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.
When the 9th week of Session concluded, the House Rules – Legislative Committee had voted out a large bill seeking to legalize video lottery terminals and so-called gray machines, and the Senate had perfected the omnibus public safety bill it received from the House a few weeks ago, which includes state control of the St. Louis Police.
The House maintained its heavy rotation of committee hearings this week, and it perfected bills relating to topics as varied as building codes, state tax commissions, motor vehicle and personal property assessments, and school transportation. The Senate, after multiple gridlocks the last couple years, continued to perfect and third read multiple bills this week. In addition to the aforementioned crime bill, the Senate passed bills relating to agricultural tax credits, water preservation rights, higher education, and foster care.
Next week is the last legislative week prior to the Legislative Spring Break, during which legislative activity will be placed on hold. When Session resumes thereafter, the General Assembly will have eight legislative weeks remaining. It remains to be seen whether and to what extent it can avoid break downs, especially in the filibuster-rich Senate, as it is presented with passing the state budget and a number of contested issues, including health care, abortion, and sick leave benefits.
St. Louis Mayor Race Update, Runoff Election Set for Next Month
The 2025 race for St. Louis mayor is officially a rematch. Alderwoman Cara Spencer won the primary for St. Louis mayor Tuesday evening. Current Mayor Tishaura Jones and Cara Spencer are now the top two candidates and will compete head-to-head in the April 8th general election. Spencer received 23,785 votes, whereas Jones only received 11,582. Current Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler was third with 8,679 and retired utility executive Andrew Jones garnered 4,757.
State Revenues Tick Upward
After several lackluster months, February 2025 state tax revenues have risen by 5.9%. The increase in revenue equates to about $48 million more in tax receipts this February compared to last year. Fiscal year-to-date, tax receipts are still slightly negative (-1.36%), lagging just about $115 million behind from last fiscal year.
Governor Appointments - Former Senate President & Former US Congressman
This week, Governor Mike Kehoe announced three appointments to various boards and filled two county office vacancies. Former Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz, of Sullivan, was appointed as the Franklin County Presiding Commissioner; Kathy Lambertz, of Harrisonville, was appointed as the Cass County Clerk; Scott Albers, of Country Club, was appointed to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors; William "Blaine" Luetkemeyer, of St. Elizabeth, was appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators; and Todd Michalski, of St. Joseph, was appointed to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors. Schatz formerly served as the Missouri Senate President Pro-Tem and Luetkemeyer served a long-time US Congressman from central Missouri.
Budget Update
This week the House approved HB 14, which is nearly a $2 billion supplemental budget to fund the state government through the rest of the current fiscal year. The legislature typically passes supplemental budget every year and it is common for unexpected financial needs to arise or for programs to cost more in reality than the projects that were approved in the previous year’s budget. The supplemental budget was submitted by Governor Kehoe and according to the House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton (R-Seneca), this year’s supplemental budget was less expensive than anticipated. The allocations include about $300 million for public education, largely because last year’s education bill passed late in the session and wasn’t accounted for in the budget. Also included is new money for the Department of Natural Resources for wastewater management, funding for the Department of Mental Health to clear its waitlist for services for the developmentally disabled and funding for the Department of Agriculture to hire a staff member to respond to the current bird flu epidemic. Other specific items that were funded in Supplemental budget include:
The Supplemental now heads to the Senate for further consideration. As the funding is essential for various offices to maintain its operations through the end of the fiscal year, It is excepted that the Senate Appropriations Committee will start reviewing the proposal as early as next week
Media Literacy, Critical Thinking & Appropriate Online Behavior
The House Rules Administrative Committee convened Tuesday afternoon to consider passage of HB 116, sponsored by Representative Jim Murphy (R-St. Louis). The bill requires DESE to develop a two-year "media literacy and critical thinking" pilot program in five to seven school districts across the state beginning in the 2026-25 school year with the purpose of promoting student's ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and participate in all forms of media with an emphasis on appropriate online behavior. The committee voted the bill do pass by a vote of 10-0.
Regulations for Drones Outlined in Three House Bills
The House Emerging Issues Committee gathered Monday afternoon to hear three bills sponsored by Rep. Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah), regarding use of drones. Below are the three bills followed by testimony in favor and opposed.
HB 209, a bill that establishes the “Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act.” The bill specifies that no state agency, county, or municipal law enforcement agency is permitted to use a drone or other unmanned aircraft, as defined in the bill, to gather evidence or other information pertaining to criminal conduct, unless it is authorized in a warrant. A law enforcement agency may use a drone or unmanned aircraft in response to state, national, or local emergency situations, as specified in the bill such as fires, hostage crises, hot pursuit situations, and search and rescue operations. A portion of the bill does not prohibit the operation of a drone by “any federally certified pilot of unmanned aircraft in the normal course of business” or by a Missouri-based higher education institution conducting educational, research, or training programs within its mission, grant requirements, curriculum, or collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense. HB 209 specifies that a person commits the offense of unlawful operation of a drone if they launch, land, or operate the drone on private property, on farms, over open-air facilities such as sports stadiums, or within certain operating limits within a private property line, without permission from the property owner. The bill includes “easements” as well as public rights-of-way, and allows the State Highway Patrol to fly drones above the state highway system. Also in the bill, drones operated by officials associated with public and private utilities and electric cooperatives; federally certified pilots; law enforcement or public safety departments; fire departments or fire protection districts; the Federal Railroad Administration; Realtors and land surveyors; and insurance companies are exempt from the provisions of the legislation. HB 209 makes the offense of unlawful use of drone a class A misdemeanor. The bill also prohibits the highest ranking law enforcement chief or officer to approve the placement of a camera on private property.
HB 210 establishes the "Unmanned Aerial Systems Security Act of 2025." HB 210 prohibits the purchase or use by a government agency of a drone or any related service or equipment produced by a manufacturer domiciled in a country of concern, as defined in the bill, including China, Russia, Iran, Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria. Rep. Van Schoiack said he likely will provide a substitute bill that does not specifically name foreign countries but will refer to a federal list of foreign countries of concern. The bill establishes three tiers of drone classifications based on a drone’s capabilities and functions. Drones in use by a government agency are prohibited from being connected to the Internet except for command, control, coordination, or communication to the ground control stations. The bill specifies security precautions government agencies must use when connecting a drone or its software to a computer or network of a government agency. All communications from and to a drone must be encrypted. The Missouri Department of Transporatation must identify sensitive installations within the state of Missouri for prohibiting drone usage over those locations. The bill lists class B misdemeanors for flying over prohibited locations.
HB 1101 creates the offense of unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft over a crime scene, critical incident, law enforcement tactical operation, or hazardous material site, which is a class A misdemeanor and which a person commits if he or she operates an unmanned aircraft within a certain distance from a crime scene, critical incident, law enforcement tactical operation, or hazardous material site or allows an unmanned aircraft to make contact with this type of location. The bill provides exceptions to the offense, including for a person who has written consent to operate the unmanned aircraft over a crime scene and other critical sites; employees of law enforcement, fire departments or emergency medical services; government officials or employees exercising their duties; a public utility or rural electric cooperative; an employee of a railroad; or a person operating an unmanned aircraft under and in compliance with any waiver issued by the Federal Aviation Authority under 14 C.F.R Section 107.200.
Testimony in favor of HB 210: State Armor Action represented by James Harris, saying national security agencies have been saying that Chinese drones have been posing severe security risks, and that China controls almost 90 percent of the drone market now.
Testimony mostly in opposition to HB 209, HB 210, HB 1101: Numerous witnesses testified in opposition to the bills, saying the cost of drones made in various countries are dramatically different and studies have been done validating that Chinese drones do not gather data information. Opposing witnesses included the National Law Enforcement Drone Association, St. Charles County Police Department, Branson Police Department, High Ridge Fire Protection District, Missouri Prosecutors Association, Monarch Fire Protection District near Chesterfield, Pettis County Sheriff’s Department, and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Department. Other comments of opposition included that HB 209 conflicts with current federal law, and courts have said states cannot restrict drones; law enforcement often flies drones today over private property without the owners’ consent; everything possible is being done to not share information that China would want; there has not been any proof that data has been leaked to China from Chinese-made drones; China already gets information about locations and other data through Google and other technology; Pettis County does not conduct warrant-less surveillance of its citizens and the county’s current fleet of 10 DJI drones cost about $100,000; there is an aerial trespass statute in Missouri but it does not apply to drones; and when buying a U.S.-made drone it takes at least six to 12 months to receive the drone after ordering it.
The committee took no action on the three bills.
County Officials
The House Committee on Local Government convened Wednesday morning to consider passage of HB 249, sponsored by Representative Rodger Reedy (R-Windsor). The bill includes several provisions relating to county officials. Specifically, it allows county corners that fill the role 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 discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to remove the provision regarding collectors conducting online tax sales and moves the date from the public administrators’ provisions from 2026 to 2024. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 13-0 vote.
The committee then turned its attention towards SB 1, sponsored by Senator Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo). This is the Senate companion to HB 249, highlighted above. The Missouri Association of Public Administrators, and Missouri Association of County Auditors supported the bill. No opposing testimony was presented to the committee.
Tax Mapping
The House Ways and Means Committee met Monday afternoon to consider passage of HB 411, sponsored by Representative Cecelie Williams (R-Dittmer). The bill requires the department of revenue to implement a property tax mapping feature and place all tax maps prominently on the department home page. No supporting or opposing testimony was presented. During committee discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to clarify the auditor will help provide information. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 7-3 vote.
Annual Budgets of Political Subdivisions
The House Committee on Local Government met on Wednesday morning to discuss 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. The Municipal League of Metro St. Louis, and a private citizen supported the bill and highlighted the provisions ensure everyone has time to familiarize themselves with budget documents before voting. No opposing testimony was presented to the committee.
Closing Some Vital Records Now Available
On Monday afternoon, the House Legislative Review Committee voted “do pass” in executive session on HB 838, sponsored by Rep. Jim Schulte (R-New Bloomfield). The vote was 8-0. Currently, it is unlawful for any person to permit the inspection of, or to disclose information that is contained in, vital records, except in certain circumstances - one of which is that a list of persons who were born or who died on a particular date may be disclosed to a person upon his or her request, but no information from the record except for the name and the relevant date will be disclosed. HB 838 repeals that authorization. Rep. Schulte had said some requests of such names have led to criminal activity and identity theft.
Water Exportation
The House Committee on Agriculture convened Tuesday morning to consider passage of HB 1295, sponsored by Representative Cameron Parker (R-Campbell). This is the House companion to SB 29 and 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. Additionally, the bill requires a permit application recommendation be submitted to the General Assembly and the permit is deemed denied if the General Assembly does not take action on the recommendation within sixty days. Finally, the bill also outlines the process for renewing issued permits. During committee discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to align the bill with SB 29 and remove the provision creating a Missouri Water Resource Commission. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 16-3 vote.
MoDOT Contracts and Requirements
On Wednesday afternoon, the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee gathered to hear HB 1369, sponsored by Rep. Josh Hurlbert (R-Smithville), a bill regarding Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) contracts. HB 1369 makes all general specification documents issued by MoDOT under Section 226.096, RSMo, subject to the rulemaking requirements of Chapter 536 to ensure public notice, comment, and legislative oversight. The bill is a result of MoDOT changing its concrete specifications and requirements with little input from suppliers. Testifying in favor of the bill was INFRA, representing the state’s quarries and sand industry. INFRA believes 30 to 40 percent of stone quarries will not be able to pass MoDOT requirements as the I-70 expansion project continues across the state. The Vice President of Riverstone Group, one of the largest mining operations in Missouri, said he feels an injustice in the process MoDOT led. Riverstone Group has about four quarries in question for MoDOT projects. The Missouri Concrete Association and Arnie Dienoff also testified in support of the bill. Dienoff said MoDOT needs to make a better effort to determine why some I-44 pavement and some eastern Missouri pavement have failed because of concrete ingredients. There was no testimony in opposition to the bill. Information only testimony was provided by Eric Schroeter, Deputy Director of MoDOT, who discussed the specifications process. MoDOT works quarterly with Missouri concrete companies and other suppliers to determine specifications on various projects. MoDOT’s “Spec Book” is online, he said. To comply with HB 1369, the rules process would need to be followed. Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville) emphasized that MoDOT should go by the rules process. Schroeter said that might take more than a year under the rules change process. Rep. Don Mayhew (R-Crocker) asked if industry partners bring suggestions to MoDOT. Schroeter said this specific change regarding concrete came internally from MoDOT, because some pavement projects are not providing the lifetime MoDOT had wanted, and “was there something we could change to provide a longer life.” He said three or four more of the I-70 regional expansion projects will need to meet the new specifications for the type of concrete, and the new specs will take effect in June or July. Schroeter said MoDOT will be consulting with industry partners in the next few days. The committee took no action on the bill.
Judicial Security
The House Judiciary Committee met Wednesday morning to discuss HB 1457, sponsored by Representative David Hinman (R-O’Fallon). The bill amends the Judicial Privacy Act to include circuit clerks, deputy circuit clerks, division clerks, and municipal clerks in the definition of "judicial officer". The bill also amends the definition of written request and amends the offense of tampering with a judicial officer and the offense of tampering with a judicial proceeding to prohibit a convicted person from parole or probation. Testifying in support of the bill were the Missouri Association of Court Administration and Supreme Court on behalf of the Judicial Conference. Testifying in opposition to the bill was a state public advocate.
Fiscal Oversight for Administrative Rules
The Senate Committee on Government Efficiency met Monday afternoon to discuss SB 350, sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit). For any proposed administrative rule submitted by a state agency that will result in the expenditure of public funds or a reduction in state revenues greater than $250,000, the bill provides that such proposed rule shall not become effective until approved by the General Assembly through passage of a concurrent resolution. During committee discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to require legislative approval also in the event a proposed rule will result in a loss of income to an individual or business of greater than $250,000, and also included language stating that provisions will not apply to emergency rules or rules required by federal law or for federal funding. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 4-0 vote.
The Process of Changing the State’s Constitution
On Monday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee heard four Senate Joint Resolutions, as follows:
SJR 10, sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove). Currently, the Missouri Constitution requires any Constitutional amendment or new Constitution to be approved by a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure. This Constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, requires any Constitutional amendment or new Constitution to be approved by both a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure statewide and a simple majority of the votes cast in a majority of the State House of Representatives districts. Also, no person shall be eligible to vote on any measure submitted to the people that amends, repeals, or replaces this Constitution, whether submitted through the initiative petition process, by the General Assembly, or by a Constitutional Convention, unless such person is a legal resident of the state of Missouri and a citizen of the United States of America.
SJR 11, a proposed State Constitutional amendment sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean (R-Holcomb). If approved by voters, this constitutional amendment requires: Initiative petitions proposing constitutional amendments to gather signatures equal to 15 percent of the legal voters in all eight of the Congressional districts; and Initiative petitions proposing laws to gather signatures equal to 10 percent of the legal voters in all eight of the Congressional districts. Currently, initiative petitions seeking to amend the Constitution must gather signatures equal to 8 percent of the legal voters in two-thirds of the Congressional districts, and initiative petitions seeking to propose laws must gather signatures equal to 5 percent of the legal voters in two-thirds of the Congressional districts. Also, SJR 11 modifies the process for approving initiatives. Currently, any initiated measure, whether a law or a Constitutional amendment, takes effect when approved by a majority of the votes cast. SJR 11 stipulates that an initiative still must receive a simple majority but also the total number of votes in support cannot be less than 35 percent of the total number of ballots cast in the election.
SJR 30, a State Constitutional amendment sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown (R-Washington). SJR 30 requires all Constitutional amendments proposed by the initiative or constitutional convention and all new constitutions to receive a majority of the votes cast statewide as well as a majority of the votes cast in at least a majority of the eight Congressional districts. The amendment prohibits foreign country or foreign political party sponsorship of, or contributions to an election, in support or opposition of a proposed constitutional amendment. A government of a foreign country or a foreign political party cannot make an expenditure for electioneering communication (print, broadcast, or digital media) related to a proposed constitutional amendment. SJR 30 requires that legal voters in each Congressional district be given the opportunity to review and comment upon all initiative petitions proposing Constitutional amendments after the filing of the petition with the Secretary of State, not less than 15 days before the measure appears on the ballot. Such a process shall be administered by the Secretary of State in a public forum.
SJR 47, sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-Granby), was presented. Current law provides that any State Constitutional amendment or new Constitution takes effect when approved by a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure. SJR 47, if approved by the voters, requires any Constitutional amendment or new Constitution to be approved by both a simple majority of the votes cast on the measure statewide and a simple majority of the votes cast in at least three-quarters of the eight Congressional districts in the state. The amendment also prohibits campaign committees in support or opposition of a proposed Constitutional amendment or new Constitution from knowingly accepting contributions from foreign governments, foreign political parties, or foreign nationals.
Testifying in favor of the Senate Joint Resolutions: Sam Lee for Campaign Life Missouri, urging that such legislation needs to pass this year or next year to combat an initiative petition that is being prepared; Ron Calzone with Missouri First, who said 72 percent of the states have set a higher bar than Missouri for making changes to the State Constitution; Missouri Farm Bureau testified in favor of each of the four resolutions; A Jefferson County resident said while it is difficult to change the federal Constitution, it’s not as difficult to change Missouri’s Constitution; Also testifying in favor were Liberty Link Missouri and ArmorVine.
Testimony in opposition to the Senate Joint Resolutions: Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, criticizing the disproportionate requirements from one district to another; Missouri Association of Realtors; League of Women Voters of Missouri; American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri; Missouri National Education Association; and four residents from various parts of the state.
The committee took no action on the SJRs.
Posting of Notices
The House dedicated floor time Wednesday morning to debate HB 233, sponsored by Representative 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 the notices be posted at least 15 days in advance of the hearing in at least two places in each township. After little debate, the House provided the first of two necessary approval votes.
HB 1606 Fix - Financial Statements
The House dedicated floor time Tuesday morning to debate HB 352, sponsored by Representative Peggy McGaugh (R-Carrolton). 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 cities and counties that fail to timely file financial statements. After brief debate, the House provided its first of two necessary approval votes. The House dedicated floor time Thursday morning to revisit HB 352. After no debate, the House passed the bill by an 156-1 vote. The bill now will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
Water Exportation
The Senate dedicated floor time Thursday morning to revisit 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 establishes an application process for any water exportation and outlines the process for renewing issued permits. The latest variation of the bill clarifies it is unlawful for any person to withdraw water for exportation by use of a pipeline facility, unless the withdrawal and ultimate end use of the water by a pipeline facility is within 30 miles of the state border and requires the water exportation permit application shall include all water exportation requested by the applicant. After brief discussion, the Senate passed the bill by a 31-1 vote. The bill now will be sent to the House for further consideration.
Standards of Review for Agency Interpretations
The Senate dedicated floor time Thursday morning to revisit SB 221, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon). The bill seeks to modify the standards for review for a state agency's interpretation of statutes, rules, regulations, and other subregulatory documents. Specifically, a court or administrative hearing officer shall interpret the meaning and effect of such statutes, rules, regulations, and documents de novo, rather than de novo upon motion by a party if the action only involves the agency's application of the law to the facts and does not involve administrative discretion. Further, after applying customary tools of interpretation, the court or officer shall exercise any remaining doubt in favor of a reasonable interpretation that limits agency power and maximizes individual liberty. After no debate, the Senate passed the bill by a 25-7 vote. The bill will now be sent to the House for further consideration.
