SB 1693 modifies Missouri's firearm laws by creating new offenses for unlawful transfer and possession. It prohibits selling, giving, or delivering firearms to individuals who are prohibited under Section 571.070 - such as felons, people on the No Fly List, those intoxicated, or members of terrorism groups - while adding specific rules for transfers to minors without parental consent. Unlawful transfer to prohibited individuals is a class E felony, while other violations (like reckless sales to minors) are class A misdemeanors. Unlawful possession of a firearm by prohibited individuals (e.g., felons, fugitives, or terrorism group members) is a class C felony, escalating to class B if there’s a prior conviction. The bill does not apply to antique firearms.
SB 1689 modifies a fire protection district's authority to charge service fees for emergency responses. It specifically allows districts to bill businesses or individuals residing *outside* the district (but receiving services within it) for actual costs of fire or emergency responses, with caps of $100 per fire call or $250 per hour (or proportional for quarters). Residents within the district and businesses with a local address are exempt from these charges. The bill clarifies this fee mechanism without creating new services or altering existing fire protection obligations.
This bill revises Missouri's condemnation laws by replacing outdated sections with new provisions. It defines "beginning farmer or rancher" as someone operating a farm for ≤10 consecutive years, and creates "heritage value" (50% of fair market value) for family-owned property held ≥20 years. Key mechanisms include requiring 15 days' written notice before surveying land, mandating cleanup and restoration of vegetation/stumps after easement use, and specifying how fair market value is calculated for partial takings. These changes directly affect landowners (especially farmers and family property owners) and entities conducting condemnations, such as governments or utilities. The law focuses on procedural transparency and property value protections during land acquisition.
SB 1697 - This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Anti-Epstein Child Protection Act". This act provides that the death penalty may be sought for the offenses of statutory rape in the first degree and sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree. If the death penalty is not waived by the state, the trial shall proceed in two stages before the same trier of fact. In the first stage, the trier shall determine whether the defendant is guilty. In the second stage, if the trier found the defendant guilty of statutory rape in the first degree or sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree, the trier shall assess and determine the punishment. If the trier finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is intellectually disabled, there is a mitigation of punishment, or the trier decides not to declare a punishment of death, then a punishment at life imprisonment without eligibility for parole shall be declared. If the trier is a jury and it is unable to decide upon the punishment, the judge shall determine the punishment. This act shall only apply to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2026. This act is identical to SB 196 (2025) and SB 951 (2024). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
SB 1699 overhauls Missouri's condemnation laws by replacing outdated provisions with new rules to protect property owners. It defines "beginning farmers" (those with ≤10 years of farming experience) and establishes "heritage value" at 50% of fair market value for family-owned properties held 20+ years. The bill requires condemnors to provide 15 days' notice before surveys and mandates they repair property damage after easement work. These changes directly affect agricultural landowners, beginning farmers, and families with long-term property ownership.
SB 1695 protects the confidentiality of peer review committee discussions and findings for health care professionals like doctors, nurses, and dentists by making them generally inadmissible as evidence in court cases about patient care. Exceptions include cases where a committee is involved in license revocation or when state licensing boards conduct investigations, as they can still subpoena relevant information. The bill also grants immunity from civil lawsuits to committee members and hospital officials for good-faith peer review activities. This change aims to encourage open peer reviews without legal exposure in most circumstances.
SB 1696 authorizes the University of Missouri Board of Curators to own, operate, or manage hospitals and health care facilities across Missouri. The bill allows the Board to acquire health care entities, assets, or services through purchases, leases, or partnerships. It specifically exempts the Board from penalties under Section 416.051 when operating in 25 designated counties, including Boone, Cole, and Jackson. This change enables the University of Missouri to expand its health care services without facing certain regulatory penalties in those counties.
HB 2809 exempts rental fees for lots, buildings, and amenities at campgrounds from both state and local sales taxes. It specifically applies to properties with five or more campsites used for recreation, camping, travel, or seasonal stays, including recreational vehicle parks. This tax exemption directly affects campground operators by reducing their taxable revenue on these rental services. The bill amends existing tax law to add this exemption without changing other existing tax rules. (Note: The bill was introduced on January 7, 2026, and is pending further action.)
HB 2903 modifies the governance structure for public hospital boards of trustees. It specifies that elected trustees serve terms of one to five years (determined by lot), replaces previous term rules for trustees elected before 1995, and prohibits trustees from having conflicts of interest (e.g., being a current or recent hospital employee). The bill clarifies the board's authority to manage hospital funds, operations, and contracts - including leasing facilities with county commission approval in certain counties - while requiring reimbursement for expenses only with board approval. These changes directly affect public hospital boards, county commissions, and hospital staff in counties operating public hospitals.
HB 3108 creates a legal framework for home-based producers of specific non-hazardous foods (like baked goods, jams, and dried herbs) to sell directly to consumers without complying with most state health and food safety regulations. It exempts these "cottage food production operations" from commercial food establishment rules, requiring only clear labeling stating the food is "not inspected." The bill restricts sales to in-state transactions only (no interstate commerce or online sales outside the state), prohibits selling meat except under strict conditions (e.g., at farms or farmers' markets), and mandates that sellers inform customers the food lacks certification. This directly affects small home producers and end consumers purchasing these uninspected items.
HB 2126 updates how school districts evaluate and manage contracts for building-level administrators (like principals and assistant principals). It requires districts to conduct ongoing, research-based performance evaluations using clear standards, maintain written evaluations in personnel files, and provide written renewal notices by March 1st (with automatic one-year renewal if missed). The bill also protects administrators with five+ years of service by requiring "cause" (such as poor performance or policy violations) for non-renewal, mandating written reasons for non-renewal within 10 days, and allowing a school board hearing with due process rights. These changes directly affect school administrators and districts in their evaluation and contract management procedures.
HB 2197 modifies how school principals, assistant principals, and superintendents are evaluated and contracted. It requires annual performance evaluations using student growth data and research-based tools, with written evaluations maintained in personnel files. The bill mandates school districts to notify building-level administrators of contract renewal or nonrenewal by February 15, with automatic renewal if notice is missed, and restricts nonrenewal to specific "for cause" reasons like poor performance or policy violations. Administrators facing nonrenewal gain due process rights, including written reasons, a hearing, and a 30-day school board decision.
