HB 3347 requires Missouri political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and local governments) to follow specific steps before entering legal contracts where lawyers are paid only if they win the case (contingent fees). It mandates public meetings to explain the need for such contracts, written findings justifying why regular hourly-rate contracts aren’t feasible, and approval from the state Attorney General. The Attorney General can reject contracts that conflict with state legal positions or professional conduct rules, and non-compliant contracts risk dismissal in court. This bill directly affects local governments seeking outside legal help for lawsuits or legal matters.
HB 3289 establishes a statewide court automation fund and committee to modernize Missouri's judicial record-keeping systems. It creates a fund financed by court surcharges, grants, and sales of electronic services, managed by a committee including judges, court staff, bar members, and legislative representatives. The bill requires all court records to be stored electronically with strict security standards (violations carry misdemeanor or felony penalties) and mandates annual progress reports to legislative committees. Municipal courts can join the system by adopting specific ordinances and agreements with the state, with costs covered by the fund.
HB 3460 (the "Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act") requires hospitals and affiliated health care facilities to provide specific medical care to sexual assault victims. It mandates that facilities: (1) verbally inform victims about emergency contraception, (2) immediately provide the full regimen if requested, and (3) offer sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment. The bill also establishes standards for forensic examinations, requiring trained providers or telehealth support for non-SANE staff, with limited waivers for technological barriers. This directly affects hospitals, health care facilities, and sexual assault victims across the state, standardizing emergency medical responses to sexual assault.
HB 3292 creates Missouri's "Motivational Boot Camp Incarceration Program" within the Department of Corrections, targeting individuals aged 17-22 with two prior nonviolent convictions who receive a third nonviolent conviction (excluding serious offenses like murder or rape). The program requires a two-year commitment involving rigorous physical activity, counseling to address criminal behavior, and strict discipline, with successful completion leading to expungement of the criminal record. Failure to complete the program results in the original jail or prison sentence being imposed. The program is set to expire six years after implementation unless renewed by the legislature.
HB 2708 updates rules for prohibited items in prisons and jails. It specifically bans controlled substances (except prescribed), intoxicating liquor, weapons, unauthorized electronic devices (like cell phones), and other items banned by facility rules. Violations carry penalties ranging from misdemeanors to class B felonies, depending on the item. The bill also adds a new rule: people convicted of bringing certain drugs (alkaloids) can have their records cleared through a specific expungement process, but only if they haven’t previously violated these rules. Facilities must post clear lists of prohibited items for visitors.
HB 2886 updates Missouri's broadband grant program to fund projects expanding high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved areas. It defines "unserved" areas as lacking 500 Mbps download/upload speeds and "underserved" areas as lacking 750 Mbps speeds, requiring new projects to prioritize 500 Mbps or higher speeds (matching FCC standards). Grants must be used exclusively for broadband infrastructure, with strict repayment rules if funds are misused. The program expires in 2030 unless renewed by the legislature.
HB 2923, titled the "Homestead Improvement Property Tax Relief Act," would exempt qualifying improvements to a homeowner's primary residence (homestead) from real property taxation. This bill directly affects homeowners who make eligible improvements, such as renovations or additions, to their primary residence. The key mechanism is that these qualifying improvements would be excluded from the taxable value of the property, potentially lowering annual property tax bills. The exemption applies to improvements meeting criteria defined in the bill, though specific details of qualifying improvements are not outlined in the provided context.
HB 2968 modifies Missouri's judicial circuit structure by reorganizing judgeships in specific counties. It primarily converts two associate judge positions (treatment court and family court commissioners) in the 23rd judicial district (Jackson County) into full circuit judge positions effective January 1, 2007, adding two new divisions (5 and 6). The bill also adjusts election schedules for judges in multiple districts, including setting new election years for divisions in Jackson, Clay, and other counties. These changes streamline court operations by formalizing existing roles and aligning staffing with county populations. The bill directly affects judicial staffing in 13 Missouri counties across seven judicial districts.
HB 2908 modifies Missouri's Securities Act by adjusting registration fees for securities professionals. It reduces fees for agent applications, renewals, and changes from $50 to $45, while lowering investment adviser representative fees to $45 and setting $200/$100 initial/renewal fees for advisers. The bill establishes limits on future fee increases (max $25 over 8 years) and creates two funds: an Investor Education Fund to combat fraud and a Securities Division Fund to cover operational costs. These changes directly affect broker-dealers, investment advisers, and their representatives who must register in Missouri.
HB 3006 creates a new position called "Coordinator of Federal Funds Recovery" within Missouri's state treasurer's office. The coordinator would monitor all federal funds appropriated to Missouri but never received, attempt to recover these funds through legal actions, and establish a system for state employees to report missing federal funds. This bill directly affects state employees who handle federal funds and the treasurer's office, which would manage the new role. It proposes concrete policy changes to track and pursue unclaimed federal funds through specific, actionable mechanisms.
HB 3028 modifies industrial development corporation (IDC) rules by removing special provisions that applied only to Lewis County. It specifically ends unique director appointment requirements for IDCs in certain counties (third classification without township government, population 10,400-10,500). After August 28, 2026, these counties will follow standard director rules instead of the previous exception. The bill directly affects IDCs operating in those specific counties by ending their special governance structure. This is a procedural change to align Lewis County’s IDC rules with statewide standards.
This bill allows landowners who keep animals to enter neighboring property up to 10 feet along a shared fence line to build, repair, or maintain division fences for animal enclosures. It protects owners from trespass claims during these activities but requires compensation for crop damage caused by the entry. Owners also won’t be liable for clearing vegetation directly on the property boundary line to install fences. The law excludes utilities, railroads, and accredited zoos/parks from these provisions and prohibits entering buildings on adjacent land.
