SB 974: Modifies provisions relating to compensation for services rendered in veteran benefits matters - Missouri

2/11/2026 - SA 4 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Carter)--5639S03.01S) 2/11/2026 - Adopted → 2/11/2026 - SA 5 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Beck)--(5639S03.06S) 2/11/2026 - Adopted · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace a tax-related provision with a new program supporting Missouri National Guard members who become living organ donors. The change shifts the bill's focus from tax code adjustments to establishing a paid leave and financial benefits program for service members undergoing organ donation.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from amending tax liability calculations to creating a specific benefits program for National Guard members participating in living organ donation.

SCOPE

Removed a section that modified how Missouri calculates resident individual income tax by adding back federal tax refunds and adjusting net operating loss carryforwards.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for key terms including 'Department', 'Living donation period', 'Member', and 'Program' related to the Missouri National Guard.

ELIGIBILITY

Established eligibility criteria requiring members to be in Troop Program Unit or Individual Ready Reserve status, in good standing, and lacking employer-paid leave for donation.

FISCAL

Created a new 'MO GIVES Fund' to finance paid leave, per diem allowances, and housing benefits for qualifying organ donors.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that the department issue living donor medical orders guaranteeing up to 45 days of paid leave and exempting members from using accrued annual or medical leave.

2/11/2026 - SA 1 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Nurrenbern)--(5639S03.02S) 2/11/2026 - Adopted → 2/11/2026 - SA 2 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Lewis)--(5639S03.05S) 2/11/2026 - Adopted · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift its focus from providing direct pay and allowances to Missouri National Guard members to establishing a grant program for military family relief. The changes also introduce new provisions for a counterdrug ribbon and create a revolving fund to finance counterdrug operations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely compensating active-duty militia members to providing financial assistance to Missouri National Guard members, their families, and federal reserve members residing in Missouri.

SCOPE

The primary purpose of the bill changed from compensating service members with pay and allowances to authorizing the Adjutant General to make grants and provide financial assistance from a specific relief fund.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for financial assistance was broadened to include not only Missouri National Guard members but also their families and Missouri residents who serve in federal reserve components.

FISCAL

A new 'Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Revolving Fund' was created to receive federal asset forfeiture money, which will be administered by the Adjutant General to support counterdrug activities.

REQUIREMENT

New provisions were added to establish a 'Missouri National Guard counterdrug program ribbon' for members participating in counterdrug efforts, including rules for awarding the ribbon to eligible personnel or their next of kin.

DEFINITION

The bill's title and enacting clause were updated to reflect the new focus on 'military affairs' and the establishment of the relief fund rather than compensation for services.

2/11/2026 - SS for SCS S offered (Black)--(5639S.03F) 2/11/2026 - Adopted, as amended → 2/11/2026 - SA 1 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Nurrenbern)--(5639S03.02S) 2/11/2026 - Adopted · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from a Senate Substitute to a Senate Amendment, changing its procedural status. The substantive text was removed and replaced with instructions to amend the bill's title and enacting clause, while deleting the original section that regulated compensation for veterans' benefits services.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from establishing a new section regulating fees for veterans' benefits assistance to merely amending the bill's title and enacting clause.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the entire new section that prohibited contingent fees, restricted international call centers, and required specific disclosures for veterans' benefits service providers.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document type from 'Senate Substitute' to 'Senate Amendment' and updated the bill number identifier.

Added instructions to strike the phrase 'compensation for services rendered in veterans benefits matters' and replace it with 'benefits for military members'.

5639S.03P - Perfected → 2/11/2026 - SS for SCS S offered (Black)--(5639S.03F) 2/11/2026 - Adopted, as amended · 10 edits

MAJOR

The bill was completely rewritten to shift its focus from repealing old military funding and support laws to establishing a new, strict regulatory framework for private compensation in veterans' benefits matters. The new text defines what constitutes a 'veterans benefits matter' and imposes strict limits on how private advisors can charge fees, requiring written agreements, prohibiting upfront fees, and banning the use of medical professionals for secondary exams. It also mandates clear disclosures to clients stating that the business is not affiliated with the government.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from repealing existing sections across multiple chapters to adding a single new section (42.028) specifically regulating private compensation for veterans' services.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'compensation', 'person', and 'veterans benefits matter' to clarify the scope of the new regulations.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that service providers must sign a written agreement outlining fee terms before rendering services.

Added a prohibition on receiving compensation for claims filed within one year of active-duty release.

Added a cap on compensation, limiting fees to no more than five times the monthly increase in benefits awarded.

Added a ban on utilizing medical professionals with whom the provider has a business relationship for secondary medical exams.

Added a mandatory disclosure requirement where providers must orally and in writing inform clients that their business is not sponsored by the VA or Veterans' Commission.

Added restrictions on data handling, prohibiting the use of international call centers and direct access to personal medical or financial login credentials.

ENFORCEMENT

Added enforcement language stating that violations constitute an unlawful practice under existing consumer protection statutes.

FISCAL

Removed provisions related to repealing old military family relief fund sections and establishing grant criteria for National Guard members.

SCOPE

Removed sections regarding pay and allowances for National Guard members and authorization for counter-drug operations.

5639S.02C - Senate Committee Substitute → 5639S.03P - Perfected · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was transformed from a consumer protection measure regulating fees for veterans' benefits advice into a comprehensive military affairs package that repeals and replaces multiple existing sections. The new version establishes a formal grant-making process for military families, sets pay standards for National Guard members, and authorizes the Governor to deploy troops for federal counter-drug operations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly from regulating private-sector veterans' advisors to covering military compensation, family relief funds, and state-military cooperation with federal law enforcement.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions regulating compensation, disclosures, and ethical standards for private veterans' benefits advisors.

Authorized the Governor to request and order National Guard volunteers for federal counter-drug operations and law enforcement assistance.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility criteria for grants from the Missouri military family relief fund for National Guard members and reservists.

REQUIREMENT

Established new requirements for a panel to set grant criteria and rules for National Guard pay and allowances.

5639S.01I - Introduced → 5639S.02C - Senate Committee Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to replace the original version with a Senate Committee Substitute, which adds a specific definition for 'veterans benefits matter' to exclude housing loans under 38 U.S.C. Section 3710. This change clarifies that the bill's regulations on compensation and disclosures do not apply to VA home loan services, narrowing the scope of activities covered by the new rules.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by explicitly excluding VA housing loans from the definition of 'veterans benefits matter', meaning the compensation and disclosure restrictions in this bill do not apply to those specific services.

DEFINITION

Added a definition stating that 'veterans benefits matter' does not include housing loans under 38 U.S.C. Section 3710.

Modifies provisions relating to compensation for services rendered in veteran benefits matters

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