HB 2536 repeals two existing Missouri law sections (1.020 and 163.048) and replaces them with five new sections defining terms for legal use. The bill specifically adds definitions for "Female" (describing reproductive anatomy related to egg production) and "Male" (describing reproductive anatomy related to sperm production), alongside standard legal terms like "certified mail" and "county attorney." This is a definitional bill, not a substantive policy change, as it establishes terminology for use in other statutes rather than creating new protections or programs. The bill does not directly affect any specific group or mandate new actions beyond clarifying existing legal language.
HB 2741 requires commercial drivers applying for a license to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete reports. It makes operating a commercial vehicle without this proficiency a class D misdemeanor (first offense) or class B misdemeanor (repeat), with fines up to $1,000 for drivers and $3,000 for carriers. Drivers must achieve proficiency before operating commercially again, and carriers face penalties for employing non-compliant drivers. The bill directly affects foreign applicants and commercial drivers seeking or holding licenses in the state. It modifies existing requirements to add language proficiency as a mandatory qualification for commercial driver's licenses.
HB 2096 modifies how Missouri allocates state funds to regional planning commissions. It requires a 50-50 matching fund system, meaning each commission must provide local funds equal to the state funds received. The bill sets specific annual funding caps: $130,000 for the East-West Gateway and Mid-America Regional Councils, and $50,000 for each of 19 other commissions (including South Central Ozark, Ozark Foothills, and Missouri Valley). Starting July 1, 2027, these caps will automatically adjust yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill directly affects all regional planning commissions receiving state funds under these provisions.
HB 1730 primarily defines "firearm silencer" (or "firearm suppressor") as any device designed to muffle firearm noise, updating legal terminology under existing statutes. This bill does not change current regulations on suppressor possession or use but clarifies the definition for enforcement and legal consistency. It directly affects law enforcement, courts, and anyone interacting with firearm laws in the state. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, read first time) and focuses solely on definitional precision, not policy changes.
HB 1736 modifies county sales tax rules for park funds to allow stormwater management projects within parks. It permits counties to use 50% of their allocated tax revenue for stormwater projects that either acquire park land/greenways or enhance natural park features without reducing park benefits. This affects counties and municipalities receiving these funds, which must still align with park purposes. The bill expands existing park funding uses without changing overall tax allocation percentages.
HB 1790 modifies how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) manage property tax levies and ballot measures. It requires ballot measures about property tax changes to be labeled only with numbers or letters (not descriptive terms) and mandates that tax proposals clearly state the dollar impact per $100,000 of property value. The bill also establishes rules for adjusting tax rates when property values change, ensuring local governments maintain consistent revenue levels without exceeding voter-approved limits. These changes directly affect local governments that set property taxes and voters who decide on tax measures.
HB 1812 requires the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to send monthly reports of death certificates to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State then notifies local election authorities, who must remove those names from voter rolls. This bill directly affects deceased voters by automatically updating voter registration records. The key mechanism is a monthly data-sharing process between state health and election offices to maintain accurate voter rolls. The bill does not change voting eligibility or create new policies, but establishes a routine procedure for removing deceased individuals from voter lists.
This bill's official abstract states it "modifies provisions relating to property taxes," but provides no specific details about the changes, affected groups, or mechanisms. Without additional information on which tax provisions are being altered (e.g., exemptions, rates, assessment methods), no concrete policy changes can be described. The bill is currently prefiled and has not yet been read in committee (as of the latest action on 2026-01-07). A full summary cannot be provided with the limited context available.
HB 3329 restructures how Missouri administers four economic development funds: the Industrial Development and Reserve Fund, Industrial Development Guarantee Fund, Export Finance Fund, and Jobs Now Fund. It specifies eligible funding sources (like state appropriations, bond proceeds, grants, and repayments), requires funds to be kept separate from state treasury money, and mandates that $12 million annually be allocated to the Jobs Now Fund from increased state revenue. The bill directly affects businesses applying for loans or grants through these funds and economic development agencies managing them. Key provisions include rules for fund investments, separate account creation, and the board’s authority to issue revenue bonds and manage disbursements under sections 100.250-100.297.
HB 3405 modifies Missouri's tax treatment for partnerships and S corporations (referred to as "affected business entities"). It imposes a new tax on these entities doing business in Missouri, calculating the tax by adjusting their federal income (after state deductions) or applying a 20% deduction to ordinary business income for tax years starting in 2027. The tax applies to income sourced within Missouri, with losses allowed to be carried forward to future tax years. This directly affects Missouri-based partnerships and S corporations, particularly those with members holding interests through multiple tiers.
HB 2913 provides legal immunity to teachers who intervene in school violence to protect themselves or students. Teachers gain immunity if they follow school procedures or act in good faith with a reasonable belief their actions are justified under self-defense law. Schools also receive immunity for teachers' actions when following this law, but immunity does not cover willful misconduct or gross negligence. The bill prohibits school districts from creating policies that prevent teachers from intervening in violent incidents.
HB 2682 renames Missouri's "Student Religious Liberties Act" to the "SPEAKS Act" and requires public schools to protect students' expression of religious, political, or ideological views. It prohibits schools from discriminating against such expression in assignments, clubs, prayer activities, or clothing - requiring grading based solely on academic standards and equal access for student groups. Schools must also provide disclaimers clarifying that student speech does not represent district endorsement. The bill explicitly preserves schools' authority to maintain order and ban unprotected speech like threats or harassment.
