance Companies, Ford Motor Company
In opposition, from the Senate website: Brandon Boulware who represents chicken farmers against Tyson, Farmer Danny Tetley, growers for Tyson Foods -John Brixter & Preston Arnett

The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee met Jan. 22 and held public hearings on the following:

SB 13 (Brown - 16), Enacts provisions relating to insurance coverage of pharmacy services

In support, from the Senate website: Daniel Good, Missouri Primary Care Association, Missouri Highlands Health Care (FQHC), Citizens Memorial Hospital, Jodie Gregg (concerned caretaker), Jordan Kantola (daughter of a cancer patient), Arnie Dienoff, SSM Health, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, University of Missouri Healthcare, BJC Healthcare, Cox Health, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital
In opposition, from the Senate website: Pharmaceutical Management Association, St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition, Missouri Insurance Coalition, Cigna Groups, America's Health Insurance Plan, Missouri and Kansas Laborers Council, Mid America Carpenters Regional Council, Missouri AFL-CIO

SB 45 (Fitzwater), Enacts provisions relating to payments for prescription drugs

In support, from the Senate website: Missouri Pharmacy Association, Arnie Dienoff, Gateway Hemophilia Association, American Cancer Society, Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, BJC , Rankin-Jordan Pediatric Hospital, Mosaic Life Care Hospital, MU Health Care, Citizens Memorial Hospital
In opposition, from the Senate website: Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition, Mid America Carpenters Regional Council, Missouri Kansas Laborers Council, Missouri AFL-CIO, Missouri Insurance Coalition, America's Health Insurance Plan, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Navitos Health Solutions

SB 54 (Schroer), Creates provisions relating to cannabis

In support, from the Senate website: Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, Elevate Cannabis, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Missouri State Medical Association
In opposition, from the Senate website: John Greedy - (veteran & owner 1000 Ripples providing cannabinoid products to veterans and cancer patients), Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Missouri Hemp Trade Association, Rick McGarock (The Popcorn Dispensary, Hermann), South Point Hemp, Riegel Dairy Inc.
For Informational Purposes, from the Senate website: Arnie Dienhoff, American Shaman, Pinnacle Hemp, Prohibition Hemp, HempHil

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met Jan. 22 and held public hearings on the following:

SB 60 (Carter), Modifies the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree

In support, from the Senate website: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Network Against Child Abuse
In opposition, from the Senate website: Armorvine (good with everything being a felony except for #1)

SB 36 (Roberts), Creates provisions relating to compensation for wrongful convictions

In support, from the Senate website: Midwest Innocence Project, Wrongfully convicted: Joseph Amrine & Kevin Strickland, Dream .org, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Missouri Association of Defense Lawyers, Missouri Catholic Conference, and Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation
In opposition, from the Senate website: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

The Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee met Jan. 22 and considered the following for an appointment:

Mark James was confirmed as director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met Jan. 22 and held public hearings on the following:

SB 44 (Fitzwater), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

In support, from the Senate website: Donny Walters, Freedom Principle MO, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, St. Louis Police Officers Association, St. Louis County Police Association, Arnie Dienoff, Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, Office of the Missouri Attorney General, and Missouri Sheriffs United
In opposition, from the Senate website: Chief - St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Mayor - City of St. Louis, Breaking Generational Poverty Foundation, Mamas Against Homicides, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, St. Louis City NAACP, Action St. Louis Power Project, Armorvine, and Empower Missouri

SB 52 (Schroer), Modifies provisions relating to the operation of certain law enforcement agencies

In support, from the Senate website: Donny Walters, Freedom Principle MO, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, St. Louis Police Officers Association, St. Louis County Police Association, Arnie Dienoff, Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition, and Office of the Missouri Attorney General
In opposition, from the Senate website: Chief - St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Mayor - City of the City of St. Louis, Breaking Generational Poverty Foundation, Mamas Against Homicides, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, St. Louis City NAACP, and Action St. Louis Power Project

SB 40 (Mosley), Creates the "Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force"

In support, from the Senate website: Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Breaking Generational Poverty Foundation, and Arnie Dienoff
In opposition, from the Senate website: none

House

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met Jan. 22 and held public hearings on the following:

HB 277 (Roberts), Establishes the offense of organized retail theft

In support, from the House website: Missouri Retailers Association, Missouri Grocers Association, Missouri Tire Industry Association, Associated Industries, Schnucks Markets, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Arnie Dienoff, and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In opposition, from the House website: none
Electronic Witness Forms

HB 495 (Christ), Modifies provisions relating to public safety

Includes state appointment of St. Louis Police Commission

In support, from the House website: St. Louis Police Officer Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Missouri Sheriffs United (only on increasing penalties), Arnie Dienoff, Ethical Society of Police, St. Louis County Police Officer Association, and Missouri Attorney General's Office
In opposition, from the House website: Mayor of City of St. Louis City, Chief of the St. Louis City Police Department, Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, St. Louis City NAACP, and Breaking Generational Poverty
Electronic Witness Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Committee on Children and Families met Jan. 22 and held public hearings on the following:

HB 737 (Schmidt), Modifies provisions relating to the protection of children

In support, from the House website: Foster Adopt Connect, Jason White, Missouri Coalition for Children, and Kids Win Missouri
In opposition, from the House website: none
Electronic witness forms

Archived video of committee hearing

Jan. 17, 2025

Legislative week dominated by organizational matters

On Monday, the following statewide officials were sworn in. Their names provide a link to their websites.

Gov. Mike Kehoe
Lt. Gov. David Wasinger
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins
State Treasurer Vivek Malek
Attorney General Andrew Bailey

The state auditor is elected in even-numbered non-presidential election years and, therefore, will be up for re-election in 2026.
State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick

The first full legislative week of the 2025 regular session was primarily dominated by organizational matters. Joint committees were appointed by both the House and the Senate:

Joint Committee on the Justice System
Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, chair

Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (depending on subject matter)
Administrative Rules Website
Rep. Alex Riley, chair

Senate

The Senate appointed committees and committee chairs. The following are committees of interest to the legal profession:

Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
Sen. Nick Schroer, chair
Meets: Wednesdays at 8 a.m. (Senate Lounge)

Appropriations (depending on agency heard)
Sen. Lincoln Hough, chair
Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8 a.m. (Senate Committee Room 2, Capitol Room 119)

Emerging Issues and Professional Registration (depending on bill(s) heard)
Sen. Justin Brown, chair
Meets: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. (Senate Committee Room 1, Capitol Room 118)

General Laws (depending on bill(s) heard)
Sen. Curtis Trent, chair
Meets: Tuesdays at 8 a.m. (Senate Committee Room 1, Capitol Room 118)

Government Efficiency (depending on issues addressed)
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, chair
Meets: Mondays at 2 p.m. (Senate Committee Room 2, Capitol Room 119)

Families, Seniors and Health
Sen. Jill Carter, chair
Meets: Wednesdays at 8 a.m. (Senate Committee Room 1, Capitol Room 118)

Gubernatorial Appointments (depending on appointments)
Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin, chair
Meets: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. (Senate Lounge)

Insurance and Banking (depending on bill(s) heard)
Sen. Sandy Crawford, chair
Meets: Tuesdays at noon (Senate Lounge)

Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety
Sen. Travis Fitzwater, chair
Meets: Mondays at 2 p.m. (Senate Committee Room 1, Capitol Room 118)

Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment (depending on bill(s) heard)
Sen. Mike Cierpiot, chair
Meets: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. (Senate Lounge)

No Senate committees of interest met during the week.

House

The House appointed committees and committee chairs. The following are committees of interest to the legal profession:

Judiciary
Rep. Cameron Parker, chair

Budget (depending on agency heard)
Rep. Dirk Deaton, chair

General Laws (depending on bill(s) heard)
Rep. Ben Keathley, chair

Corrections and Public Institutions
Rep. Don Mayhew, chair

Children and Families
Rep. Holly Jones, chair

Crime and Public Safety
Rep. Jeff Myers, chair

Emerging Issues (depending on bill(s) heard)
Rep. Brad Christ, chair

Financial Institutions (depending on bill(s) heard)
Rep. Bill Owen, chair

Government Efficiency (depending on issues addressed)
Rep. Ben Baker, chair

Local Government (depending on bill(s) heard)
Rep. Dave Hinman, chair

Professional Registration and Licensing
Rep. Jeff Knight, chair

No House committees of interest met during the week.

2025 Introduced legislation
To see legislation that has been introduced, organized by subject matter or practice area, visit The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center. The bills are automatically updated with the latest status of the bills listed and provide links to the individual bill webpages. If you have any questions or comments about specific legislation, please contact Government Relations staff at 573-659-2280 or govrel@mobar.org for more information.

To view The Missouri Bar Legislative Procedures and Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals, visit the Legislative Engagement Center and click on the issue of interest to you.

Jan. 10, 2025

Legislative session begins

Both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly convened at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and held swearing-in ceremonies.

Senate

The following is a link to the senators of the 103rd General Assembly.

Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin will serve as president pro tempore, and is responsible for appointing committee members, assigning legislation to committees, and ruling on points of order raised during debate in the Senate. Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer will serve as majority floor leader and is responsible for setting the schedule of bills up for consideration by the full body, the time allotted for floor debate on legislation, and session meeting times and dates. Also elected to Senate leadership were Sen. Curtis Trent, assistant majority floor leader; Sen. Jill Carter, majority caucus whip, responsible for making sure caucus members are present to cast votes; Sen. Ben Brown, majority caucus chairman; and Sen. Sandy Crawford, majority caucus secretary. Sen. Doug Beck is the minority floor leader.

Three committees were appointed in the Senate:

- Administration — Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin, chair
- Rules — Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, chair
- Gubernatorial Appointments — Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin, chair

House

The following is a link to the members of the House of Representatives.

Rep. Jon Patterson will serve as speaker of the House. Rep. Chad Perkins will serve as speaker pro tem, Rep. Alex Riley as the majority floor leader, and Rep. Ashley Aune as minority floor leader.

One committee was appointed in the House:
- Consent and House Procedure — Rep. Sean Pouche, chair

The inauguration for incoming governor Mike Kehoe and other statewide elected officials will be 10 a.m. Jan. 13. Other important dates to remember include:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 20, no session
- State of the State Address: Jan. 28, 3 p.m.
- Legislative spring break: March 14-21

As of noon Jan. 8,813 pieces of legislation had been pre-filed in the House and 596 pre-filed in the Senate.