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.
Despite the flu sidelining several Senators this week, the Missouri Senate finally saw floor action, as it perfected six bills and third read five of them, sending legislation relating to county officials, local government, cotton trailers, emergency medical services, and jails to the House. The House spent much of its week conducting committee hearings on a variety of issues, including several marathon hearings on contentious social topics, such as transgender issues, abortion, and crime. With the pace at which both Chambers have conducted hearings over the last few weeks, and with the Senate now moving into floor debate, the 2025 legislative session is clearly in full swing as we head into the sixth legislative week.
Budget Update
The House Budget and the Senate Appropriations Committees dedicated most of the week considering several department presentations relating to ongoing operating expenses and new decision items (NDIs).
The House Budget Committee spent a good amount of time educating new members on the budget process before turning, in Monday, to review of HB 20, which contains nearly $2.6 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds – approximately $1.2 billion of which has been spent. All ARPA funds must be fully expended or transferred to the state’s school foundation formula by the end of 2026. The House committee also reviewed the remaining Capital Improvement bills (HB 17, HB 18, HB 19). The remainder of the week saw the Office of Administration, National Guard, the Department of Revenue, MoDOT, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Natural Resources present their budget requests. House Budget Sub-Committees are expected to begin shortly, where they will draft recommendations to submit to the full Committee for review.
The Senate Appropriations Committee dedicated its week to reviewing operating budget requests and NDIs from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Public Safety. Many questions centered around ongoing funding sources and impacts of potential federal funding losses.
In other fiscal news, state revenues declined in January, after an increase in December. Revenues for January 2025 declined 11.5% from January 2024 revenues, bringing the state’s fiscal year-to-date position at negative 2.1%, a decrease of $167 million.
Sunshine Bill Exempts Minors’, Campers’ Information
On Thursday morning, the House Legislative Review Committee voted “do pass” by a vote of 10-0 on House Committee Substitute for HB 145 & 59, sponsored by Rep. Bill Falkner (R-St. Joseph) and Rep. Bruce Sassmann (R-Bland), legislation that deals with records of minor children and of state park campers. 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.
Notice of County Planning Board Hearings
On Thursday morning, the House Legislative Review Committee met in executive session and voted 10-0 to “do pass” HB 233, sponsored by Rep. Sherri Gallick (R-Belton). The bill requires that notices of county planning board hearings be posted on the county’s website, and it repeals the requirement that such notices be posted at least 15 days in advance of the hearing in at least two places in each of the county’s townships. Notices of the hearings shall continue to be published in at least one newspaper in the county 15 days prior to the hearings.
Harmful Material to Minors
The House Committee on Children and Families convened Tuesday morning to discuss HB 236, sponsored by Representative Sherri Gallick (R-Belton). The bill requires commercial websites with more than 33 1/3% of material that is deemed harmful to children, to verify that those accessing the site are 18 years of age or older. Additionally, the bill imposes a civil penalty for damages if a minor is harmed. The sponsor stated a House Committee Substitute will be offered which adds a clause applying the provisions of the bill to sites which contain over 33% of pornography content and adds a privacy clause. Supporting testimony was presented by a Jefferson County Councilwoman who stated the pandemic gave children a new level of access to the internet and safeguards were failed to be maintained by both parents, schools and online providers. Additional supporting testimony was provided by a chaplain, Missouri Children’s Trust Fund, Exodus Road, a pediatric nurse, private citizens and a state public advocate. No opposing testimony was presented to the committee.
DESE Records
The House Children and Families Committee met on Tuesday morning to discuss HB 339, sponsored by Rep. Ann Kelley (R-Lamar). Currently, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is required to keep a record of substantiated, signed parental complaints against licensed childcare facilities, and DESE shall continue to make such complaints and findings available to the public upon request. HB 339, however, prohibits DESE from releasing information to the public that would identify the person who reports such a complaint. The committee went into an executive session where House Committee Substitute for HB 339 was voted do pass with consent status by a vote of 14-0. The substitute added the line stating no information identifying reporters of such complaints shall be made available to the public.
Condensed County Financial Statement
On Wednesday morning, the House Local Government Committee voted “do pass” on HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Peggy McGaugh (R-Carrollton). The committee vote was 16-0. 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.
Changes to the Initiative Petition Process
On Tuesday morning, the House Elections Committee heard HB 551, sponsored by Rep. John Martin (R-Columbia), and HB 575, sponsored by Rep. Brad Banderman (R-St. Clair), identical bills 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. HB 551 and HB 575 require signature pages to be printed on a form as specified by the Secretary of State (SOS). No measure circulating by petition shall claim to nullify or amend Federal law or accomplish any act that the U.S. Constitution requires to be accomplished by the General Assembly. 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 prior to the collection of signatures. HB 551 and HB 575 provide that signatures on initiative and referendum petitions submitted to the SOS are not open records under the Missouri Sunshine Law. 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 bills require 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 prior to the next general election. If a court orders a change that substantially alters the content of the official ballot title of an initiative or referendum petition, all signatures gathered before the change occurred must be invalidated. During discussion, Rep. Martin said similar legislation nearly passed the General Assembly last year. Rep. Banderman noted compensation for petition circulators is not restricted; the bill does restrict payment per signature collected. Testifying in support of the bills was Sam Lee of Campaign Life Missouri, saying there should be stronger safeguards in the process. Opposing testimony on various portions of the bills was presented by Arnie Dienoff, Jobs With Justice Voter Action, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, and Action St. Louis Power Project. Information only testimony was offered by Amanda Bell of the Secretary of State’s Office.
Human Trafficking
The House Committee on Crime Prevention met Wednesday afternoon to discuss HB 615, sponsored by Representative Jeff Coleman (R-Grain Valley). This bill seeks to establish the "Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training" which will be composed of six members, including, among others, a representative of the Attorney General's Office, a representative of the Department of Public Safety, and a juvenile officer. The committee must annually evaluate and establish guidelines for required sex and human trafficking training. The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the Missouri Network Against Child Abuse testified in support of the bill. No opposing testimony was presented.
Missouri Banking Codes
The House Financial Institutions Committee convened Wednesday afternoon to discuss HB 754, sponsored by Representative Philip Oehlerking (R-Ballwin). The bill updates provisions within the state’s banking code, clarifying current law and providing relief for state charted banks. Specific changes include allowing banks to issue additional shares of stock, allowing banks to use video technology for board meetings, repeals staff loans and accounts at board meetings, waive the requirement to publish the bank call report in the local newspaper if they make it available to the public and clarifies inactive vs. abandoned accounts. Missouri Bankers Association testified in support of the bill. No testimony in opposition was provided.
Sunset Dates Repealed on Design-Build and Construction Manager-At-Risk
On Monday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee voted “do pass” on Senate Committee Substitute for SB 10, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), a bill that repeals the Sept. 1, 2026 sunset date on the authority for political subdivisions to use the design-build method of constructing buildings and facilities and makes technical corrections to the underlying law. The vote was 7-0. According to the bill the design-builder “shall” (currently “may”) not replace an identified contractor, subcontractor, design consultant, or sub-consultant without the written approval of the political subdivision. SCS SB 10 also repeals the Sept. 1, 2026, sunset date for the “construction manager-at-risk method” for civil works projects.
Protecting Elections from Non-U.S. Citizens
On Monday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee met to hear SB 62, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown (R-Washington), a bill modifying provisions relating to elections. The bill requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. SB 62 requires the Secretary of State and election authorities to perform system maintenance on a quarterly basis. Also, the clerk of each circuit court in Missouri is required to prepare and transmit monthly to the Secretary of State a complete list of all persons who identify themselves as not being U.S. citizens when called to jury duty. If an election authority determines that a person, who is not eligible to vote, did register to vote or did vote in an election, the election authority shall execute and deliver to the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and the relevant prosecuting or circuit attorney an affidavit stating the relevant facts. If the Secretary of State finds that reasonable grounds appear that the alleged election offense was committed, the Secretary of State may issue a probable cause statement and refer the offense to the Attorney General (currently to the appropriate prosecuting attorney). Organizations testifying in support of SB 62 included Americans for Citizen Voting, Heritage Action for America, Secure Election Project Liberty Link Missouri, Gasconade County Republican Club, and the Secretary of State’s legislative director, Amanda Bell. Testifying in opposition were Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, Secure Democracy, League of Women Voters of Missouri, ACLU of Missouri, and Missouri National Education Association. Information only testimony was presented by Directors of Elections for St. Louis County and St. Charles County. The committee took no action on the bill.
Water Exportation
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources convened Thursday morning to consider passage of SB 82, sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger (R-Benton). The bill specifies that it is unlawful for any person to withdraw from any water source for export outside the state of Missouri unless a water export permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources is held. The language also establishes an application process for any water exportation and outlines the process for renewing issued permits. During committee discussion, substitute language was adopted to clarify the Department of Natural Resources must notify the county commission within 30 days of receiving a permit application, allow designees to be assigned for the members of the Missouri Water Resources Commission to ensure representation and removed a redundant statutory reference. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 5-0 vote.
The committee then turned its attention to SB 29, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean (R-Peach Orchard). The bill is the Senate companion to SB 82, highlighted above. However, in an attempt to have multiple legislative vehicles, the committee voted each bill separately. During committee discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to align the language to mirror SB 82 and once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 5-0 vote.
Trish Vincent Approved as Department of Revenue Director
On Wednesday, Patricia E. (Trish) Vincent received unanimous approval by the Senate Gubernatorial Committee in her new position as Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). Vincent assumed the role of DOR Director on Jan. 13, 2025, awaiting Missouri Senate confirmation. Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe had announced Vincent’s appointment on Jan. 6, 2025. Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) introduced Vincent to the committee. During the committee hearing, Vincent was asked about several issues including St. Louis County Collector’s office having difficulty with mail pickup and delivery, car dealers soon collecting sales taxes on newly-purchased vehicles, a process which should begin in late 2026 or early 2027, and temporary license tags which are often seen as out-of-date on vehicles which is “very aggravating” to Vincent, who said she is trying every solution she can to solve that problem. Most recently, Vincent served as Executive Deputy Secretary of State and Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. Vincent has decades of experience in state government, including serving as the Director of Revenue and Chief of Staff for Governor Matt Blunt, and in the Office of the State Auditor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lincoln University. On Thursday, Vincent’s appointment was unanimously approved by the full Senate.
Relating to County Officials
The Senate dedicated floor time Tuesday afternoon to debate SB 1, sponsored by Senator Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo). The bill includes several provisions relating to county officials. Specifically, the bill allows county corners that fill the slot of sheriffs to receive that salary, allows salary commissions to amend the base salary schedule, allows county collectors to conduct tax sales via electronic media, allows county auditors to audit and examine claims, excludes the Boone County sheriff from the current salary schedule, and changes statutes concerning public administrators. During floor debate, the sponsor offered a floor substitute to remove the county collectors’ provisions that allowed a county collector to hold an auction of lands with delinquent property taxes through electronic media at the same time as said auction is held in-person. Once modified, the Senate provided its first of two necessary approval votes. The Senate dedicated floor time Thursday morning to revisit SB 1. After no debate, the Senate passed the bill by a 31-0 vote. The bill now will be sent to the House for further consideration.
The Senate then turned its attention towards SB 2, also sponsored by Senator Crawford. The bill allows certain counties to file abbreviated financial statements and requires publishers to charge market rates for this publication. Additionally, the bill allows for a one-time fine forgiveness program for counties that fail to timely file financial statements. After no debate, the Senate provided its first of two necessary approval votes. The Senate dedicated floor time Thursday morning to revisit SB 2. After no debate, the Senate passed the bill by a 32-0 vote. The bill now will be sent to the House for further consideration.
Senate-Government Efficiency
2/10/25 2:00 PM
Committee Hearing, SCR 2
SB221 Schroer - Modifies the standard of review for agency interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and subregulatory documents
House-Ways and Means
2/10/25 4:30 PM or upon adjournment (whichever is later)
Committee Hearing, HR 5
HB411 Williams - Requires the department of revenue to implement a property tax mapping feature and place all tax maps prominently on the department home page
House-Elections
2/11/25 8:00 AM
Committee Hearing, HR 5
Executive Session:
HB551 Martin - Modifies provisions for initiative petitions and referendums
HB575 Banderman - Modifies provisions for initiative petitions and referendums
House-Children and Families
2/11/25 8:00 AM
Committee Hearing, HR 6
Executive Session:
HB236 Gallick - Establishes provisions relating to civil liability for publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet
House-Budget
2/11/25 8:15 AM
Committee Hearing, HR 3
Budget presentations from the Office of the Secretary of State (HB 12), Department of Commerce and Insurance (HB 7), Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (HB 7), and the Department of Economic Development (HB 7). No public testimony will be taken.
