HB 1870 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies provisions relating to garnishments

HB 1870 modifies Missouri's garnishment laws by increasing the value limits for property debtors can keep exempt from creditors. It raises the household goods exemption to $17,000 (from $3,000) and tools of trade exemption to $6,000 (from $3,000), while also increasing vehicle and mobile home exemptions. The bill reduces the jewelry exemption to $1,700 (from $5,000) and adjusts other categories like life insurance benefits. This directly affects Missouri residents facing debt collection, allowing them to retain more personal assets during garnishment proceedings.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Signed May 6, 2026

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What changed between versions

Perfected → Senate Substitute (Senate Floor Substitute) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Missouri's garnishment laws to increase the dollar amounts of property that debtors can protect from seizure and introduces a new, permanent exemption for professional tools. The specific dollar thresholds for items like household goods, jewelry, and vehicles were raised, and a new exemption was added for implements of trade. Additionally, the bill clarifies that debtors have a constitutional right against self-incrimination during court examinations, removing the previous requirement for prosecutors to grant immunity.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of protected property by increasing exemption limits and adding a new category for professional tools, while also broadening the legal protections for debtors during court proceedings.

ELIGIBILITY

Increased the dollar limits for exempt property, raising the cap on household goods from $3,000 to $15,000, jewelry from $5,000 to $1,700, and other property from $6,000 to $1,700.

Added a new exemption for professional tools, books, or implements of trade up to $3,000 in value.

Increased the exemption limit for motor vehicles from $3,000 to $5,000 and adjusted the mobile home exemption from $5,000 to $12,000.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the requirement for prosecutors to grant immunity with a statement that debtors have a constitutional privilege against self-incrimination during examinations.

TIMELINE

Removed the specific start date of April 1, 2029, for future adjustments to exemption amounts, leaving the mechanism open for ongoing updates.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 6, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor (G)

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 142 NOES: 8 PRESENT: 0

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 6 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Committee

Referred: Fiscal Review(H)

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Read and Passed (S) - AYES: 26 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

upper

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

SS Adopted (S)

upper

Apr 15, 2026

Introduced

SS Offered

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass (S)

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Voted Do Pass (S)

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Second read and referred: Insurance and Banking(S)

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 137 NOES: 9 PRESENT: 0

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Perfected with Amendments (H) - HA 1, adopted

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Adopted (H)

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 5 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 15 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

Referred: Financial Institutions(H)

lower

Dec 1, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled (H)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors