Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
The following is a legislative update from Clarkston Nelson, LLC concerning the Missouri General Assembly’s spring legislative session. Use the information within to develop local coverage of issues important to your readers.
With the magnolia trees blooming and the opening day of baseball, spring has arrived at the Missouri Capitol. Following last week’s Legislative Spring Break, the General Assembly wasted little time getting to work. The House spent hours each day perfecting House bills. Of note, it passed bills relating to initiative petition reform and abortion, after rumors that some Senators were frustrated with the lack of social issue bills received from the House. For its part, the Senate advanced through committee a House bill that overturns parts of Proposition A, which passed by ballot initiative last year and set minimum state requirements on minimum wage and sick leave. Yesterday morning, the Senate third read and passed multiple bills, including SS SB 79, relating to health care benefit contracts and women’s health. On Wednesday, Governor Mike Kehoe signed into law his priority public safety legislation, which provides for the state takeover of the St. Louis Police.
Budget Update
The House Budget Committee dedicated the majority of Monday reviewing and finalizing the $47.9 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1. The proposed budget, is around $2.1 billion less than the budget proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe during his State of the State Address in January and, among other things, includes:
The budget is expected to be debated by the full House next week and then the Senate will have its opportunity to further scrutinize the spending of state tax dollars. The full budget must be approved by both chambers by May 9th.
Tax Repealed on Sale of Bingo Cards
On Thursday morning, the House Legislative Review Committee gathered to consider passage of HB 48, sponsored by Rep. Mike McGirl (R-Potosi), and HB 985, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Knight (R-Lebanon). HB 48 and HB 985 are identical bills and repeal a 2 percent tax on the gross receipts of retail sales paid on each pull-tab card sold in the state. The bill also repeals a tax imposed on each organization conducting a game of bingo that annually awards at least $5,000 and more than $100 in a single day. House Committee Substitute for HBs 48 and 985 were voted do pass by a vote of 8-0. The substitute just combines the 2 bills together that are identical.
Condensed County Financial Statement
On Monday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee gathered to hear HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Peggy McGaugh (R-Carrollton). HB 352 requires a condensed county financial statement to be published on or before June 30th each year in local newspapers in all counties of the first, second, third, or fourth classification. The bill language includes publication of the name and current gross annual salary of each elected or appointed county official. Another portion of HB 352 deals with political subdivisions that fail to submit their required annual financial statements and that fail to pay fines. The bill allows for the reduction or elimination of fines under certain circumstances. The legislation, supported by the Missouri Press Association, was passed in HB 1606 in 2022 but was tossed out by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2023 because of other problems with that bill. Testifying in favor of the bill was Doug Crews on behalf of MPA, along with the Camden County Auditor, representing the Missouri Association of County Auditors; the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities; Missouri Municipal League; and the Municipal League of Metropolitan St. Louis. There was no testimony in opposition, and the committee took no action on the bill.
Newspapers’ Legal Publication Requirements
The House Local Government Committee gathered Wednesday morning in executive session and voted “do pass” on HB 353, sponsored by Rep. Peggy McGaugh (R-Carrollton), a bill 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 12-0. 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 353 reduces the time of regular publication from three years to one year and increases the time from 30 days to 90 days within which a successor newspaper must 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.
Condensed Financial Statement in Omnibus Bill
On Wednesday morning, the House Local Government Committee gathered to hear HB 532, sponsored by Rep. Ann Kelley (R-Lamar), an omnibus bill regarding public officials, cities, counties, and political subdivisions. Contained in the bill is language, supported by Missouri Press Association, that would condense the county financial statement published in newspapers in all counties of Missouri. The bill also would allow county collectors to hold land auctions due to delinquent property taxes using electronic media online as well as in-person. Some concern has arisen in the Senate regarding the online auctions, and the language may be deleted from the House bill. Testifying in support of the bill were the Municipal League of Metropolitan St. Louis, LJ Hart & Company, a Joplin city councilman, the Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities, Missouri County Collectors Association, and Missouri Association of County Clerks & Election Authorities. Testifying in opposition to the bill was Arnie Dienoff. The committee took no action on the bill.
Major Water Users’ Personal Information Closed
On Monday afternoon, the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee met to hear HB 545, sponsored by Rep. Dane Diehl (R-Butler). Under HB 545, any individually identifiable user information provided by a major water user (those who use or divert 100,000 gallons per day) and obtained by the Department of Natural Resources Division of Geology and Land Survey shall remain confidential and shall not be released to the public or disclosed in response to any Sunshine Law request. However, the Division may disclose in the aggregate for each county the number of major water users and the amount of water used and may disclose information in response to a subpoena or court order. Rep. Diehl said a House Committee Substitute for the bill is planned to only affect farmers by closing their names, addresses, and phone numbers if they are considered major water users and if they report their usage to DNR. Rep. Michael Burton (D-Lakeshire), a committee member, said “Water is a natural resource for all people. I don’t think we should be taking sunshine away.” He said he has problems with the bill when it comes to transparency. Rep. Bruce Sassmann (R-Bland) mentioned recent drought situations and asked why shouldn’t this information be available. Testifying in favor of the bill were the Missouri Soybean Association, saying its members are not comfortable sharing personal information; the Missouri Farm Bureau, and the Missouri Corn Growers Association. Testimony in opposition to the bill was offered by Chad Stebbins of the Missouri Press Association, along with the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, and Liberty Link Missouri. Stebbins said the bill erodes the Sunshine Law. “We live in a state that struggles with drought conditions nearly every year,” he noted. “The public has a right to know who the major water users are.” The committee took no action on the bill.
Reporting Requirements of Law Enforcement Agencies
The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety convened Wednesday afternoon to discuss HB 591, sponsored by Representative Richard West (R-Wentzville). This bill creates provisions related to law enforcement "clearance rates", defined in the bill as the rate at which law enforcement agencies clear an "offense by arrest" or an "offense cleared by exceptional means". The Freedom Principle MO, Right on Crime, the Council of State Governments Justice Center, and Empower MO testified in support of the bill. No opposing testimony was presented.
Annual Budgets of Political Subdivisions
The House Local Government Committee convened Wednesday morning to consider passage of HB 749, sponsored by Representative Don Mayhew (R-Crocker). This legislation seeks to ensure that members of a governing body of a political subdivision receive proposed budget documents within seven days of voting on the budget. After no discussion, the committee passed the bill by a 13-0 vote.
Newspaper Notices and Catalytic Converters
On Thursday morning, the House Rules-Administrative Committee met in executive session and voted “do pass” on HB 757, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew (R-Crocker). The bill modifies the requirements for public notice of sale by operators of self-service storage facilities for the sale of personal property of an occupant in default. The bill allows for the operator to advertise the sale in any commercially reasonable manner such as on the internet or in the classified section of newspapers. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to issue licenses for those who buy or sell catalytic converters. It also requires scrap metal dealers to require proof the catalytic converter came from a licensed repair shop or was obtained legally and contains penalty provisions for those who are found knowingly purchasing, obtaining, or possessing stolen catalytic converters.
Intimate Digital Depictions Distributed, A Crime
On Wednesday morning, the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met for a joint hearing on SB 411, sponsored by Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit). and SB 604, sponsored by Sen. Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette). The committee is expected to merge the two bills in a committee substitute. SB 411 establishes "The Taylor Swift Act," which develops a cause of action by an individual who is the subject of an intimate digital depiction against a person who discloses the depiction and who knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the individual has not consented to such disclosure as provided in the bill. The depicted individual may recover damages along with injunctive relief. An action shall not be brought if the disclosure was made in good faith to or by a law enforcement officer when reporting or investigating unlawful conduct or as part of a legal proceeding. Also, an action shall not be brought if the disclosure was a matter of legitimate public concern or interest or if the disclosure was reasonably intended to assist the depicted individual. SB 604 creates the offense of disclosure of an intimate digital depiction. A person shall be guilty of such offense if he or she discloses or threatens to disclose an intimate digital depiction with the intent to harass or threaten another person. A violation of such offense is a class D felony if the person discloses an intimate digital depiction and a class E felony if the person threatens to disclose an intimate digital depiction. Any second or subsequent violation of such offense is a class C felony. Finally, it shall be a class C felony if the disclosure interferes with a government proceeding or causes violence.
SB 411 provides that a person commits the offense of disclosure of an intimate digital depiction if the person discloses, or threatens to disclose, an intimate digital depiction with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten, alarm, or cause substantial harm to the finances or reputation of the depicted person or with the actual knowledge that or reckless disregard for whether such disclosure or threat of disclosure will cause harm to the depicted person. Any such person shall be guilty of a class E felony for the first offense or a class C felony for any second and subsequent offenses or if the actions could reasonably be expected to affect the conduct of governmental proceedings or facilitate violence. Also, it shall not be a defense to civil or criminal actions that there is a disclaimer stating that the digital depiction was unauthorized or that the depicted individual did not participate in creating or developing the digital depiction. Also, a provider of an interactive computer service shall not be held civilly or criminally liable under SB 411 for actions voluntarily taken in good faith to restrict access to or availability of intimate digital depictions or actions taken to enable or make available to information content providers or other persons the technical means to restrict access to intimate digital depictions. Testimony in support of the bill was provided by the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. The committee took no action on the bill.
Senate Committee Moves Anti-SLAPP Bill
On Wednesday morning, the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee gathered in executive session and voted “do pass” on SB 503, sponsored by Sen. Mike Henderson (R-Desloge), a bill that establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act” or anti-SLAPP. The committee vote was 3-1. Currently, any action against a person for conduct or speech undertaken or made in connection with a public hearing or meeting in a quasi-judicial proceeding before a tribunal or decision-making body of the state or a political subdivision is subject to a special motion to dismiss, a motion for judgment on the pleadings, or motion for summary judgment and any such motion shall be considered by the court on a priority or expedited basis. SB 503 repeals this provision and creates procedures for dismissal of causes of action asserted in a civil action based on a person's: (1) Communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (2) Communication on an issue under consideration or review in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; or (3) Exercise of the right of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assemble or petition, or the right of association, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or the Missouri Constitution, on a matter of public concern. However, this legislation shall not apply to a cause of action asserted: (1) Against a governmental unit, as described in the bill, or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting in an official capacity; (2) By a governmental unit or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting in an official capacity to enforce a law to protect against an imminent threat to public health or safety; or (3) Against a person primarily engaged in the business of selling or leasing goods or services if the cause of action arises out of a communication related to the sale or lease of such goods or services.
Deleting Newspaper Notices From Self-Storage Auctions
The Senate Emerging Issues Committee gathered Tuesday morning to hear SB 513, sponsored by Sen. Justin Brown (R-Rolla). The bill modifies the public notice requirements by an operator of a self-service storage facility for the auction sale of personal property of an occupant in default. SB 513 allows the storage facility operator to advertise the auction in the classified section of a newspaper prior to the sale, OR the operator may instead advertise in any other commercially reasonable manner, such as online. The advertisement is “commercially reasonable” if at least three independent bidders attend the sale. Missouri Press Association opposes the legislation. Testifying in favor of the bill was Randy Scherr, representing the Missouri Self Storage Owners Association. Scherr said the trend is to conduct the auction sales on the internet, and he said newspaper notices are costly and do not benefit self-storage owners. Testimony in opposition to the bill was presented by Chad Stebbins of the Missouri Press Association, noting his son once failed to pay rent for his self-storage unit, and his son’s grandfather read the notice of auction in The Joplin Globe, then notified his grandson, who paid the rent and saved his stored items. Stebbins noted many reasons why such notices need to be published in newspapers and mentioned mopublicnotices.com, Missouri Press’ website that places public notices on the internet at no charge. Also testifying in opposition to the bill was Arnie Dienoff. The committee took no action on the bill.
The Process of Changing the State’s Constitution
On Monday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee met in executive session and voted “do pass” on Senate Committee Substitute for SJR 47, 30 & 10, sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-Granby). The committee vote was 6-1. SCS SJRs 47, 30, & 10, if approved by the voters, makes modifications to the process for proposing and approving constitutional amendments. Currently, any constitutional amendment or new constitution takes effect when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure. This constitutional amendment requires any constitutional amendment or new constitution to be approved by both a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure statewide as well as a simple majority of the votes cast in a majority of the state House of Representatives districts. The amendment also creates several new restrictions relating to the activity of foreign nationals and sources connected to foreign nationals, as those terms are defined in the resolution, with respect to proposing and advocating for or against proposed constitutions and constitutional amendments. If a constitutional amendment is proposed by initiative petition, and the petition proponent, or committee associated with the proponent, knowingly violated the restrictions governing foreign activity, the amendment shall be deemed void even if it received the requisite votes for approval.
Blaine Luetkemeyer Appointed to UM Board of Curators
Among recent appointments by Governor Mike Kehoe (R), receiving unanimous Senate approval on Thursday is retired U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, who was appointed as a member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators on March 4. He was introduced at Wednesday’s Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City). During the hearing, Luetkemeyer noted he was instrumental in obtaining federal funding for the University of Missouri and its research reactor project in Columbia. Luetkemeyer said the reactor is a passion of his, and another reactor needs to be built on campus. The current reactor produces cancer treatment products, saving people’s lives. He noted the four-campus University system is very important, and said there likely will be a demographic problem in Missouri in the coming years as fewer youths are available to attend colleges, a problem that will affect all universities. Luetkemeyer discussed the duties of the Board of Curators, to set policies and oversee the administration they hire. He mentioned his support of trade schools and technical education schools, and noted the importance and need of high schools and guidance counselors to work with local businesses for the sake of students’ careers. Luetkemeyer represented Missouri's 3rd Congressional District from 2013 to 2025 and the 9th Congressional District from 2009 to 2013. During his tenure in Congress, he played a key role on the House Financial Services Committee, chaired multiple subcommittees, and, as noted, helped secure $20 million for the NextGen MU Research Reactor at the University of Missouri. Before serving in Congress, Luetkemeyer was a Missouri State Representative and was the Director of the Missouri Division of Tourism. Luetkemeyer has decades of experience as a small businessman, having worked as a community banker and bank examiner. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Lincoln University. In recognition of his contributions to higher education, Luetkemeyer received the Henry S. Geyer Award from the Mizzou Alumni Association in 2023.
Sunshine Bill Exempts Minors, Campers, Plants, Animals, Utility Customers
On Wednesday afternoon, the full House perfected by voice vote House Committee Substitute for HB 145 & 59, as amended, sponsored by Rep. Bill Falkner (R-St. Joseph) and Rep. Bruce Sassmann (R-Bland), legislation that originally deals with records of minor children and of state park campers. The bill needs another House vote to be sent to the Senate. The HCS adds a new Sunshine Law exemption to allow the closure of “any portion of a record that contains individually identifiable information of a minor 17 years and under held by a public governmental body, such as a city, town, village, or park board.” The HCS also adds individually identifiable customer information for visitors who make camping, lodging, or other shelter reservations for a state park or historic site to the list of records that are exempt from disclosure under the Sunshine Law, unless the records are requested by or authorized for release by the visitor. A floor amendment added “county park” and “municipal park” to the exemption. Another floor amendment added a new Sunshine Law exemption, closing: “Records to protect the specific location of a plant or animal species considered endangered, threatened, critically imperiled, imperiled, or vulnerable when the known location may cause the species to be at an increased risk of peril.” Another floor amendment which applies to St. Louis County and St. Louis City was added to the following current exemption: “Individually identifiable customer usage and billing records for customers of a municipally owned utility or a utility operated by any political subdivision created by Article VI, Section 30(a) of the Constitution of Missouri, unless the records are requested by the customer or authorized for release by the customer, except that a municipally owned utility shall make available to the public the customer's name, billing address, location of service, and dates of service provided for any commercial service account.”
Anti-SLAPP Language Added to House Bill
On Wednesday afternoon, the full House perfected by voice vote HCS HB 176, as amended, sponsored by Rep. Cameron Parker (R-Campbell). Another House vote is needed before sending the bill to the Senate. The original bill establishes provisions relating to electronic estate planning, the "Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act." A lengthy floor amendment was added to the bill that includes the “Uniform Public Expression Protection Act” or anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). Anti-SLAPP provides procedures for dismissal of causes of action in a civil action based on a person’s exercise of the right of freedom of speech or of the press, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or the Missouri Constitution, on a matter of public concern such as when a person is speaking at a public hearing or meeting of a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding. The amendment also attempts to provide more information to the public in court records, and it allows a deceased person’s family member to have that deceased person’s misdemeanor offense removed from CaseNet, six months or more after the person’s death.
Design-Build Construction
The House dedicated floor time Wednesday to debate HB 513, sponsored by Representative John Voss (R-Cape Girardeau). The bill repeals the sunset date of September 1, 2026, for political subdivision authority to utilize the design-build method for construction and repeal the expiration date allowing political subdivisions to continue to use the construction manager-at-risk method. The intent is to provide political subdivisions flexibility to use contracting options to ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness. After brief debate, the House passed the bill consent, by a 137-1 vote, with Representative Mike Davis (R-Belton) being the lone no vote. The bill now will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
Changes to the Initiative Petition Process
On Thursday morning, the full House third read and passed House Committee Substitute for HB 575 & 551, sponsored by Rep. Brad Banderman (R-St. Clair), affecting the initiative and referendum petition process used to amend the Missouri Constitution by voters, making numerous statutory changes to the process of collecting signatures and enabling topics to reach the statewide ballot. The House vote was 103-49, and the bill now moves to the Senate. The bill requires signature pages to be printed on a form as specified by the Secretary of State (SOS). Signature collectors must be citizens of the United States and residents of Missouri or must be physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days before the collection of signatures. Petition circulators are prohibited from being compensated based on the number of signatures collected. Signatures must be recorded using black or dark ink. Only Missouri registered voters can challenge the official ballot title or fiscal note for a Constitutional amendment, initiative petition, or referendum measure. The bill requires final adjudication relating to a challenge of the official ballot title or fiscal note to occur at least eight weeks before the date of the election. Petition sample sheets must be submitted to the SOS six months before the next general election. The House Committee Substitute deleted three portions of the original bill, including: no petition shall claim to nullify Federal law; signatures are not open records under the Sunshine Law; and signatures already gathered after a court orders a change to the content of the official ballot title are invalidated.
House-Conservation and Natural Resources
3/31/25 1:00 PM
Committee Hearing, HR 7
SB82 Burger - Creates provisions relating to water resources
Senate-Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety
3/31/25 3:00 PM
Committee Hearing, SCR 1
SB715 Gregory - Modifies provisions relating to port authorities
House-Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
3/31/25 4:30 PM or upon adjournment (whichever is later)
Committee Hearing, HR 6
SB2 Crawford - Modifies provisions relating to financial statements of certain local governments
House-Economic Development
4/1/25 8:00 AM
Committee Hearing, HR 1
HB668 Diehl - Modifies requirements of notice for sale by an operator of a self-service storage facility for the sale of personal property of an occupant in default
