Eliminates the restriction on felons running for public office

HB 318 eliminates Missouri’s legal bar preventing people with felony convictions from running for public office. The bill repeals Section 115.306, which previously disqualified candidates with felony convictions, and replaces it with a provision stating such convictions no longer disqualify individuals from seeking elective office. The law remains unchanged regarding tax payment requirements for candidates, which still require candidates to affirm they are not delinquent in state taxes. This change directly affects individuals with past felony convictions who wish to run for state or local elected positions.