HB 2297 allows property owners (or their contractors) to enter a neighbor's land up to 10 feet along a shared boundary to build, maintain, or repair a fence enclosing animal areas, without facing trespass charges. This applies only to fence work directly on the boundary line, and owners remain liable for any damage caused to crops or property beyond the 10-foot limit. The bill excludes utility companies, railroads, and accredited zoos/sanctuaries from this provision, and explicitly prohibits entering buildings on neighboring property. It directly affects rural landowners and fence contractors who need to work on boundary lines.
HB 2335 requires Missouri school districts to establish written discipline policies that include corporal punishment procedures (with parental written consent required) and specify how to handle student violence, disabilities, and confidentiality. It mandates annual training for all school employees on these policies, including handling school violence and student education plans. The bill also requires schools to report specific violent crimes and drug offenses to law enforcement and restricts suspended students from being within 1,000 feet of school property unless under adult supervision or meeting specific exceptions. This directly affects school employees, administrators, students (especially those with disabilities or involved in discipline incidents), and school safety protocols.
HB 2422 revises fees for recording land deeds and documents. It adds a $2 fee per document to a local recorder's fund (for record preservation) and a $3 fee split between a land survey fund ($1) and housing trust fund ($3). The bill also authorizes Missouri's Department of Agriculture to set user fees for its services through administrative rules, replacing previous fixed fee structures.
HB 2426 establishes that parents have fundamental rights to direct their child's education, healthcare, and upbringing without government interference. It grants specific rights including choosing schools (public, private, homeschool, or faith-based), accessing educational and medical records, consenting to medical treatments (except abortions, which require parental consent), and opting children out of school data collection. The bill prohibits government restrictions unless necessary to serve a compelling interest, with explicit exceptions for life-threatening medical care and child safety. It applies to all state and local laws and allows parents to seek legal remedies if their rights are violated.
HB 2436 changes Missouri's animal impoundment law by requiring law enforcement to obtain a court warrant with probable cause before entering private property to take neglected or abused animals into custody. It mandates a 30-day disposition hearing after impoundment, prohibits sterilizing animals before that hearing (unless necessary for health), and requires placement in approved care facilities. Owners may prevent euthanasia by posting a bond covering 30 days of boarding costs after the hearing, though authorities may humanely euthanize animals found diseased or disabled beyond recovery. The bill also specifies that owners aren't liable for animal care costs if the court finds no neglect, and facilities must provide proper care meeting state standards.
HB 3308 exempts certain business purchases from Missouri's sales tax, directly affecting manufacturers, defense contractors, and commercial laundries. It removes tax on materials, equipment, and utilities used in manufacturing, processing, mining, and producing goods, including specific exemptions for nuclear security enterprises (with a 2034 expiration) and large-scale commercial laundries processing over 500 pounds of textiles hourly. The bill also covers defense contractors fulfilling U.S. government contracts and projects under certain state development laws. These exemptions apply to tangible personal property, utilities, and services used in qualifying operations, reducing operational costs for eligible businesses.
HB 2927 establishes specific requirements for settlement offers in personal injury, bodily injury, or wrongful death cases involving insurance. To be considered valid, a "time-limited" settlement demand must be in writing, sent via certified mail, remain open for at least 90 days, and include eight key details like injury descriptions, policy limits, and release terms. Claimants must also attach medical/employment records with proper authorizations for insurers to access them. This bill directly affects claimants making settlement offers, insurers evaluating them, and courts reviewing whether offers were reasonable in lawsuits alleging extracontractual damages.
HB 1797 updates Missouri's accounting laws by revising definitions and licensing requirements for certified public accountants (CPAs). It replaces outdated terms with new definitions (like "attest services" and "peer review") and requires CPA exam applicants to hold a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration starting June 2021. This directly affects CPAs, accounting firms, and individuals seeking licensure in Missouri by clarifying professional standards and raising educational thresholds for exam eligibility. The bill focuses on modernizing regulatory language and alignment with national accounting standards, without changing core practice rules.
HB 2151 modifies Missouri's Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant program to provide state-funded grants for residents pursuing education or training in high-demand occupations. It creates eligibility for "eligible apprentices" (in approved U.S. Department of Labor programs) and "eligible students" (25+ or without recent education) who meet income limits ($100,000 joint/$50,000 individual, adjusted annually for inflation), Missouri residency, and program requirements. Grants cover related costs like tools, books, and uniforms, with funding capped at four semesters or a bachelor's degree. The Higher Education Coordinating Board administers the program, designating eligible fields annually based on workforce shortages.
HB 2142 modifies Missouri's tax credit program for motion media productions (like films, TV shows, video games, and VR content) by increasing the base tax credit rate to 20% of qualifying expenses and adding up to 5% more for specific criteria, such as filming in Missouri, hiring Missouri residents, or promoting tourism. It directly affects production companies filming in Missouri that meet defined project size and content requirements (excluding news, ads, or political content). Key provisions include annual spending caps ($8 million/year for film/series through 2026, rising to $16 million/year after 2026), mandatory employment of Missouri residents/veterans based on project size, and requirements for promotional materials. The bill aims to incentivize local production while ensuring credits are tied to economic impact in Missouri.
HB 1625 modifies drug trafficking penalties by adjusting quantity thresholds for first- and second-degree offenses. It lowers the fentanyl threshold for enhanced penalties from 20mg to 14mg and adds stricter punishments for trafficking near schools, housing, or hotels (e.g., within 2,000 feet of schools or public housing). This bill directly affects individuals trafficking drugs above these new limits, with harsher penalties for larger quantities or offenses in sensitive locations. The changes update existing drug laws to align with current public safety concerns regarding dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamines.
This bill (HB 2481) corrects a misleading title: it does **not** restrict SNAP food purchases but instead requires proof of immigration status for SNAP and other public benefits. It mandates that applicants provide documentary evidence of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or lawful presence (e.g., driver’s license documents or federal immigration status verification) at application and during eligibility reviews. The bill requires state agencies to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to confirm immigration status, with temporary benefits allowed via sworn affidavit for up to 90 days or until birth certificate verification is complete. It directly affects immigrants applying for SNAP, housing assistance, or other state/local public benefits requiring immigration status verification.
