Missouri Bills

HB 2876 modifies Missouri's trial process for first-degree murder cases where the death penalty is sought but not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, the jury determines guilt only; second, if convicted, the jury decides sentencing based on specific aggravating circumstances and mitigating evidence. The bill mandates that juries must find aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt to impose the death penalty, or sentence to life without parole if they find intellectual disability, insufficient mitigating evidence, or choose not to impose death. This directly affects defendants charged with first-degree murder in Missouri and changes how capital sentencing is conducted. The law applies to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.

HB 2893 changes where school board candidates file their paperwork, requiring them to submit with the county election authority instead of the school board for districts entirely within one county. It also allows elections to be skipped if the number of candidates equals the number of open seats, with candidates automatically assuming office without a vote. This applies to school districts in single counties, with specific filing rules for larger urban districts (e.g., those in cities over 130,000 inhabitants). The bill aims to streamline candidate filings and reduce election costs for qualifying districts.

HB 2882 creates a state tax credit allowing Missouri taxpayers to reduce their income tax liability by 70% of donations (up to $50,000 annually) to nonprofit organizations providing mental health services to veterans. The credit applies to contributions made to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations meeting specific criteria, including offering comprehensive mental health care through licensed professionals. Taxpayers can carry forward unused credits to the next tax year but cannot claim credits for donations under $100. The program expires after six years unless reauthorized by the legislature.

HCR 25 is a symbolic resolution expressing Missouri's support for ending motorcycle profiling, where law enforcement stops riders based solely on their motorcycle or gear without legal cause. It directs Missouri law enforcement agencies to include statements condemning this practice in their written policies and training materials, and encourages collaboration between police and the motorcycle community. The resolution also urges increased public awareness about the issue, which surveys show affects many riders nationwide. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally supports existing efforts to address the problem.

HB 2909 requires public schools to include specific human sexuality and development instruction for students, directly affecting K-12 students in the state. The bill mandates medically accurate lessons covering abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception effectiveness, emotional consequences of teen sex, conflict management, and online safety. Crucially, it requires schools to show two specific videos during instruction: a fetal development ultrasound and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video depicting human gestation. Parents must be notified of the curriculum content and can opt their child out of any portion of the instruction. The bill also prohibits school personnel from providing abortion-related materials or services.

HB 2907 modifies outdoor advertising rules near highways in Missouri. It permits signs within 660 feet of interstate, federal-aid primary, or National Highway System roads in industrial/commercial zones or unzoned commercial areas, while prohibiting rotating lights, flashing displays (except scoreboards), and signs that obstruct traffic views. The bill sets strict limits: maximum sign size of 800 square feet (30 ft tall, 72 ft long), requires 1,400 feet between signs on the same highway side, and mandates proper lighting shielding to prevent driver glare. These rules directly affect outdoor advertising companies and property owners near designated highways.

HB 2914 establishes new standards for teacher training in Missouri to improve early literacy instruction. It requires all teacher education programs to include specific evidence-based training in reading components (like phonics, fluency, and vocabulary) for educators preparing to teach kindergarten through fifth grade. The bill creates the Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation (MABEP) to advise on teacher training and mandates annual reviews of programs starting in 2027 to ensure compliance. It also creates a dedicated fund to reimburse school districts for literacy-focused initiatives, including teacher training, tutoring, and evidence-based reading materials. This bill directly affects teacher preparation programs, public school educators, and elementary students statewide.

HB 2900 expands Missouri's scholarship program to allow eligible students with disabilities or from low-income families to use state funds for private school tuition. It defines "qualified students" as those with IEPs/504 plans or from households earning under 300% of free lunch income, and requires participating schools (including private, charter, and virtual schools) to not discriminate based on protected characteristics. The bill ensures public schools retain state funding for students who leave for scholarship programs for up to five years. This maintains public school funding stability while expanding school choice options under specific eligibility criteria.

HB 2911 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to create a tuition award program for eligible public safety workers. It provides up to 100% of resident tuition for associate or bachelor's degrees in approved fields (e.g., criminal justice for police, fire science for firefighters) to personnel with at least six years of service who hold current licenses/certificates and meet admission requirements. Dependents of personnel with ten years of service qualify for similar awards. Applicants must first apply for all other federal and state financial aid before accessing this tuition award.

HB 2916 designates September as "Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month" in Missouri. It encourages all Missourians to participate in events raising awareness about brain aneurysms, which affect nearly 200,000 people annually. This commemorative bill has no funding or regulatory provisions - it solely aims to increase public knowledge about the condition through community engagement during September. The bill is currently in its early legislative stages, having been introduced on January 12, 2026.

HB 2905 establishes Missouri's control over federally managed lands within the state, requiring federal agencies to obtain state legislative consent before acquiring land or implementing new regulations. It mandates public hearings in affected counties for land changes, gives state law enforcement primary authority for resource enforcement, and prohibits federal officers from issuing citations for minor offenses without state coordination. The bill also requires federal agencies to share 70% of revenue from activities on these lands with Missouri for community projects, road improvements, and economic development, while asserting state jurisdiction over water, wildlife, and mineral rights. A state-federal dispute resolution board must mediate conflicts before new federal regulations take effect.

HB 2919 updates Missouri's regulations for excursion gambling boats by defining the Missouri Gaming Commission's authority to license operators, set standards, and enforce rules. It requires 80% minimum payout rates on gambling devices, mandates cashless wagering systems (using tokens/chips), and gives patrons the option to opt out of marketing data collection. The bill also establishes a $2 admission fee (split between the Gaming Commission and the local city/county), requires affirmative action plans for minority employment at license renewals, and prohibits limits on wager amounts or losses. These changes directly affect boat operators, licensees, and patrons using Missouri's riverboat gambling facilities.