Another Shortened Week, State of the Judiciary Cancelled

The following is a legislative update from Clarkston Nelson, LLC concerning the Missouri General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session. Use the information within to develop local coverage of issues important to your readers.

Another Shortened Week, State of the Judiciary Cancelled

It was another short week at the Missouri Capitol, as last weekend’s snowstorm caused the legislature to cancel its business on Monday. This resulted in a packed committee slate on the remaining legislative days for the second week in a row.

House bills continue to advance through the committee process, and with several making it through the rules committee and onto the perfection calendar, the House could begin floor debate as early as next week. Business in the Senate remains slow, as Democrats continue to filibuster reports of standing committees and the approval of gubernatorial appointments.

 On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Missouri canceled its State of the Judiciary address to the General Assembly. Last week, the Court struck down last session’s SB 22 finding that it violated the constitutional prohibition against multi-subject bills. This result, and the Court’s finding of taxpayer standing, was expected to result in Republicans from both Chambers refusing to attend the Court’s address.

Budget Update
This week Budget and Appropriation Committees continued digging into department spending and hearing public testimony regarding the FY 2027 budget. Discussions are already tense as House and Senate Appropriations hearings spotlighted tough spending choices amid slower revenue growth and the ongoing impact of tax cuts. Lawmakers and advocates clashed over proposed reductions, including nearly $4 million cut from the Missouri Arts Council, raising concerns about community programming and tourism. Amid these debates, the Department of Social Services urged increased funding to avoid potential federal penalties from Medicaid errors, citing staffing shortages, technology needs, and plans to raise pay for child abuse and neglect investigators. With declining reserves and high-stakes, election-year pressures, committees face the challenge of balancing core services like education, health, public safety, and infrastructure while navigating broader debates over Medicaid rules and other social programs. 

Committee Activity

Eliminating the State Income Tax
The House Committee on Commerce convened Tuesday morning to a dedicated several hours considering public testimony on HJR 174, sponsored by House Speaker Jon Patterson (R–Lee’s Summit) and HJR 173, sponsored by Rep. Bishop Davidson (R–Republic). The resolutions are substantively similar and would place before voters a constitutional amendment authorizing the gradual elimination of Missouri’s individual income tax, contingent on future legislative action and revenue triggers. During bill presentation, Speaker Patterson framed the proposal as the first step in a long, voter-driven process to modernize Missouri’s tax system, noting that the state’s income and sales tax structures date back to the early 20th century and no longer reflect a modern, service-based economy. Multiple committee members questioned the lack of clarity regarding future sales tax rates, exemptions, and revenue triggers, arguing that voters would be asked to approve a framework without knowing its ultimate impact. Americans for Tax Reform, the National Taxpayers Union, several business owners, and economists supported the bill, advocating for income tax elimination citing economic growth trends in states without income taxes. Missouri Budget Project, AARP Missouri, the Missouri Association of Realtors, consumer advocates, trial attorneys, and utility and public interest groups opposed the proposals and raised concerns that eliminating the income tax would require significant increases in sales and use taxes, shifting the tax burden onto low- and middle-income residents, seniors on fixed incomes, and consumers of essential services. 

Website Access Litigation 
The House Committee on Commerce convened Wednesday morning to consider passage of HB 1842 and HB 2150, sponsored by Representatives Sherri Gallick (R-Belton) and Travis Wilson (R-St. Charles). The bills create the “Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation,” which seeks to prevent abusive litigation practices from those filing lawsuits claiming a website is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and seek to recover damages. During discussions, a committee substitute was adopted to combine both bills into one legislative vehicle. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 9-0 vote. 

 Elections
The House Committee on Elections convened Tuesday morning to consider passage of HB 1871, sponsored by Representative Peggy McGaugh (R-Carrollton). The bill modifies several provisions regarding elections. Specifically, the bill: reinstates the presidential primary election; allows election notifications to be sent by email; moves the filing dates for candidates in certain elections; requires automatic tabulating equipment to be tested one week before an election; lengthens the in-person no-excuse absentee voting from two to four weeks; modifies provisions for no-tax-due statements in St. Louis; allows for the use of provisional ballots; and increases the distance from 25 to 50 feet for electioneering. During committee discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to remove provisions increasing distance, removed the presidential preference primary provisions, and provided technical changes. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 13-1 vote. 

The Senate Committee on Local Government convened Thursday morning to receive public testimony on SB 836, sponsored by Senator Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo). This is the Senate companion bill to HB 1871, highlighted above. Supporting testimony was presented by the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities who stated the filing deadline change is critical as in 2027 there will be a Christmas filing deadline, extending the in-person no excuse voting timeline increases voter turnout and clarifying the provisional ballots measures will ensure there is no more confusion by election judges on Election Day. Additional supporting testimony was provided by the Missouri ACLU, Health Forward Foundation, Missouri Municipal League, Responsive Government Action, City of St. Peters, Missouri Association of Counties and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. Opposing testimony was presented by ArmorVine who stated they are opposed to reinstating the presidential primary as it would not matter, absentee voting timelines should be shortened and do not want to see changes to the electioneering proximity. 

Newspapers’ Legal Publication Requirements
The House Local Government Committee gathered in executive session on Wednesday morning and voted “do pass by consent” on House Bill 1940, sponsored by Rep. Peggy McGaugh (R-Carrollton), legislation that changes the length of time for successor newspapers and newly established newspapers to be considered legal newspapers to publish public notices in their communities. The committee vote was 16-0. Currently, to qualify as a newspaper to publish public notices, a newspaper must have been published regularly for a period of three years or must be the successor newspaper to a non-active newspaper that restarts publication no later than 30 days after the termination of the prior newspaper. HB 1940 reduces the regular publication period from three years to one year and increases the time from 30 days to 90 days for a successor newspaper to begin publication. The bill also allows a newspaper that has been purchased or newly established by another newspaper that already satisfies these conditions to qualify.

 Anti-trafficking Efforts
The House Committee on Children and Families convened Tuesday morning to consider passage of HB 1946, sponsored by Representative Jeff Myers (R-Warrenton) and HB 2273, sponsored by Representative Ed Lewis (R-Moberly). The bills attempt to strengthen Missouri’s’ response to sex and human trafficking by creating new oversight bodies, expanding training for professionals, updating legal terminology and penalties, and increasing victim protections and civil remedies. It also enhances law enforcement authority, funding, and sentencing, particularly for crimes involving children. During discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to combine the bills together. Additionally, the substitute includes HB 2551 which modifies and establishes provisions relating to sexual offenses. Finally, the bill removed the exemption for licensed teachers, health care providers and youth mentors, modified the felony penalty provisions, and increased the age of grooming by an adult from 18 to 21. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 17-0 vote. 

Caller ID Anti-Spoofing Act 
The House Utilities Committee met Wednesday morning to discuss HB 2658, HB 2546, HB 2472, and HB 2147 sponsored by Representatives Mike Costlow (R-Dardenne Prairie), Mitch Boggs (R-LaRussell), Jim Kalberloh (R-Lowry), and Travis Wilson (R-St. Charles), respectively. The bills are similar and establish a state telemarketing no-call list intended to protect both businesses and residents from unwanted telephone solicitations, including those using call-spoofing tactics, by prohibiting calls to numbers registered on the list. The MO Bankers Association and the MO Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported the bill. No opposing testimony was presented. T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon provided informational testimony and advocated that the wireless industry works tirelessly to block illegal robocalls, and label calls identified to be a scam risk to minimize the negative impact of robocalls. While the providers agree with the intent of the legislation, they have great concerns over the creation of a conflicting state telemarketing automated call laws, that do not conform with federal regulations and could create complicated challenges to the carriers that operate interstate networks. 

 Personal Expression at K-12 Schools
House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2682, sponsored by Rep. Darin Chappell (R-Rogersville), was voted “do pass” by the House General Laws Committee on Wednesday afternoon. The committee vote was 6-3. The bill renames the "Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act" to the "Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act,” and the Act adds political and ideological expression to the current protections for public school students' religious expression. The committee made only one change in the House Committee Substitute by removing the following: The State waives immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and consents to be sued in Federal court for claims arising under this Act. Other portions of the bill prohibit discrimination against student clubs based on their religious, political, or ideological viewpoints. HCS HB 2682 must not be construed to limit school districts' ability to restrict speech that is not protected by the First Amendment; speech that is so offensive that a student is effectively denied equal access to educational opportunities; or conduct that intentionally, materially, and substantially disrupts school operations. Any person or student organization harmed by a violation of this Act will have a private cause of action against the school. Any person or student organization aggrieved by a violation of this Act may assert such violation as a defense or counterclaim in any disciplinary action or in any civil or administrative proceeding.  

Proceedings Resulting from Criminal Conduct (CLEAN SLATE)
Representative Bishop Davidson (R-Republic) appeared before the House Committee on Economic Development Tuesday morning to present HB 2747. The bill changes Missouri law by creating an automated “clean slate” expungement system that automatically closes eligible misdemeanor and felony records after set waiting periods, while allowing prosecutors or the state highway patrol to object and limiting the number of expungements a person can receive. It also updates death-penalty murder trials to require a unanimous jury finding that aggravating factors outweigh mitigating factors before imposing death, otherwise sentencing defaults to life without parole. The bill also adds reporting requirements for the courts, restricts how long credit bureaus may report criminal records, and establishes a dedicated fund to support the technology and staffing needed to operate the expungement system. The sponsors intent with the legislation is to balance public safety and accountability with fair sentencing and second chances, while modernizing how Missouri handles criminal records and extreme punishments. Empower MO supported the bill noting the bill would simplify a difficult petition process and ultimately help people who have finished their sentences get jobs, housing, and education, which reduces poverty and lowers the chance of reoffending. Additionally supporting testimony was presented by the MO NAACP, Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, Formerly incarcerated individual, SugarBot Sweet Shop, MO Catholic Conference, a pastor, Woman’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, MO Justice Coalition, Emerging Business Leaders, MO Justice Coalition, and the MO Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Judicial Conference of MO opposed the bill’s “automatic” components, stating they may be unrealistic to implement noting that the mechanics of implementing true automation on all eligible records are complex. Additionally opposition was provided by MO Sheriffs United, MO Circuit Clerks Association 

The committee then turned its attention towards HB 2047, sponsored by Representative Marlene Terry (R-St. Louis). The bill is similar to HB 2747, highlighted above and creates a “Clean Slate” automatic expungement system in Missouri. Starting in 2029, certain criminal records would be automatically closed without someone having to file a petition, as long as they meet specific conditions. Committee discussion and testimony mirrored HB 2747.  

Good Time Credit
The House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met Tuesday afternoon to discuss HB 2831, HB 2751 and HB 2695, sponsored by Representatives Kimberly Ann-Collins (D-St Louis), Chad Perkins (R-Bowling Green) and Jamie Gragg (R-Ozark). These bills are similar and seek to make good time credit automatic, expand programs eligible for credit, set maximum limits, allows retroactive petitions for past programs, and clarifies ineligible offenders. HB 2751 varies slightly and contains a provision that would allow non-violent drug offenders to be able to obtain SNAP benefits when they are released. The Missouri Justice Coalition, Family Accountability Movement, Empower Missouri, Second Mountain, the Missouri NAACP, Manasseh Ministry, Justice for All, Action Now Initiative, Missouri Appleseed, and ACLU Missouri supported the bill and advocated it incentivizes good behavior, supports education and treatment, and helps offenders transition back into society safely. The Cole County Prosecutor opposed the bill, stating expanding sentence credits could allow offenders, including those convicted of serious offenses, to be released earlier than intended, potentially undermining public safety and victims’ confidence in the justice system.

School Athletic Association Governing Boards
The Senate Education Committee convened Thursday morning to consider passage of SB 863, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean (R-Holcomb). The bill requires the Governor to appoint a board of directors to oversee statewide activities associations that facilitate interscholastic activities for secondary school students in the state for a term of 4 years. After no discussion, the committee passed the bill by a 5-1 vote.

MO Safeguarding Personal Expression Act
The Senate Education Committee convened Tuesday morning to consider passage of SB 909, sponsored by Senator Brad Hudson (R-Cape Fair). The bill renames the existing “Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act” to the “Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act” and seeks to expand the scope of protections in school settings to cover not only religious expression but also political and ideological expression by students. During discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to remove references to the 11th Amendment. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 5-2 vote.

Upcoming Hearings

House-Elections
2/3/26 8:00 AM
Committee Hearing, HR 5

HB2387 Banderman - Modifies provisions for elections

Senate-Education
2/3/26 8:00 AM
Committee Hearing, Senate Lounge

SB892 Carter - Requires the State Board of Education to cause its annual report to be published on the website of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education