HR 3876 is a non-binding resolution (not a bill) passed by the Missouri House of Representatives. It recognizes Missouri's severe housing affordability crisis, citing a shortage of 101,905 rental units for extremely low-income renters and 40% of renters spending over 30% of income on housing. The resolution urges the Missouri General Assembly and stakeholders to prioritize policies promoting affordable housing development, including zoning reforms and increased funding, without specifying new laws or funding mechanisms. It directly affects low-income renters, seniors, and families struggling with housing costs across urban and rural Missouri. The resolution serves as a formal call for collaborative action but does not enact any concrete policy changes.
HJR 173 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate Missouri's state individual income tax by 2031 if specific revenue goals are met, requiring the legislature to set a tax rate below 1.4% for any tax year starting in 2031 or later. It also restricts expanding sales and use taxes to new services beyond what was taxed as of January 1, 2015, unless the expansion is explicitly tied to reducing the income tax. To offset revenue changes from any tax base expansion, local governments must adjust property taxes, earnings taxes, or sales tax rates by July 1, 2029, without reducing school funding. The amendment further mandates that sales tax rates be adjusted annually to maintain pre-2029 revenue levels, adjusted for inflation. This amendment requires voter approval before taking effect.
SB 1592 would create a tax credit allowing businesses or individuals to reduce their state tax liability by a portion of their contributions to designated prevention resource centers. These centers likely focus on community prevention services (like health or safety programs), though the bill doesn't specify their exact scope. The credit would directly affect taxpayers making qualifying donations, potentially encouraging financial support for these centers. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee and has not yet been enacted.
HJR 159 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Missouri's State Treasurer to invest state funds in municipal bonds with high credit ratings (among the top five long-term ratings) and other safe, sensible financial instruments. The amendment requires the Treasurer to follow a written investment policy with asset allocation limits, ensures all investments maintain high credit ratings, and restricts maturities (e.g., municipal bonds must mature within five years). It clarifies that the Treasurer's duties are limited to managing state and U.S. government funds, excluding unrelated responsibilities. This amendment must be approved by Missouri voters in a future election after passing the legislature.
HB 3066 modifies St. Louis police compensation and funding rules. It requires the city council to appropriate at least 22-25% of general revenue for police funding (increasing annually), excludes pension costs from this calculation. The bill mandates overtime pay at 1.5x regular rate for patrolmen and sergeants working over 40 hours, allows a $360 annual allowance for non-uniformed officers, and establishes academic/leadership bonuses up to 10% of salary. These provisions directly affect St. Louis police officers (from probationary to sergeant rank) and the Board of Police Commissioners.
HB 5 is a budget bill that allocates state funds for Missouri's Office of Administration, Department of Transportation, Department of Conservation, Department of Public Safety, and Chief Executive's Office for the fiscal year 2025-2026. It specifies exact funding amounts for each department's operations, including programs like the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and the America 250 Missouri Commission. All funds must be spent only as legally required under Missouri's constitution and cannot be diverted to other purposes. This bill provides the financial resources for existing state operations but does not create new policies or programs.
SB 1534 would remove credit and debit card processing fees from the definition of "gross receipts" for sales tax purposes. This means businesses would no longer include these fees - paid to payment processors - as part of their taxable sales revenue. The bill directly affects merchants who accept card payments, reducing their sales tax liability on these fees. The key provision changes how gross receipts are calculated, excluding processing costs from the taxable base. This is a policy change to simplify tax calculations for businesses, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
HB 2019 is the 2026-2027 state budget bill allocating $94.7 million in funding for specific Missouri state agency projects. It directly affects the Department of Natural Resources (funding $6.75 million for park infrastructure and historic properties), the Department of Conservation ($40.2 million for land acquisition and wildlife projects), the Missouri State Highway Patrol ($17.6 million for facility upgrades), the National Guard ($35 million for facilities), and the Department of Social Services ($680,040 for Camp Avery improvements). The bill provides concrete funding for capital improvements, maintenance, and construction projects as described in the appropriations sections, with all funds designated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. This is a procedural budget bill, not a policy change, solely authorizing state spending for existing programs.
HB 2855 modifies Missouri's workers' compensation tax system by establishing a 2% tax on insurers' net premiums and a separate annual surcharge (up to 3%) for the Second Injury Fund. It requires all workers' compensation insurers, self-insuring employers (including state agencies and local governments), and policyholders to pay these taxes/surcharges on premiums or assessments. The surcharge is calculated annually to cover 110% of expected Second Injury Fund payments, based on prior year's premiums, and must be collected quarterly by insurers. All surcharge revenue funds the Second Injury Fund, which supports workers with pre-existing injuries aggravated by workplace accidents.
HB 3090 modifies Missouri law to prevent specific state funds from reverting to general revenue. It creates three new funds: the Workers Memorial Fund (for memorializing on-the-job injuries), the State Document Preservation Fund (for preserving historical materials), and the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Fund. Each fund explicitly prohibits moneys from being transferred to general revenue, overriding previous rules requiring such transfers. These changes ensure dedicated funding for these specific purposes remains available for their intended uses without automatic reallocation.
