This bill requires all public high schools to administer career readiness assessments, such as the WorkKeys test (which leads to a nationally recognized career certificate), before students graduate. Students who complete WorkKeys are exempt from taking the ACT assessment. School districts may offer additional free assessments using state funds. It also establishes that WorkKeys certificates can count as credit toward technical college degrees.
HB 3277 authorizes cities meeting specific population and county size criteria (e.g., certain population ranges within defined counties) to impose a 0.5% sales tax for public safety, including funding police, fire, and emergency medical services. Before implementation, the city must seek voter approval through a referendum. All tax revenue must be deposited into a special fund and used exclusively for public safety purposes, with remaining funds after tax termination also dedicated to public safety. The bill applies to multiple qualifying cities across the state, not exclusively to one city like Northwoods.
SB 1662 allows Missouri counties to impose an additional county sales tax (up to 1% combined with other sales taxes, with exceptions for small counties for law enforcement after 2025) only after voter approval through a specific ballot measure. The tax must be used for the purpose approved by voters (e.g., early childhood education), and if designated for early childhood education, revenue must be deposited into a dedicated fund. Counties must follow strict voter approval rules, including a two-year waiting period between proposals, and the tax cannot fund stadiums, zoological facilities, or other prohibited purposes. The bill also establishes distribution rules for large counties and ensures revenue aligns with voter-approved priorities.
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 3469 would allow Shannon County (a county with 7,000-8,000 residents) to impose a 5% surcharge on watercraft rentals (like kayaks and canoes) and short-term lodging (such as hotels, motels, campgrounds, or vacation rentals for stays under 31 days). The tax must be approved by voters in a county election before taking effect, and the revenue would go to the county’s general fund. Businesses collecting these rentals would be required to separately charge and remit the tax to the county. The bill does not change existing taxes but adds this new surcharge subject to voter approval.
HB 3271 modifies how Missouri counties and local governments adjust property tax rates after reassessments. It requires political subdivisions (like cities, school districts, and counties) to revise tax rates for specific property classes to maintain the same total tax revenue as the previous year, excluding new construction and certain property types. The bill sets limits on these adjustments, ensuring rates do not exceed the highest voter-approved rate for that property class or the rate adjusted for inflation (capped at 5% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower). This primarily affects local governments managing property taxes, ensuring revenue stability while respecting voter-approved tax ceilings.
HB 3386 creates the "Natural Resources Protection Fund" in the state treasury to hold pollution-related fees, including air and water permit fees, and new 5% of electric power sales tax revenue. It designates specific subaccounts for air pollution control (funded permanently by the tax transfer starting July 2027) and water pollution administration. The bill changes how unspent funds are handled: balances exceeding prior collections no longer revert to general revenue after 2027, and all interest accrues to the fund. These funds, subject to legislative appropriation, directly support the Department of Natural Resources' pollution control programs and enforcement under relevant statutes.
HB 3526 modifies Missouri's property tax credit program for senior citizens. It creates a credit equal to the difference between a senior's current property tax on their primary home and their tax liability in their "initial credit year," directly affecting Missouri residents aged 65+ (or receiving specific Social Security/veterans benefits) with household income under $75,000 who own their primary residence. Counties must adopt an ordinance or pass a referendum to implement the credit, and the state will reimburse counties for revenue losses. The bill also clarifies how property tax increases from home improvements or annexation affect the credit calculation.
HB 3381 allows county commissions to choose whether to collect late fees and penalties on overdue property taxes. County governments could either completely eliminate these fees for all delinquent accounts or create specific rules determining when fees won't apply. This directly affects property owners who fall behind on tax payments, as their county may no longer impose additional costs for late payment. The bill does not change the requirement to pay property taxes, only the penalty structure for late payments. Counties must adopt this policy through an official order or ordinance.
HJR 189 proposes creating Missouri's "Show-Me Prosperity Fund," a permanent endowment designed to eventually eliminate all state taxes. The fund would grow through investments, and only after the state treasurer confirms sufficient annual investment income covers current tax revenue could it fund tax eliminations. Strict rules prevent using the fund's principal, limit annual withdrawals to 2% of its 5-year average value, and require voter approval for tax changes. This would directly affect all Missouri residents by potentially replacing state income, sales, corporate, and other taxes once the fund meets specific growth targets.
