Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
Missouri News Network: Statehouse News for MPA Members
This report is written by Missouri School of Journalism students for publication by MPA member newspapers in print and online.
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Missouri News Network coverage this week included coverage of the latest efforts to end the state income tax, proposals to regulate so-called gray lottery machines, the latest on efforts to raise the speed limit on rural interstates and a rare failure of a bill to make it through the House after getting initial approval.
If you have thoughts or questions, contact Fred Anklam at anklamf@missouri.edu.
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FRIDAY
Adult education bill fails to pass on final Missouri House vote
By Jack Schouten, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House on Thursday passed more than 15 bills after a third read, but one measure failed to get the votes it needed.
Bills failing to pass to the House once they are taken up for third read and a vote is unusual. But that's what happened to an effort to create a new online program.
House Bill 3239, which would have taken public school funding and given it to a new program to provide online learning to Missouri adults without high school diplomas, failed to gain passage after a 55-95 recorded vote.
"This is something that will help these largely teen moms that dropped out of high school," bill sponsor Rep. Josh Hurlbert, R-Smithville, said when the bill was taken up. It received preliminary approval in a voice vote on the House floor last week.
The only argument against the bill during the debate period came from former teacher Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, who plainly laid out her arguments against the bill.
"We have two other existing, successful options for adults wanting to finish high school," Steinhoff said. "We have money in the budget to help adult learners. Please keep the K-12 money where it belongs."
Up to $4 million annually in statewide K-12 funds could have been sent to local school districts that successfully recorded students passing the virtual courses.
When the final tally of 55 to 95 was announced some Democrats clapped in celebration.
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House committee hears testimony on emergency contraception
By Caroline Sweet, Missouri News Network
Witnesses testified to the House Crime and Public Safety Committee this week about multiple bills that would require emergency contraceptives in hospitals.
House bills 3460 and 2628 are identical and seek to establish the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act, or CARE, which would require all hospitals and health care facilities to verbally offer emergency contraception to a sexual assault victim and to provide emergency contraception if the patient requests it.
Rep. Jaclyn Zimmermann, D-Manchester, HB 2628's sponsor, spoke to the committee about the bills in a hearing Tuesday. She clarified that emergency contraception pills are different from abortion drugs.
"Emergency contraception prevents ovulation; it does not abort a pregnancy," Zimmermann said. "No egg is released. There's no potential that there will be fertilization that happens there."
To prevent pregnancy, emergency contraception must be administered to a victim within five days of a sexual assault. These contraceptives are most effective within 24 hours, but Tonya Vega, the chief nursing executive of SANE Healthcare Services, said that victims don't often seek care in those 24 hours.
"We are seeing victims more and more come later post-assault than right fresh because it takes some time to figure out what hospitals they can go to," Vega said.
SANE Healthcare Services serves 58 Missouri hospitals and rural community access centers by providing exams and treatment for sexual assault victims in accordance with standards set by the Justice Department and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Because not all Missouri hospitals and health care centers are required to offer and provide emergency contraceptives, victims of sexual assault may have to travel to a different care center or pharmacy to receive that treatment.
Plan B, a well-known emergency contraceptive, is available over the counter but is only effective up to 72 hours after sexual assault and has age and weight restrictions. Ella is the contraceptive pill that Vega said her organization prefers because it doesn't have as strict restrictions and is effective up to five days after sexual assault.
However, Ella requires a prescription. Vega said the lack of access especially affects adolescents.
"A lot of those don't have the resources to either fill the prescription or even just make it to the pharmacy," she said.
Rep. Brad Banderman, R-St. Clair, asked Vega if hospitals and health care centers would be allowed to conscientiously object to offering emergency contraceptives.
Vega said she supports the bill because she doesn't think it provides hospitals with a way out of offering this care.
"Where they present or what hospital or what area shouldn't change the care that they receive," Vega said. "Every victim of sexual assault, (regardless of) social, economic status and so forth, should be offered that same service."
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Clear skies legislation gets House hearing
By Xavier Asher, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs heard two bills this week that would prohibit the use of geo-engineering and other weather modification techniques.
HB 2388 and HB 2656 are identical pieces of proposed legislation that would prohibit geo-engineering, weather modification and cloud seeding in Missouri.
The bills, referred to as the Clear Skies Act, were sponsored by Rep. Steve Jordan, R-Advance, and Rep. Burt Whaley, R-Clever.
"Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana have all passed bills banning geo-engineering. We need to do the same here in Missouri," Jordan said. "The bottom line is: we don't want toxic pollution to be intentionally sprayed into our atmosphere to modify our climate."
The bills define geo-engineering as "large scale manipulation of the environment, including, but not limited to the release of agents that increase air pollutants."
In practice, according to an Environmental Protection Agency website, this process involves the release of artificial particles from airplanes into clouds with the objective of either increasing rainfall (cloud seeding) to combat drought or reflecting sunlight to cool the earth (solar geo-engineering).
The EPA considers cloud seeding to be the most common example of weather modification: the intentional modification of regional or local weather patterns. The agency reports that as of 2024, federal agencies actively supported cloud seeding efforts in nine different states to fight drought.
EPA says the U.S. government does not practice any form of outdoor solar engineering. The agency is only aware of one company, Make Sunsets, that has engaged in this.
The bill's authors claim that private firms who provide cloud seeding services profit from clients who pay them to modify the amount of rain or snowfall in certain places. A quick Google search will confirm that these companies exist, but nobody was present at the hearing to represent them or oppose this legislation.
"You might see a lot more of this in places like Colorado where it's really important that they have snowfall for their ski season," said Michael Hogan, co-founder of Missouri Clean Skies, the organization that produced this legislation.
Missouri Clean Skies argues that the potential negative impacts of this practice outweigh the potential positive effects it could have on climate change. Furthermore, they don't believe that the government, nor private firms, should have the right to manipulate the weather without the consent of the people.
The EPA acknowledges that solar geo-engineering can lead to ozone depletion, an increased risk of acid rain and changes in the amount of rainfall and drought in specific regions. Their website also says that some particles being added to the stratosphere will eventually come down to Earth's surface where they can make it difficult to breathe.
Though geo-engineering is real, the nature of it is very much disputed. Some representatives on the committee were confused and skeptical of the existence of this practice and of its potential adverse effects.
When Jordan and Whaley introduced the legislation, they were questioned by several members of the committee.
"Isn't it true that every time I breathe out I'm releasing some sort of biological chemical into the atmosphere?" asked Rep. Renee Reuter, R-Imperial.
"What I'm envisioning is that there's someone who's trying to take over the world and that they're doing it through this chemical release situation?" asked Rep. Kem Smith, D-Florissant.
She drew parallels between the Clear Skies Act and presumably false claims about extreme weather that had been made by her constituents.
"Being from St. Louis and having experienced two different tornadoes, this is what we constantly hear," said Smith. "That someone is messing with the weather."
Other representatives were more accepting of the claims made by the bill's sponsors and authors.
Rep. Bryant Wolfin, R-Ste. Genevieve, asked about potential adverse health effects. Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, R-St. Charles, supported the legislation because he thought it may finally incentivize the aviation industry to create jet fuel that's less harmful to the environment.
Hogan was accompanied by about 20 supporters, a few testified in support after he did.
One person claimed that his illness was caused by the byproducts of geo-engineering, while a woman argued that weather modification was unnecessary because climate change doesn't exist, and additionally several people said they considered geo-engineering to be an obstruction of God's plan.
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THURSDAY
House bill to legalize gaming machines heard in Senate committee
By Sawyer Bess, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — A Senate committee conducted a busy hearing Wednesday over a House bill that aims to establish a Video Lottery Terminal system in Missouri.
The bill would call for the removal of illegal gaming machines already operating in many convenience stores around the state and introduce an alternative machine regulated by the Missouri Lottery Commission.
Machine operators would be required to completely remove illegal machine hardware and fully replace them with new VLTs, as required under a House amendment to the bill. The operators are given a 120-day grace period to do so, and new machines would only be legal in the counties that choose to establish the VLT system.
“All the games that exist now as a matter of law would have to go away,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Dixon. “If counties and municipalities would like to, they can decide … if they want to have a VLT program in their county or city.”
VLT regulations include age restrictions, consumer protections and keeping machines in separate rooms away from those under 21, under the bill.
Some opponents of House Bill 2989 do not want the terminals to become legal in any way, especially after U.S. District Judge John Ross’ February ruling that the no chance machines are illegal. Others oppose the bill on the basis that it should be up to Missouri voters to decide their legality, not lawmakers.
“That does send a dangerous signal that if you operate outside of the law for long enough, the law may eventually be changed to accommodate you,” said Jared Hankinson, vice president of government affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Attorney Marc Ellinger, who began practicing gaming law in 1999, said that every past exception to gaming has required voter approval, including bingo, the lottery system and more recently, sports gambling.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has taken aim at stores hosting illegal gaming machines this year, and filed felony counts in March against a Greene County store for keeping such machines.
However, though they appreciate Hanaway’s efforts, bill proponents say that trying to enforce the current law will only delay the problem, as they expect gaming machine companies to find loopholes.
“We’ve been fighting this fight for 30 years, and you’re no closer to solving it today than you were then,” said Matt Hortenstine, who serves as general counsel at J&J Gaming in Illinois. “The only way you’ll do that, to solve that, is to pass this bill.”
Hortenstine said that enforcement of the “gray machine” ban has been difficult across many states, not just in Missouri. He also said that states such as his own have benefited from “millions” of dollars in tax revenue after implementing similar laws.
Senate leaders, including Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, who chaired Wednesday’s hearing, said early in the session that this bill would likely not pass as the Missouri Senate has not considered the regulation of VLTs to be a high priority. The attorney general’s recent actions could encourage the Senate to take action.
Last year, a similar bill also narrowly passed in the House but died in the Senate.
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Senate committee hosts hearing on proposal to eliminate income tax
By Peter S. Pynadath, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — A Senate Economic and Workforce Committee hearing on Wednesday over the Republican proposal to eliminate state income tax drew former and current state leaders, lobbyists and residents alike.
House Joint Resolution 173 and 174, carried by Bishop Davidson, R-Republic, and Speaker of the House Jonathan Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, respectively, aim to fully eliminate income tax by 2032 using revenue triggers.
However, to make up for the loss of income tax revenue made up by individual income tax, the resolutions allow for the legislature to impose use taxes, other transaction-based taxes and sales taxes.
Davidson, introducing both bills, advocated for an end to individual income tax and establishing a larger sales tax base.
“Income tax is the worst of all taxes, it’s opaque, it’s unfair and it’s also an invasion of privacy,” Davidson said. “Consumption taxes on the other hand are transparent. It’s also a more voluntary tax, it gives people more control as to where their tax dollars are gathered.”
However, Missouri residents that rely on social security are currently exempt from paying income tax. Jamie Blair, the lead legislative organizer for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, testified that rural Missouri residents will pay more under a sales tax structure.
“Rural Missourians tend to be older, who are getting most of their income through social security, and that is not taxable income,” Blair said. “So if we’re switching to a sales tax model, they’re paying a great deal more every month.”
Blair said the average Missouri resident would see a $500 net increase a year in taxes. Blair believes this will lead to people having to make difficult decisions.
“Through adding these sales tax, people are going to be choosing between important things like food or medicine,” Blair said.
Aaron Hedlund, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, testified in support of the resolution and presented research on state income tax.
“Missouri has been bottom 10 in economic growth for a good part of the last quarter century,” Hedlund said. “If we were to eliminate the income tax through a combination of revenue triggers and potential base expansion, we find that the average worker would see their paycheck grow by $3,000 per year.”
Hedlund added that 70% more Missouri residents have moved to Tennessee, which has no income tax, compared to those in Tennessee moving to Missouri.
Drew Amidei, a resident of Columbia and father of two school children, brought concerns about how his expenses could be affected by an increase in sales taxes.
“I have two kids, they both go to Russell Boulevard. According to the Missouri Budget Project, Columbia Public Schools would stand to lose state funding; the equivalent of 500 teachers,” Amidei said. “With the expansion of the sales tax, we would be paying potentially a lot more for groceries.”
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House committee hears testimony on emergency contraception
By Caroline Sweet, Missouri News Network
Witnesses testified to the House Crime and Public Safety Committee this week about multiple bills that would require emergency contraceptives in hospitals.
House bills 3460 and 2628 are identical and seek to establish the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act, or CARE, which would require all hospitals and health care facilities to verbally offer emergency contraception to a sexual assault victim and to provide emergency contraception if the patient requests it.
Rep. Jaclyn Zimmermann, D-Manchester, HB 2628's sponsor, spoke to the committee about the bills in a hearing Tuesday. She clarified that emergency contraception pills are different from abortion drugs.
"Emergency contraception prevents ovulation; it does not abort a pregnancy," Zimmermann said. "No egg is released. There's no potential that there will be fertilization that happens there."
To prevent pregnancy, emergency contraception must be administered to a victim within five days of a sexual assault. These contraceptives are most effective within 24 hours, but Tonya Vega, the chief nursing executive of SANE Healthcare Services, said that victims don't often seek care in those 24 hours.
"We are seeing victims more and more come later post-assault than right fresh because it takes some time to figure out what hospitals they can go to," Vega said.
SANE Healthcare Services serves 58 Missouri hospitals and rural community access centers by providing exams and treatment for sexual assault victims in accordance with standards set by the Justice Department and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Because not all Missouri hospitals and health care centers are required to offer and provide emergency contraceptives, victims of sexual assault may have to travel to a different care center or pharmacy to receive that treatment.
Plan B, a well-known emergency contraceptive, is available over the counter but is only effective up to 72 hours after sexual assault and has age and weight restrictions. Ella is the contraceptive pill that Vega said her organization prefers because it doesn't have as strict restrictions and is effective up to five days after sexual assault.
However, Ella requires a prescription. Vega said the lack of access especially affects adolescents.
"A lot of those don't have the resources to either fill the prescription or even just make it to the pharmacy," she said.
Rep. Brad Banderman, R-St. Clair, asked Vega if hospitals and health care centers would be allowed to conscientiously object to offering emergency contraceptives.
Vega said she supports the bill because she doesn't think it provides hospitals with a way out of offering this care.
"Where they present or what hospital or what area shouldn't change the care that they receive," Vega said. "Every victim of sexual assault, (regardless of) social, economic status and so forth, should be offered that same service."
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Bill could let energy companies charge users for construction of nuclear plants
By Abigail Didonna, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — A bill to allow electric companies to charge customers for the cost of building new nuclear power plants received initial approval Wednesday.
Electric companies charging for nonoperational facilities have been prohibited in Missouri since 1976, but last year, Senate Bill 4, an omnibus utility law, removed this restriction for natural gas plants.
Now, House Bills 2122 and 1626, sponsored by Rep. John Black, R-Marshfield, intend to remove these restrictions on nuclear energy as well.
Black said that Missouri is one of two states to ban construction work in progress for nuclear energy. He said Missouri could miss out and pay more for energy if not adapted.
“When the nuclear plants, the small, modular, nuclear plants, that are going to be built are built, if we do not remove this practical road block, those plants are not going to be built in Missouri,” Black said.
The bill applies specifically to clean baseload generating plants with a capacity of 600 megawatts or less.
The amount of construction costs and expenditures that can be included in an electric company’s rates would be determined by the Missouri Public Service Commission under the bill’s provisions. The bill also states that if the commission determines that the facility is not put into operation within a reasonable amount of time, then utility customers could be subject to a refund.
Reps. Doug Clemens, D-St. Ann, and Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, who both argued against the bill on the floor, brought up instances in other states where billions were collected for a facility that was never built.
“$15 billion in Kentucky. No plant. $17 billion in Georgia. The plant was never built. And $9 (million) in South Carolina,” Burton said. “They were using this exact tactic. Those taxpayers lost billions of dollars, and it resulted in nothing and they didn’t get their money back.”
Rep. Brad Banderman, R-St. Clair, said that without increased generation, ratepayers could end up paying even more to offset the cost of importing electricity to the state.
“This is a Missouri first bill,” Banderman said. “The reason that Missouri is still among some of the lowest utility rates in the nation is because our state controls our own energy production. We’ve been a net exporter now for over 40 or 50 years and just recently we started importing electricity.”
Burton said he recognized the need for increased energy production, but pointed out that the House has put forward many bills this year that would restrict wind and solar energy development.
“You all talk about a need for energy that we need to see, which is true,” Burton said. “We’re hearing legislation this year to put handcuffs on wind and solar, cleaner energy sources. So, there are ways we can do this that make sense, where it’s safer, where it’s cleaner and where Missourians aren’t going to be put on the hook for this bill.”
Discussions over the safety of nuclear reactors were also prominent in the debate on the House floor. Burton listed several nuclear incidents occurring in the past few decades.
Clemens discussed his 38 years of working to remove nuclear waste from his community.
St. Louis has been dealing with the repercussions of nuclear waste since it was improperly disposed of in and near St. Louis waterways in an area known as Coldwater Creek following the Manhattan Project in the 1940s. St. Louis still feels the impact of this, as those exposed to radioactive waste in the area as children face an increased risk of cancer.
Clemens served as chairman of the West Lake and Bridgeton Community Advisory Group for over four years. The group relays information about the waste to the Environmental Protection Agency and the community.
“There’s a long list of reasons to not accept this,” Clemens said. “It’s complicated, it’s not safe, Missourians don’t want this, we have alternatives.”
Before his bill was given first approval by the chamber, Black argued that modern developments in nuclear energy make it a safer option today.
“We can either live 50 years in the past, we can continue to recycle 50-year-old arguments that don’t apply to small modular reactors or we can move forward,” Black said.
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Senate debates literacy bill to limit teaching methods, introduce screeners
By Nolan Haberstroh, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — A literacy bill limiting the use of the controversial “three-cueing system” of reading instruction and establishing a statewide reading screener was discussed by the Senate on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 1442, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, seeks to promote literacy by preventing “three-cueing” from being taught to incoming teachers, identifying literacy issues early on with elementary level screeners and providing guardians with resources to resolve those issues.
The bill eventually was laid aside, but can be taken up later in the session.
Hudson cited Missouri’s recent decline in literacy, compared to other states, as reasoning for the bill, calling the placement unacceptable.
“In 2003, Missouri was ranked 14th out of 50 states in writing and reading scores,” Hudson said. “In 2024, however, Missouri was ranked 38th.”
The “three-cueing system” is a method of reading instruction that has faced increased scrutiny in recent years. It encourages students to use context clues to understand the meaning of a new word, a process critics have derided as guesswork. Phonics plays a diminished role in this style — students are instead told to use images, location in sentence and surrounding words to find definitions.
Educational institutions have gradually distanced themselves from three-cueing as evidence has begun to suggest it has been ineffective where implemented. Several states have already attempted to ban it.
While at present, the bill would only prevent teachers from being trained in the method (although specifying three-cueing is not to be used as the primary teaching tool), previous versions were more ambitious in their limitation of its use in schools.
Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City, a former teacher, had concerns about the prospect of banning the method itself. While she agreed it’s generally ineffective, Nurrenbern defended its provisional use on a case-by-case basis.
“I’m always hesitant to say ‘you can’t do this’ even though you’ve been trained to do that thing,” she said. “I used to say, ‘to be an effective teacher, I need the autonomy to be able to practice my craft.’”
The bill also establishes the “Missouri Reading Screener,” a literacy test intended to identify reading deficiencies that would be taken three times a year by students from first to third grade.
The screener would also be designed to recognize traits of dyslexia with hopes of aiding a diagnosis.
Screener results would be sorted into four proficiency categories, listed from lowest to highest score: “at risk,” “approaching expectations,” “meets expectations” and “exceeds expectations”.
The bill designates two levels of literacy problems determined by screener scores. Students who score “approaching expectations” are determined to have a reading deficiency, while students who score “at risk” are determined to have a substantial reading deficiency.
Students who are still recognized as having a substantial deficiency by the end of the third grade will not be allowed to move on to the fourth grade.
Students who are learning English as a second language or who have individualized learning plans as a result of disability may be exempt from this retention to the third grade, on a case-by-case basis.
“First children learn to read and then they read to learn,” Hudson said. “And if they don’t get the learn to read part, they’re going to be behind their entire academic career.”
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House bill to protect teachers in school fights gains first approval
By Hannah McDonough and Hailey Sanford, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — A bill that would protect teachers if they intervene in a physical altercation at school was heard on the House floor on Wednesday.
Reps. Bill Irwin, R-Lees Summit, and Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, worked together to create House Bills 2913 and 3228.
The bill aims to protect teachers who intervene in violent situations from liability. Intervention would also have to be done in a district-approved way for any liability to be waived.
Steinhoff, a former high school teacher, spoke about her experience with violent students.
“When you are standing there, you see a violent situation erupt in front of you, and kids are in danger,” Steinhoff said. “You have to think about ‘am I going to be hurt?’ and then the other thing you have to think about is ‘could I be sued? Could my entire financial livelihood be taken away because of one moment, I’m trying to protect somebody?’”
Irwin also clarified on the House floor that the bill would not mandate teachers to intervene in any fights.
Rep. Stephanie Boykin, D-St. Louis, who is also a former teacher, shared that at her school, teachers were advised not to intervene in physical altercations, even when they wanted to help.
“As a teacher, you want to protect children,” Boykin said.
Steinhoff also clarified that a teacher who intervenes could still be drawn into a school investigation, but they wouldn’t be held liable by law. Additionally, according to the bill's text, the protections of this bill do not extend to teachers who commit “misconduct or gross negligence.”
Rep. Brad Banderman, R-St. Clair, questioned whether this bill would apply to school buses and their drivers.
Irwin explained that a teacher, as defined by this law, includes teachers, substitute teachers, principals, superintendents, school nurses, school social workers, counselors and librarians, among others. But does not include school bus drivers.
Irwin said that this is the definition in the Missouri Constitution, and school bus drivers are not included in it.
Laws hoping to protect teachers during physical altercations have been proposed in other states. Arkansas passed its “Teacher and Student Protection Act” in 2025, and Louisiana is currently debating similar legislation.
“It’s sad that our schools are becoming places with more and more violence," Steinhoff said. "I think it kind of replicates what’s happening in our society, to be quite honest.”
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House votes on bill increasing mandatory reporters for abuse
By Anika Austvold, Missouri News Network
The House granted first approval Wednesday of a bill to strengthen reporting systems and investigations across child, elder and animal abuse cases.
House Bill 2292, sponsored by Rep. Holly Jones, R-Eureka, would require animal control officers and animal humane investigators to be mandated reporters for all instances of child abuse, abuse of the elderly and abuse of vulnerable individuals, in addition to animal abuse. The bill similarly requires that select state employees, including social workers, school counselors, teachers and Child Protective Services workers, report any instances of animal abuse.
Jones described the measure as an early warning system, explaining that abuse involving animals, children and vulnerable adults is often connected. She said that requiring law enforcement to "cross-report" would help with enforcement.
The bill also requires additional training for animal control officers and Child Protective Services workers to spot the signs of abuse outside their normal scope.
Jones' bill is similar to Senate Bill 899, sponsored by Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Families, Senior and Health last Wednesday.
Jones' bill also expands investigative support by allowing trained animal abuse investigators with the Missouri Animal Control Association to assist local agencies facing “manpower issues” that can leave cases unexamined.
The bill was approved after two amendments added increased enforcement measures for different kinds of abuse. Rep. Bennie Cook, R-Houston, added an amendment that would create an Office of Special Investigations in the Department of Health and Senior Services to assist law enforcement with abuse cases involving elderly and disabled adults.
Rep. Don Mayhew, R-Crocker, added another amendment to create penalties for knowingly submitting a false animal abuse report to law enforcement.
Mayhew highlighted situations where personal disputes, such as breakups, could lead to malicious false reports as a form of retaliation. The amendment seeks to deter mistreatment of the reporting system to focus on genuine cases of abuse.
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Firefighter Day at capitol celebrates trainees and fallen firefighters
By Margaret Stewart, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Many gathered to enjoy bagpipes and barbecue at the Capitol on Wednesday in celebration of more than 20,000 Missouri firefighters.
The theme for this year’s annual Firefighter Day, announced by Missouri State Fire Marshall J. Tim Bean, was "training," reflecting the many firefighters still in training.
Both experienced firefighters and fire students in training were present during festivities at the Capitol.
During the day's events, attendees paid tribute to the firefighters who died during the 9/11 attacks, and Gov. Mike Kehoe read a statement proclaiming April 1, 2026, as Firefighter Day in Missouri.
Firefighters also invited others at the Capitol to attend a barbecue on the front lawn.
The Cape Girardeau Career and Technical Center had the largest group of students in attendance, with 15 students, ages 17 to 19.
The program is paid for by public schools in the area, and is the only program of its kind in the state.
Many students, including Chloe Farmer, said the class functions as a "family." The class hosts both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and goes out to eat each week outside of class.
Many students said they joined to "save lives." The one-year training program teaches students to be "prepared for every situation" during emergencies, student Kamryn West said.
Farmer said she joined because her father is a volunteer firefighter. West said he simply liked to “burn stuff and break stuff down.”
Many in the group said they hope to eventually become paramedics, work in hospitals or become fire marshals.
"We take pride in what we do," said student Hailey McCutchen. "It's very rewarding."
Many in the group have served on volunteer department calls, riding along in volunteer trucks and gaining some real-life experience.
“(Firefighting) is addicting,” said West. “You can’t describe it in words.”
The Career and Technical Center has received a boost in funding since its establishment four years ago. Each student has their own $10,000 set of gear, and the training center features a truck and fire bay.
Experienced firefighters and fire marshals active-teach classes on hazardous materials and more.
Firefighter Day also provided opportunities to learn about tools used to prevent fires.
J.P. Penat, with the National Fire Sprinkler Association, brought a display truck along to demonstrate how sprinkler systems in buildings work.
Penat said that "fires don't care what your budget is," and emphasized the importance of annual sprinkler system maintenance.
Penat also noted the importance of firefighter's versatility, referring to fire departments as "the everything department."
John Kelly and other members of the Highland Guard Band of St. Louis also attended. The band, composed of drum and bagpipe players dressed in kilts, often performs at the funerals of fallen firefighters.
Kelly said he started playing bass drum with the group four years ago after talking "to the wrong guy at the happy hour."
"I grew up in a firefighter family, three generations in the city of St. Louis fire city," Kelly said.
Kelly said that many die of cancer due to smoke inhaled as part of their work, while others die in the line of duty.
“It’s a consistent tradition, we come to honor fallen firefighters,” said student Carter Wine.
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House hears bills to create educational resources on Missouri governemnt
By Sam Jackson, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee heard two bills Wednesday aimed at creating more resources for teaching civic education in public schools.
House Bill 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Reps. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, and Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, would create educational resources, including explanatory videos, to help public schools teach students how the Missouri legislative process works.
"We all know Schoolhouse Rock, we can sing that song. We still know that song, but it's so different when you serve up here," Rep. Cathy Jo Loy, R-Carthage, said, supporting the bill. "Just those little details ... we voted (a bill) out of the House, but the Senate didn't vote it out, and students don't know those stop-starts."
Loy said a simple video explaining the various legislative processes could be beneficial for students throughout the state..
Three third-grade students — Liam, Edgar and Frankie — from West Boulevard Elementary School in Columbia joined their teacher, Ann Alofs, in support of the bill.
"This year, we are learning about the Missouri government," Edgar said. "It is important for kids to learn about government because they should be informed about how it works in order to vote and to know their rights."
Alofs, who has been an educator for nearly 32 years, supports the bill and other educators, saying "all educators benefit from resources."
"With this bill, you can be part of putting materials into the hands of public schools, which are all over Missouri," Alofs said.
Joy Bess, a K-12 social studies curriculum coordinator for Columbia Public Schools, said third grade through high school students could benefit from civic education videos.
"This video is specifically outlining the legislative process and how complicated it can be," Bess said. "We don't really talk about the committee work that often happens ... So, creating a video like this, I think, would be extremely helpful."
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WEDNESDAY
House has heated debated on voter documents in Spanish
By Kate Leverenz, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The House devolved into chaos during the discussion of an amendment to House Bill 1871, sponsored by Rep. Peggy McGaugh, R-Carrollton.
McGaugh's bill, which would modify provisions relating to elections, received a proposed amendment by Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis. In the amendment's text, there is a provision requiring voter registration applications to be made available in English, Spanish and Braille.
A heated debate was sparked when Rep. Mark Matthiesen, R-O'Fallon, proposed a change to the amendment, removing the provision requiring the Spanish voter application to be made available.
Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum, D-St. Louis, criticized Matthiesen for his proposed change to the amendment.
"We want everyone to be able to vote," Appelbaum said. "What is in your head that makes you so disrespectful of other people that don't look like you. I'm sick of it. You should be ashamed of yourself."
During the exchange, both Appelbaum and several Republicans used a mix of real and made-up Spanish words.
Appelbaum began her inquiry by saying "Sí," while Rep. Chad Perkins, R-Bowling Green, who was presiding over the House, said "procedo" in response to Appelbaum.
Later, Perkins referred to Rep. Darin Chappell, a Republican from Greene County, as "gentleman de verde," while using an accent.
Chappell, who voiced his support for Matthiesen's amendment, jokingly responded, "That's so wrong on so many levels Mr. Speaker. I'm not going to correct your Spanish."
After Appelbaum spoke, Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Seneca, referenced a section of the Missouri Constitution, which states that English "shall be the official language of all official proceedings in the state." The section clarifies that official proceedings are limited to any meeting of a public governmental body but does not reference the language of state documents.
"I think whether required or not, it at least seems to be in the spirit of the Missouri Constitution, which is adopted by the voters," Deaton added.
Matthiesen responded to Deaton, emphasizing that to become a naturalized U.S. citizen eligible to vote, a person must pass a citizenship test in English.
"I explicitly feel that everyone participating in our elections should at least know enough English to fill out the application," he added during the debate.
In response to Matthiesen's change to her amendment, Bosley said while many constituents and taxpayers may be able to speak English, they may not all use it as their primary language.
"What this amendment was attempting to do is to make sure that we give everybody who wants to vote, who is a taxpayer in this state, the opportunity to feel like they are seen, to feel like they are heard and feel like they are respected," Bosley said.
Mattiesen's amendment to remove voter registration applications written in Spanish was passed. In response, Bosley withdrew her amendment from House Bill 1871, the underlying bill. The underlying bill was given initial approval soon after Bosley withdrew her amendment.
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Senator filibusters bill restricting hemp sales
By Sophia Gromowsky, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Senate legislation seeking to restrict the sale of hemp-derived products was stalled by Sen. Karla May, D-St. Louis on Tuesday.
May held the floor into the evening in defense of the hemp industry, which claims it would be severely curtailed by the proposed Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act.
SB 904, sponsored by Sen. David Gregory, R-St. Louis, would allow intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products to be sold only by licensed marijuana dispensaries, eliminating sales by CBD stores, health and wellness retailers, convenience shops and others.
The bill mirrors new federal legislation taking effect in November, which changes the legal limit in hemp to 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products, which are defined as containing greater than 0.3% of THC, will now be classified as marijuana and subject to the same regulations enforced by the Department of Health and Senior Services under the Missouri Constitution.
Gregory said that the legislation is motivated by safety, regulating the contents of cannabis products and preventing cannabis products from being sold to minors.
“These products, we don’t know what’s in them,” Gregory said. “There’s been tests already begun where we’re finding things like paint thinner. We have no idea where they’re coming from.”
May said that she and legitimate hemp retailers would be supportive of regulations in the name of safety. She has an alternate bill filed that would create provisions regulating intoxicating cannabinoid sales for the safety of minors.
However, she said that Gregory's bill is a result of efforts by the marijuana industry to monopolize the market for cannabis products.
“I’m all for regulation,” May said. “I’m just not for eliminating an industry for the benefit of another industry, creating an unfair business advantage in law that they can capitalize off of.”
She pointed to the emergency clause, which would put the law into immediate effect if passed, as evidence of the marijuana industry’s malintent.
“You’re trying to basically cut these businesses off without any remedy or time frame for them to reset and redo," May said. "In the end, it’s about big lobbies and money.”
May proposed an amendment in February that would deter the law from being implemented until Nov. 12, the same date that the federal law will go into effect. Additionally, it would place a contingent expiration on the law in the event that the federal government makes revisions to its new hemp classifications before they go into effect.
The amendment was struck down on the floor Tuesday in a standing division vote of 6-14.
May proposed a second amendment that would push back the law’s implementation date to May 2027, with the same contingent expiration that she proposed previously. The amendment was met with resistance by various senators on the floor.
Debate continued into the evening as May sought support for her amendment through conversations with various senators.
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Legislators advocate for Senate bill to break up energy monopolies at news conference
By Jack Schouten, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Legislators and advocates held a news conference Tuesday in support of Senate Bill 1411 before a committee hearing on the same bill.
This bill would restructure Missouri’s utility energy structure by forcing electric utilities to provide access to electric supply, transmission and distribution systems. This would allow retail suppliers to sell electricity directly to customers.
“Utilities are the only service in Missouri where we have legalized monopolies,” said bill sponsor Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance. “As state leaders, we must put the power in the hands of the people by giving them options and forcing utilities to compete for the business of the consumers.”
Opponents of the bill say it introduces a fragmented market structure that creates price volatility, weakens long-term planning and creates uncertainty.
“SB 1411 moves us away from the stable, pro-growth energy framework that employers are looking for when deciding where to invest,” said Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The bill does not affect distribution cooperatives or municipal systems, it only applies to investor-owned utilities and customers.
According to the Retail Energy Advancement League, Missouri’s energy rates have increased 61% over the past 16 years, which is fifth highest in the nation. That same data shows the 14 states with competitive markets increased about 12% over that same period.
“We use price increase in percentages rather than price per kilowatt hour because every state has different policy that goes into making what your price per kilowatt hour grades are,” said Abby Foster, who works with the Retail Energy Advancement League.
Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future say every one of those 14 states with competitive markets have seen higher residential utility rate increases than Missouri over the past five years.
“Of the 18 states that have raised residential electric rates the most over the past five years, all 14 of those competitive states are included,” Irl Scissors, executive director of Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future, said in a statement.
Some of the senators on the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee who attended the hearing were frustrated about the data discrepancy, saying the two sets of data say opposite things and they don’t know which is correct.
Other arguments for the bill during the hearing included calls for an open market.
“We ask you to consider restructuring markets to allow for private companies to come in and provide customers with options and competition,” Foster said.
Some who oppose the bill argued that only large companies that use lots of power would benefit from an open market and individuals would lose protections.
“I have no concern for the Walmarts and Costcos and the other folks who are big and sophisticated. They will do just fine,” said Jason Klindt, director of external affairs at Evergy. “But folks who don’t have that savvy, they don’t want to work on this stuff. So I think we need to be careful here about pretending that this is something that it’s not.”
During the hearing, the room was packed with others ready to testify on the bill, but the hearing was cut off after around an hour due to time constraints.
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House debates bills on unauthorized workers, childcare tax credits
By Kate Leverenz and Kaleb Anderson, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The House gave first approval on two bills relating to unauthorized employment liability and child care tax credits on Tuesday.
One bill would expand liability against employers of unauthorized workers in the construction industry.
Subcontractors are already subject to legal penalties for employing immigrants lacking permanent legal status but House Bills 2366 and 2511, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Vernetti, R-Camdenton, would extend these penalties to the initial contractors.
Vernetti's bills aim to hold general contractors liable if they knowingly work with a subcontractor employing unauthorized workers and would grant the attorney general stronger enforcement powers over violators.
Under these bills, the attorney general would be given authority to investigate suspected violations of lawful employment for public works projects.
The bills would also extend the attorney general's powers under the Merchandising Practices Act to laws governing the employment of immigrants lacking permanent legal status. Under the Merchandising Practices Act, the attorney general is currently given increased power to investigate businesses that it believes are engaging in fraud or misrepresentation in their business practices.
The penalties for violations under the proposed legislation are civil, monetary penalties, with fines of up to 10 times the illegal wages paid to the employee. Violating contractors could also face the potential suspension or loss of business licenses.
Vernetti's bill came out of committee with unanimous support two weeks ago, but faced some speculation on the House floor.
On the floor, Vernetti emphasized that the attorney general currently has limited authority to investigate complaints related to unauthorized workers.
"We must protect Missouri businesses with hard and impactful penalties," Vernetti said. "Ultimately, this legislation protects law-following contractors and laborers."
Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, inquired whether the bill would allow the attorney general to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement after unauthorized workers.
In response, Vernetti said the bill's intended purpose was not to target workers.
"This is why we move towards civil penalties and more of a monetary system," Vernetti said. "It's not necessarily much of a wide criminal statute, but they'll also work with federal agencies just like they would in any complaint."
Child care tax credit
Another bill given initial approval on Tuesday would allow taxpayers to claim tax credits for child care.
If passed, House Bill 2409 will let taxpayers claim a tax credit for up to 75% of any payment to a child care provider starting January 1, 2027.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, requires that childcare providers apply through the Department of Economic Development before the tax credit to services would apply.
Republican House members were eager to pass the bill. Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, said he understands how expensive child care is as a grandfather of children who attend daycare.
“If we can provide legislation like this, that at the end of the year, it's not going to put them in a different tax bracket, and they can get a small amount written off at the end of the year in the form of a tax credit, it allows the children to grow up in an environment that I had in the 1960s and 70s when only one wage earner was needed,” Seitz said.
While many House Democrats voiced agreement with the legislation, some acknowledged the hypocrisy of some Republican members' claims that they care about the children. Last Tuesday, the House voted down an effort to restore $51.5 million in cuts to child care subsidies.
“A member on my side of the aisle had a commitment to restore the $51 million that was reduced in DESE's budget. And some of the same members who are talking about they care about children couldn't vote for the amendment, and it was a roll call,” Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, D-St. Louis said.
Both bills, given initial approval Tuesday, require one further vote on the House floor before moving to the Senate.
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House committee hears solar farm regulation bill
By Sawyer Bess, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — A House bill would add various regulations to solar farms and aim to increase local power over where new solar farms can operate.
Restrictions include setback distances for solar projects, noise limitations and a local permitting system. The bill also adds a tax on the energy collected by farms, reclassifies the land and limits the amount of solar land relative to its county’s farmland.
“There’s concerns between the rights of farmers, the right to be able to rent out their land … versus the rights and safety of the neighbors,” Rep. Tricia Byrnes, R-Wentzville, said at a hearing on the bill Monday.
Byrnes is chair of the Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, but presented the bill on behalf of its sponsor, Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly.
The bill's restrictions could discourage solar farm operators from buying land in Missouri, as operational costs and physical limits would increase. Farmers or other landowners would then find it harder to sell their property to solar companies.
The House and similar Senate bills would establish a local permitting system, requiring solar companies to get a permit from the county commission before construction. A public meeting about the proposed farm must be held before the permit is issued, under the bill.
A new tax of $6,000 per megawatt of energy capacity would be levied, which stacks with existing taxes. Other states that implement energy capacity taxes, like Ohio, do not also tax the real property owned by solar facilities.
"We will have the highest (tax), and a de facto solar ban because of that taxation," said John Dolan, executive director of the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association. Dolan has served as a Republican state representative and senator in Missouri.
The bill would additionally establish 1,000-foot setbacks from property boundaries and would limit the noise levels to 45 decibels from any property line. No setbacks are currently in place.
One family in Callaway owns a 16-acre property that has been surrounded by solar panels.
"The solar companies put their access drive about five feet from my parents' driveway," said Laura Stinson, whose parents own the island of property. Tall chain-link fencing surrounds this land.
During construction, constant trips on the roads would kick up dust near the Stinson property. Stinson said that given the proximity, her sister, who has Down Syndrome, was greatly irritated by the loud noise of construction.
The bill's opponents, however, say that 1,000-foot setbacks are excessive, and that a limit of 45 decibels is unrealistic. A level of 45 decibels is about the sound of a refrigerator hum, according to Yale Environmental Health & Safety.
Many bill proponents said that they aren't against solar energy per se but want local say before solar farms are constructed.
Legislation like this has been tried for the past five years but has usually died in committee. At this point in the legislative calendar, it would be challenging to get the bill from committee to the governor.
This year, a Senate bill with the same regulations is out of its committee and ready for debate among senators.
In the future, Byrnes said she is looking to compromise between solar farm developers and their neighbors through a committee substitute, or a reworking of the bill.
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No students? No problem. Bills target empty school buildings
By Hailey Sanford, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Identical House bills were heard by the Senate’s Education Committee concerning the sale of unused public school buildings on Tuesday.
HB 2404 and HB 2172, sponsored by Rep. George Hruza, R-St. Louis, and Rep. Marlene Terry, D-St. Louis, respectively, aim to allow public school districts to sell their unused buildings to charter schools.
In recent years, the number of students enrolled in public schools has declined. According to Education Week, some of the causes for lower enrollment include lower birth rates and lower immigration rates, along with more parents choosing alternatives to public schools like homeschooling or charter schools.
The decline has hit the public schools in St. Louis and Kansas City especially hard. Steve Carroll, a lobbyist for the St. Louis Public School District, said public school enrollment in St. Louis city has decreased from 114,000 in 1970 to 17,000 now.
Because of the decline in enrollment, many public school buildings are now vacant.
Kate Casas is a lobbyist representing KIPP St. Louis, part of a nationwide charter school system. Casas said taxpayers are required to pay for the upkeep of these empty buildings.
“What an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, the chair of the Education Committee.
Tricia Workman, a lobbyist for the Missouri Charter Public Schools Association, said the bills would target a 99-year restriction on the sale of public school buildings. She said this stipulation is in place to prevent sales to charter schools.
Académie Lafayette is a charter school in Kansas City, which is currently operating out of an office building.
Micah Bartel, an Académie Lafayette alumnus and current University of Missouri freshman, said that not having a gym or auditorium caused many of his middle school peers to not attend the high school.
The high schoolers were able to create a basketball team and a theater group, but they had to drive long distances to be able to practice.
“It really needs to be the case where there’s a mutual support between all public schools to ensure that the kids’ future is not in jeopardy,” Bartel said.
The bills would also place a stipulation that public entities, like the state of Missouri or any institution supported in whole or in part by public funds, would be able to purchase the building prior to any private entities.
Chris Roepe, a Kansas City Public Schools lobbyist, said two unused buildings in the district were recently sold to charter schools, including Académie Lafayette.
Roepe added that numerous other buildings in the district have been repurposed into things like a senior living facility, a community park and affordable housing for teachers.
Carroll said there are currently 14 buildings for sale by the St. Louis Public School District, but there have been no bids from charter schools.
Bartel called for an end to charter schools and public schools competing with each other. He said this bill would lead to a better relationship.
“It really is a big deal when it comes to giving students the freedom to choose a school that fits for them,” Bartel said. “When public and charter schools are pitted against each other, it makes both options seem like the worst option because they’re both trying to harm each other.”
Last year, the Kansas City Public School District worked with nine local charter schools to pass its first bond since 1967. This bond gave them $474 million and will be allocated to the public and charter schools for upkeep and maintenance.
The bills passed the House in a 91-54 decision. They now await a vote from the Education Committee.
“To me, this is a complete, total no-brainer, common sense,” Brattin said. “Why would we allow taxpayer dollars to sit and fall into complete disarray to where it needs to be torn down versus being utilized for something that is needed, wanted and desired by the community?”
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House debates bill to allow places of worship to stay open in emergencies
By Kennedy Voss, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — After a tense debate, the Missouri House gave initial approval to a bill that would allow houses of worship to remain open when a state of emergency is declared.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many houses of worship were advised to close their doors due to social distancing guidelines. In some areas, closures were mandated or highly restricted on the number of people that could attend services.
Rep. Sean Pouche, R-Kansas City, is from one of these places. On March 21, 2020, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas issued a stay-at-home order that mandated people to stay home unless they were going somewhere essential, like the grocery store or a hospital.
The stay-at-home order was written so that violations would be considered misdemeanor offenses and could result in a $500 fine or six months in jail. Places of worship were not on the list of essential services.
A later amended version of the city's order allowed worship services with limited attendance numbers.
Pouche said that government mandates to close a house of worship go against the First Amendment. House Bill 2760, introduced by Pouche, is entitled the "Protecting Religious Assembly in States of Emergency" Act or "PRAISE" Act.
Pouche's bill aims to include churches as essential services along with hardware stores and airports that were allowed to remain open during the pandemic.
"To be clear, this bill just says you cannot hold places of religious worship to any stricter guidelines than any other private entity," Pouche said. "So if your Home Depot can be open to 25% (capacity), then your church can be open to 25%."
Opponents of the bill worried that if a deadlier pandemic were to arise, this bill would put their constituents at risk. One opponent, Rep. Gregg Bush, D-Columbia, shared his experiences as a health care worker during the pandemic.
"I buried two coworkers because I was a bedside nurse during COVID," Bush said. "That's what happened to me as a bedside nurse, and I still see their faces."
Bush and other opponents went on to say that worship does not need to be held in a physical building, as worship and spirituality can come from within.
"You can have church anywhere," said Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, D-St. Louis. "You can have it in your bathroom, your kitchen, your basement. When that tornado hit (St. Louis) on May 16, I had church in my basement."
Supporters of the bill said that for some, houses of worship were a place of solace during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that they are essential.
"I think being able to practice your faith, going to church, is the most essential thing," said Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Dixon.
Supporters argued the bill would protect churches from government oversight, not give them free rein to ignore health concerns.
Pouche said that when the decision is left to places of worship, he believes a congregation's leaders will make the right decision for their members.
"Most people trust their preacher or their leader of their congregation," Pouche said. "I really believe that those leaders will not put their flock in jeopardy if they have the information given to them."
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TUESDAY
Bill raising rural highway speed limits cruises into House
By Chase Pray, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The speed limit on rural Missouri interstates and freeways could soon accelerate to 75 mph under Senate Bill 1408.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Burger, R-Benton, would have Missouri join an increasing list of states that have a 75 mph or higher speed limit on rural interstates.
Missouri’s border states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Nebraska already have a posted speed limit of 75 mph or higher.
Any “urbanized area” with a population of over 50,000 residents at a density of at least 1,000 people per square mile would be exempt from this change and would remain at 60 mph.
The bill has hardly hit a speed bump so far and passed through the Senate in a 25-6 vote earlier this month. While discussing the bill on the Senate floor, Burger and several other senators even mentioned they sometimes drive over the speed limit themselves.
During the bill’s initial hearing, Burger discussed the positive conversations he’s heard surrounding quicker highway speeds.
“I have some friends who frequent Little Rock, Arkansas, and they told me that since they raised the speed limit, the flow of traffic is so much better than it was in the past,” he said.
However, quicker travel times could come at a cost.
Car crashes that had at least one driver who was excessively speeding are the leading cause of traffic fatalities in Missouri at 36%, according to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.
At least one speeding driver contributed to 1,806 Missouri traffic-related fatalities from 2020 to 2024. This is nearly double the 941 fatalities that involved at least one substance-impaired driver from that same time period.
Additionally, a survey conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety from 1993 to 2017 concluded that there was an 8% increase in interstate and freeway fatalities when states increased their speed limits by 5 mph. This is equivalent to roughly 37,000 additional traffic fatalities nationally throughout that time period.
“Faster speeds translate into more risk in two different ways since you’re more likely to crash because you’re more likely to have loss of control,” said Joe Young, director of IIHS media relations. “And when the crash does happen, it’s going to be more severe because there’s more energy involved in it.”
Young said Missouri lawmakers should strongly weigh the safety risks that come with increasing the speed limit.
“You’re going to have more people getting in crashes, and the research indicates that more people are going to die as well,” he said.
“Our advice would be to make sure that those new limits are being endorsed very vigorously, and there’s a plan in place to enforce the new limit because people will drive faster and will get into more crashes,” he added.
In the bill’s fiscal note, the Missouri Department of Transportation said 512 rural interstate and freeway speed limit signs would need to be replaced to display the updated speed limit. Each sign is estimated to cost around $750, bringing the total projected cost to approximately $384,000.
However, Burger believes the actual cost will be much cheaper.
“I don’t think every sign needs to be replaced,” he said on the Senate floor. “A sticker can be put over the zero with a five put on there, so the cost of the fiscal note I don’t think is correct whatsoever.”
Additionally, MoDOT reported that motor vehicle crashes cost Missouri residents $20.7 billion annually in property damage, medical and legal costs and other factors. An increase to the speed limit would likely increase that figure, as faster driving is commonly linked to more severe crashes, which result in higher medical, emergency and insurance expenses.
It’s unclear how much the annual cost would rise.
Despite these potential concerns, the bill now faces a hearing in front of the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday afternoon.
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Senate debates bill that aims to give AI 'guardrails'
By Hannah McDonough, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Senators wrestled during floor debate Monday on how to regulate artificial intelligence.
Senate Bill 1012, introduced by Sen. Joe Nicola, R-Grain Valley, would outline AI regulations, primarily banning AI from replacing licensed professionals, such as doctors, and requiring that people be made aware when AI is being used. The bill also would limit use of AI in political campaigns along with other provisions.
“We want to make sure that it’s a benefit to humans and not a replacement of humans,” Nicola said. “And we need to put some, at least initial, guardrails around artificial intelligence.”
A point of order was introduced by Sen. Jamie Burger, R-Benton, who said that the “Senate substitute goes beyond the original purpose of this bill,” and cited an executive order introduced by President Donald Trump to point out that this bill goes against that executive order.
The executive order, introduced in December 2025, would “remove barriers to and encourage adoption of AI applications across sectors.”
“We’re trying to create guardrails, but we’re creating obstacles,” Burger said.
In response, Nicola argued that constitutionally, the president does not have the ability to create legislation.
“I take great offense at an executive order that has not the weight of law but a threat of holding funds back to try to push this Senate, this General Assembly, and to force them to bend to their will,” Nicola said.
After a review of the point of order, it was withdrawn by Burger.
During debate Monday, four amendments to the bill were discussed. One amendment, introduced by Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, prioritizes federal law on the subject.
A second amendment, proposed by Sen. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, would call for AI companies to enforce age verification and would prohibit AI companions for kids.
A third amendment was introduced by Sen. Doug Beck, D-Affton, to ensure that AI cannot be used in the prescription of medication. This faced concern from Sen. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, who brought up the fact that AI is still very new technology.
“We’re creating guardrails that we don’t fully have our mind wrapped around, especially when this stuff is changing on a daily basis,” Fitzwater said.
Sen. David Gregory, R-St. Louis, introduced an amendment to ban confidentiality clauses, something he says is important in “these very complex emerging issues.”
All four amendments were adopted.
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Bills would regulate large-scale industrial users of electricity and water
By Abigail Didonna, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Efforts to regulate large-scale industrial users of water and electricity, such as data centers, received passionate and at times emotional support during a hearing Monday in the House Conservation Committee.
Identical bills, House Bill 3362 and House Bill 3364, sponsored by Reps. Colin Wellenkamp, R-St. Charles, and Mike Costlow, R-Dardenne Prairie, respectively, require utility providers to establish specific pricing plans and contracts for large-scale water and electrical users.
This would ensure that companies pay for the excess strain they place on the water system and prevents those costs from being passed down to residents in the area.
While these regulations apply to any facility that meets the threshold of water and electricity usage set in the bill, much of Monday’s discussion revolved around data centers.
Costlow said that this is not an anti-data center bill or a pro-data center bill.
“This is a pro-consumer protection bill,” Costlow said, “We don’t want to get in the way of industry here in Missouri, but we do want to make sure that our residents are protected and those concerns that they have had about increasing energy cost or costs being passed on to them are valid, they’re concerning.”
“We’ve seen it in other states, and we want to make sure that Missouri gets in front of this and learns the lessons of others and ensures that we are doing it the right way,” he said.
Wellenkamp said that these bills are the result of work done by the Missouri House Future Caucus, a bipartisan group of representatives formed to identify and address emerging and long-term challenges for the state.
They determined that the major risk points of artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout are a drain on the state’s power grid and its continued effectiveness to deliver power to residents and water security, he said.
“This buildout has the potential to have a serious impact on those water resources,” Wellenkamp said. “All the way to the point that it could compromise the ability of a locality, whether that be a city, a township or a county, of supplying water and energy to its own residents.”
The bills would also require companies wanting to use more than 2 million gallons of water from Missouri’s rivers and underground sources per day to obtain a special state license.
Applications for the license would be facilitated by the Department of Natural Resources, which would ensure that the applicant’s requested water usage is available, does not exceed more than 80% of the capacity of the water resource and that it does not interfere with existing usage.
Public water systems and water use for agricultural purposed are excluded from requiring this permit.
The bills also require electric providers to create load-shedding plans with each large-load customer that outlines how they will prioritize homes and critical facilities, such as hospitals, during power shortages. It also includes similar provisions in regards to water providers and droughts.
Twelve witnesses spoke in support of the bills, with several more still waiting when the meeting ended.
Stacy Arnold, founder and watershed planner for Stormwater Solutions LLC, gave emotional testimony in support of the bills. She also said she speaks as a rural cattle rancher and lifelong Missourian.
Arnold expressed concerns about the two proposed data centers in Franklin County. One of would will be built on the banks of the Meramec River, where she and lots of St. Louis County residents get their drinking water, she said.
“We want you to show us small farms and clean streams. We want food and water because everybody has to have that to live. And these data centers are important too,” Arnold said. “We want to advance. We want technology, but choose the right place and choose the right way to do this.”
Dana Ripper, a wildlife ecologist, co-founder of the Missouri River Bird Observatory and board member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, said that the issue of data centers and resources has become an incredibly prominent issue in her industry across the 50 states and two territories she was worked with.
“Of all the many, many conservation and environmental quality issues that we all work on over the last year, this has absolutely risen to number one priority across all states and in various localities,” she said.
Wellenkamp also highlighted the importance of this issue on not only Missouri, but anyone who relies on the Mississippi River for infrastructure.
“Forty percent of the Mississippi river’s flow rate is made possible by the Missouri River,” he said, “If we populate the Missouri River Basin with lots of over consumptive water activity then it’s not just Missouri that will suffer, it’s the bottom half of the country that would suffer from the drop in flow from the Mississippi.”
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House advances bill regulating screen time in classrooms
By Erin Hynes and Caroline Sweet, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri lawmakers are urging schools to limit screen time and return to paper in the classroom.
House Bill 2230, sponsored by Rep. Tricia Byrnes, R-Wentzville, requires that kindergarten through fifth grade schools create a policy on screen time and instructional technology use that aligns with the bill’s mandates. The bill passed the House on Monday by a vote of 143-10.
“Tech should support learning, not replace it,” Byrnes said.
The policy must limit student screen time and use of instructional technology during the school day, limit the use of educational technology outside of the classroom and limit the use of instructional materials online.
Individual school districts and charter schools will adopt screen time policies that best serve their students, and each school must notify parents and guardians of the updated policy annually.
Restrictions on technology use will be implemented by the end of the 2027-28 school year if the bill wins approval in the Senate.
The bill also creates the state-sponsored Framework on Classroom Use of Screens, or FOCUS, Council, which will study the use of screens in elementary schools to help create statewide standards.
When analyzing the use of instructional technology, the FOCUS Council will consider the impacts of screens on children’s brain development, literacy, behavior and social connection.
The council will include members from school boards, charter schools, elementary school principals, teachers, parental advocacy groups, faculty members of higher education and health professionals.
“We kept talking about closing this technology gap; let’s be sure that every student has a computer. What does school now look like when the bill passes?” Rep. Kem Smith, D-Florissant, said.
Rep. Ray Reed, D-St. Louis, mirrored concerns he heard from teachers in St. Louis, who worried this bill would limit students’ understanding of one of the fastest-growing industries in the country.
In the committee hearing on Feb. 4, Dava-Leigh Brush from the Missouri Equity Education Partnership submitted written testimony against the bill, citing the equity gap it will cause districts across the state.
“We believe the cost of physical textbooks will create an equity gap between financially fluid districts and those that struggle,” Brush wrote in a testimony.
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Limited driving privileges bills pass House committee
By Erin Hynes, Missouri News Network
Two representatives across the political spectrum are advocating for nonviolent offenders to have expanded access to petition for limited driving privileges.
House Bill 2574, sponsored by Rep. David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia, would allow for nonviolent offenders with substance abuse issues to petition the court for limited driving privileges upon the completion of an intensive treatment program.
House Bill 2163, sponsored by Rep. David Dolan, R-Sikeston, would similarly allow nonviolent offenders who complete certain treatment programs to petition for limited driving privileges.
In Missouri, citizens can get their license back through DWI court; this requires completing a substance abuse program and paying a fee.
However, many counties, especially rural ones, lack a designated DWI court.
“For people in these rural communities, they’re kind of locked out many times from getting a limited driving privilege, even if they’ve gotten treatment or done drug court,” Smith said.
He added that this bill allows people to drive to the grocery store or work with safeguards, such as ignition interlock devices.
As of 2024, the National Drug Court Resource Center reported that Missouri has 36 designated DWI courts across 114 counties. By allowing drug courts to reinstate limited driving privileges, Missouri would add 97 courts that can reinstate some driving privileges.
The two bills were combined into one House committee substitute last week and, in a 9-0 vote, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee.
On March 10, both bills were presented to the committee and public comment was heard. Eric Jennings with the Judicial Conference of Missouri endorsed these bills.
Dolan and Smith collaborated on a similar bill last year, which passed out of committee but never made it to the House floor for consideration.
State Special Education Paraprofessional Sarah Berry submitted written testimony in opposition to HB 2163 and HB 2574, citing concerns about expanding driver eligibility through these bills.
“Completion of treatment does not, by itself, resolve every concern that originally justified the loss of driving privileges,” Berry wrote in a testimony against HB 2574.
With Smith and Dolan working together on these bills, it has bipartisan support.
“To get quality legislation accomplished, you have to work across the aisle, and I’m more than willing to work with people who have a good vision for a way to make our state better,” Smith said.
According to the fiscal note, this bill would not cost the state or any local government to implement. The bill utilizes pre-existing programs such as treatment programs through the Department of Corrections and drug courts across the state.
While the bill will likely increase the number of limited driving privilege court cases, the Department of Revenue does not expect it will cause a need for more employees.
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Lieutenant governor launches youth service award
By Margaret Stewart, Missouri News Network
Lt. Gov. David Wasinger announced the launch of "Civic Light Award" on Monday to honor youth service across the state.
Youth ages 13 to 24 are eligible to be nominated. No self-nominations will be accepted, according to a news release.
Nominations can be submitted at serv.mo.gov.
The award will boost youth involvement in local communities and "helps with future endeavors" for students, according to the release.
The honor was not created as a response to any particular individual or group, but rather to emphasize the importance of service to young Missourians, according to the release.
Volunteers will be sorted into categories depending on age and number of hours served.
Ages 13 to 17 must complete 10 to 24 hours for bronze, 25 to 99 hours for silver and over 100 hours for gold.
Ages 18 to 24 will qualify for bronze with 25 to 99 hours, silver with 100 to 249 hours and gold for exceeding 250 service hours.
The award is in partnership with ServMO.
“We want to honor those who inspire others to shine through service and reinforce the values that make Missouri strong," Wasinger said in the release.
