HB 794 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Modifies provisions relating to elections

HB 794 modifies Missouri election laws by prohibiting government election authorities from accepting funds or services for election administration from non-government sources, with limited exceptions for "de minimis" value. It requires entities providing election services to certify they have no foreign donations and submit annual, sworn certifications. Election officers must publicly disclose any membership or participation in such entities on their websites with specific formatting, including certification details and program descriptions, for at least 180 days. The bill directly affects election officers (e.g., clerks, registrars) and service-providing entities, aiming to prevent foreign influence in election administration through mandatory transparency and certification. Violations are classified as class B misdemeanors.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Apr 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Committee Substitute → Perfected · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to repeal existing sections 115.105 and 115.107 and replace them with new, expanded sections covering election administration, challenger and watcher rights, and foreign donation restrictions. The changes clarify the roles of challengers and watchers, add specific qualifications and procedures for their designation, and introduce new requirements for disclosing foreign donations and election officer participation in related programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from limited election administration provisions to include nine new sections covering election administration, foreign donation restrictions, and detailed procedures for challengers and watchers.

SCOPE

Changed from adding one new section to repealing two existing sections and enacting nine new sections covering elections.

REQUIREMENT

Added detailed procedures for designating challengers and watchers, including eligibility verification, substitution rights, and reporting requirements.

Added certification requirements for entities receiving election administration funding, including annual renewal and foreign donation disclosure.

Added disclosure requirements for election officers participating in programs or entities related to election administration, including public posting of participation details.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for terms including 'donation', 'election administration', 'election officers', 'entity', 'foreign donations', 'foreign national', 'government entity', and 'state officer'.

FISCAL

Added restrictions on government entities accepting funds or services for election administration from non-government sources, with exceptions for de minimis value.

TIMELINE

Added specific timelines for challenger and watcher designation, including four business days before election and Monday before election deadlines.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions for reporting election law violations by challengers and watchers to election judges or election authority.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2025

Committee

Second read and referred: Local Government, Elections and Pensions(S)

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 99 NOES: 48 PRESENT: 4

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Perfected with Amendments (H) - HA 1, HA 2, HA 3 adopted

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Adopted (H)

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 7 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

Referred: Rules - Legislative(H)

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 7 NOES: 3 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Committee

Referred: Commerce(H)

lower

Jan 8, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Read First Time (H)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors