HB 1920 requires Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to create an education program promoting respect for health care professionals and informing the public about legal consequences of assaulting them. It allows hospitals to receive state reimbursement for two years of security-related property/technology costs (compliant with federal standards) and for three years of security personnel payroll costs, funded through a new dedicated "Hospital Security Fund." The fund, supported by state appropriations and other sources, must be used solely for these reimbursements, with unspent balances at the end of each biennium not reverting to general revenue. The program expires on August 28, 2029.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a property tax exemption for disabled veterans in Missouri. It would exempt the homestead property (primary residence) of disabled veterans certified by the VA for 100% service-connected disability, as well as their surviving spouses who continue living in that home. The exemption covers real property used as a homestead but does not apply if the surviving spouse sells the home or stops using it as their primary residence. To offset lost tax revenue, counties would impose a replacement tax on certain business inventory property within the county.
SB 1242 establishes the Missouri Crime Victims Fund within the state treasury to support victim assistance services. The fund accepts state appropriations, private donations, and grants, and must be used solely for programs matching federal Victims of Crime Act (Pub. L. 98-473) grant purposes, such as counseling, legal aid, and emergency shelter. Funds are disbursed to eligible local entities (like counties or nonprofits) that qualify for federal victim assistance grants, and unspent money cannot revert to general revenue at the end of each biennium. The state treasurer manages the fund and its investments, ensuring dedicated use for crime victim support.
SB 953 creates a "Natural Resources Protection Fund" to manage environmental fees, including a new "Missouri Air Emission Reduction Fund" for emissions inspection fees. It changes rules so unspent funds won’t revert to general revenue after 2027 (previously they did), and requires 5% of electric power tax revenue to fund air pollution programs. The Department of Natural Resources will use these funds for environmental programs, while emissions inspection stations must collect and remit fees to the state treasurer. The bill directly affects state environmental agencies, inspection stations, and public programs focused on air/water quality.
HJR 146 (despite its title mentioning "renaming," the actual bill text describes a constitutional amendment for fuel tax distribution). It directs that 10% of fuel tax proceeds go to a "County Aid Road Trust Fund" (with an additional 5% for cities outside counties), 15% to cities/towns for road work, and the remainder to the state road fund. Funds are distributed based on county road mileage, rural land valuation, and city population, with strict rules limiting use to roads, bridges, and related maintenance (not salaries or equipment). The bill also prohibits local taxes on fuel without voter approval and clarifies that these funds don't count toward state revenue limits. Note: The bill's title references "renaming the tax commission," but the text describes tax allocation - this discrepancy suggests a possible error in the provided context.
HB 2418 creates the "Missouri Crime Victims Fund" to provide dedicated funding for crime victim services. The fund, managed by the state treasurer, accepts state appropriations and donations from public or private sources. It ensures leftover funds at the end of each biennium stay in the fund (not revert to general revenue) and requires all money to be used by local organizations eligible for federal Victims of Crime Act grants, for the same purposes those federal grants cover. This bill directly affects Missouri organizations providing victim assistance services by aligning state funding with existing federal grant requirements.
HB 2242 provides state funding to help public school districts hire licensed school nurses and mental health professionals. School districts can apply for a state supplement covering up to the full salary (including experience) for one nurse or mental health professional per school, with preference given to schools with the greatest need - based on factors like student health ratios, free/reduced lunch eligibility, and Title I funding. Districts may also use the funds to reimburse telehealth services for remote access to these professionals, subject to parental consent. The bill creates dedicated state funds for these supplements, ensuring unspent money doesn’t revert to general revenue and must be used solely for this purpose.
HB 1869 creates a Missouri grant program to help families repair or reset grave markers for deceased veterans buried in state cemeteries when markers are damaged by natural causes (like weather or erosion). Eligible applicants must be family members of veterans who were honorably discharged or died while on active duty, and they must provide proof of relationship and burial location. The program is funded through a dedicated "Veterans' Grave Marker Trust Fund," which can receive state appropriations and private donations, with unspent funds not reverting to general revenue. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants must agree to use funds solely for repairing the grave marker.
HB 2535 provides property tax exemptions for certain veterans and their families starting in 2027. Disabled veterans with a 30%+ disability rating, Purple Heart recipients, and Gold Star spouses (surviving spouses of service members killed in action) receive tax relief based on disability levels, ranging from $3,000 to full exemption on their primary home. To offset lost property tax revenue, the bill increases cigarette taxes and adds new excise taxes on vaping products, tobacco paraphernalia, and hemp consumables. Revenue from these taxes funds a dedicated state fund to reimburse counties for property tax losses tied to the veteran exemptions.
SB 1145 reallocates Missouri county sales tax revenue to fund parks and recreation. For most counties, 50% of tax revenue stays in a district park fund for operations, while 50% returns to the county for park projects (with 40% reserved for municipal grants to cities). In metropolitan areas, 60% of revenue goes to a dedicated park fund (initially 50% for Gateway Arch grounds, later shifting to 20%), and 40% returns to counties for municipal park grants. The bill also requires counties to seek voter approval to extend funding for the Gateway Arch after 20 years.
