This constitutional amendment (SJR 113) changes how Missouri property taxes are calculated, primarily affecting homeowners and landowners. It limits annual increases for residential property (including rental homes) to the lesser of the consumer price index (inflation rate) or a 2% cap, preventing sudden tax jumps. The bill also reorganizes property classes: Class 1 (homes, farms, businesses) must use uniform tax percentages, while Class 3 (like commercial properties) is taxed based on annual yield with a maximum 8% limit. Exceptions allow higher increases for new construction or major improvements.
HB 2955 creates a Missouri tax credit for businesses and organizations providing services to homeless individuals. Eligible taxpayers (such as job training agencies, employment providers, or housing organizations) can claim up to $10,000 annually in income tax credits for services like job training, employment (28+ hours/week at minimum wage), or housing support specifically for homeless persons. Certification by the Department of Economic Development is required, with annual renewal, and credits are non-refundable but carry forward for up to three years. The total annual credit amount is capped at $1 million. This bill directly affects service providers who meet the certification criteria, not homeless individuals themselves.
HB 2981 creates a new property tax credit for eligible Missouri homeowners, primarily seniors (65+), disabled individuals, or qualifying married couples, whose property tax bills increase by more than a calculated threshold. It directly affects homeowners with combined income under $70,000 (adjusted annually) who own a homestead without significant non-disability improvements (exceeding 5% of assessed value). The credit offsets tax increases above the "homestead exemption limit" (based on prior-year tax liability changes), calculated separately from existing tax rates. Homeowners must apply annually between April 1 and October 15, providing proof of age, income, and tax payment history, with applications processed by the Department of Revenue. The credit applies only to subclass (1) real property and excludes those already claiming other property tax relief.
HB 2869 creates the "Missouri Disabled Veterans Homestead Tax Credit Act," allowing Missouri counties to offer a property tax credit for eligible disabled veterans who own their primary residence. The credit covers up to 100% of real property taxes on a homestead valued at $500,000 or less, for veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Counties must vote to adopt the program (opt-in), and veterans must own the home as their primary residence (not exceeding five acres) to qualify. The credit is non-refundable, non-transferable, and does not apply if the veteran rents part of the property or qualifies for other tax relief.
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.
SB 1612 - This act creates the "Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act" and requires all public institutions of higher education to designate a homeless and foster student liaison within the institution's financial aid office. The liaison shall assist current and prospective students in applying for federal and state financial aid, as provided in the act. A public institution of higher education may grant resident status to a Missouri resident who is 19 years of age or under at the time of enrollment, regardless of how long the student has resided in the state, if the student is determined to have been homeless at any time during the two years immediately preceding such student's enrollment. A public institution of higher education that offers student housing may develop a plan to provide that homeless and foster students have access to housing resources as needed during and between academic terms. The plan may grant such students first priority for housing placement and provide that they be placed in the institution's housing facility that remains open for occupation during the most days in a calendar year. This act is similar to HCS/HB 2722 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON
HB 2722 establishes a dedicated liaison position within Missouri's Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to support homeless students pursuing postsecondary education. The bill creates a dedicated fund to finance this role and requires the liaison to develop databases tracking homeless students' graduation and retention rates, connect students to campus resources like housing and food banks, and collaborate with high schools and colleges. It directly affects homeless students in Missouri colleges by creating a centralized point of contact to address barriers like housing instability and access to support services. The liaison must be nonpartisan, independent of other homeless service providers, and focus exclusively on this role to improve educational outcomes for this population.
HB 2771 extends federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections to Missouri National Guard members and eligible Missouri employees called to active state duty by their state's governor or adjutant general. It applies to Missouri National Guard members or Missouri-based employees serving in another state's National Guard for more than 30 consecutive days. The bill guarantees these individuals the same reemployment rights and civil protections (like mortgage/rent relief) under federal SCRA law, and authorizes the attorney general to enforce these rights or pursue legal action against violating employers. This ensures state-activated service members face no employment or financial penalties upon returning to civilian life.
HB 2856 caps rental application fees at $15 per prospective tenant and requires landlords to use these fees only to cover actual processing costs. Landlords must refund any unused portion of the fee within 20 days and provide a receipt (electronic or paper) upon payment. This bill directly affects prospective renters applying for housing by limiting upfront costs and ensuring transparency. It does not apply to security deposits or rent paid before tenancy begins.
HB 1791 establishes specific deadlines for local governments to process building permit applications based on permit type and project size. For example, residential permits under 7,500 sq. ft. (Level 1) must be approved within 30 business days, while larger projects (Level 2-4) have 60-day deadlines. If local governments miss these deadlines, they must reduce the permit fee by 10% per business day, with exceptions for applicant-caused delays or written extensions. The bill also requires local governments to notify applicants within 5 days if more information is needed, or the application is automatically accepted. This directly affects homeowners, contractors, and local governments handling construction permits.
