SB 1197 Missouri Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Enacts the "Alexander Whalen Safe Highways Act" pertaining to wrong-way vehicle detection systems

The provided context does not include specific details about SB 1197's provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties beyond its title and abstract. While the bill establishes the "Alexander Whalen Safe Highways Act" related to wrong-way vehicle detection systems, no concrete policy changes, implementation requirements, or target locations are described in the available information. Without additional details on how the detection systems would be deployed, who would be responsible for compliance, or which highways would be impacted, a factual summary cannot be generated. The bill's current status (prefiled, first reading) indicates it is in early stages but does not clarify its substantive content.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Last action Apr 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

4863S.01I - Introduced Senate Committee Substitute - Committee Version · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was updated from an introduced version to a Senate Committee Substitute, which involved reformatting the text and significantly modifying the implementation timeline and priorities. The most important change is the replacement of a mandatory deadline to install systems by March 1, 2027, with a flexible approach that prioritizes a specific intersection and defers other installations until funding is available or approved. Additionally, the requirement for the department to evaluate driver notification systems was removed, while new requirements were added to notify emergency responders and to produce annual reports starting in 2028.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's implementation requirements changed from a fixed schedule to a flexible, funding-dependent process, and the scope of safety evaluations was narrowed by removing the driver notification requirement while adding an emergency responder notification requirement.
TIMELINE

The mandatory deadline to begin implementing wrong-way vehicle detection systems was removed and replaced with a flexible timeline dependent on funding or director approval.

REQUIREMENT

The specific priority list for installing systems at multiple interchanges was replaced with a single priority for the intersection of Interstate 64 and Jefferson Avenue.

The requirement for the department to evaluate systems to notify other drivers about wrong-way drivers was deleted.

A new requirement was added for the department to evaluate systems to notify emergency responders about wrong-way drivers.

New requirements were added to produce an annual report on system implementation and effectiveness starting December 31, 2027.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Apr 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
SCS Voted Do Pass S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee (4863S.02C)
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Hearing Conducted S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee
upper
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Prefiled
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of David Gregory
David Gregory
RRepublican
MO
15