Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
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.
On Thursday afternoon, the full Senate brought up for third reading Senate Committee Substitute for 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, qualified to publish public notices in their communities. Currently, to qualify, 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.
The Senate Committee Substitute included provisions in Senate Bill 1094, an election notices bill sponsored by Sen. Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo). That bill’s language requires a county clerk to publish notice of an election twice in at least two qualified newspapers within six weeks before the election. If a county clerk mails the election notice to the county’s registered voters, then the notice will be published only once. During Senate floor action on Thursday, Sen. Mike Henderson (R-Desloge), handled the bill. Sen. Crawford added a floor amendment to the bill regarding registration deadlines when candidates file for elections. The bill was third read and passed by a Senate vote of 29-0, and the bill now returns to the House for final passage with the last day of the session set for May 15.
