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.
Due to the observance of the Easter holiday on Monday, this week at the Missouri Capitol was brief but productive, as lawmakers returned Tuesday and worked within a shortened schedule. With only five weeks left in the legislative session, activity remained focused and deliberate, with committees and floor debate continuing to move legislation forward. The abbreviated schedule highlighted the increasing pressure to make meaningful progress as session deadlines draw closer. The Missouri Senate faces significant headwinds in the weeks ahead to deliver many of the key priorities of the leadership defined at the beginning of the year. We fully expect the Senate to debate at length a proposal to place a ballot question at the November election on phasing out the state income tax and to replace with a statewide sales tax on goods and services.
Governor Kehoe Signs Three Bills into Law
This week, during a bill signing ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol, Governor Mike Kehoe signed three pieces of legislation into law: Senate Bill (SB) 888, and House Bills (HB) 1908 and 2273.
SB 888, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer and Representative Brad Christ, modifies provisions relating to the criminal systems.
HB 1908, sponsored by Representatives Cecelie Williams and Raychel Proudie and Senator Jill Carter, modifies provisions relating to the dissolution of marriage or legal separation and pregnancy status.
HB 2273, sponsored by Representative Ed Lewis and Senator Jill Carter, modifies and establishes provisions relating to the protection of children and vulnerable persons.
Budget Update
There was no budget activity in either chamber this week as the legislature operated on a shortened schedule. However, work behind the scenes continues, and the Senate Appropriations Committee is aiming to take up and markup the budget next week. With the constitutional deadline to pass the budget set for May 8, that timeline leaves little room for delay as lawmakers prepare to move into the final stages of the process. We expect the Senate floor activity to be shortened next week to allow the Senate Appropriations Committee ample time to work through the fiscal year 2027 state budget and send the committee version of the budget bills forward for full floor debate and passage in the weeks ahead.
Phasing Out the Income Tax
The Senate Committee on Economic and Workforce Development convened Tuesday afternoon to discuss passage of HJR 173, sponsored by Representative Bishop Davidson (R-Republic). The resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to gradually eliminate the state individual income tax, potentially reaching zero by January 1, 2032, through incremental rate reductions triggered when net general revenue growth exceeds inflation-adjusted thresholds. It also authorizes the legislature to expand state and local sales and use taxes to goods and services if doing so supports eliminating the income tax, while requiring certain local tax reductions. During committee discussion, a Senate Committee Substitute was adopted, which makes several notable changes. The substitute modifies the House version by changing the revenue baseline used to trigger tax rate reductions from a FY2025 benchmark to net general revenue as of January 1 of FY2027, and by revising how inflation is calculated to use a July–June fiscal-year CPI measurement rather than a September–August period. It also limits the mechanism for continued tax reductions by ending annual adjustment calculations if the income tax is not fully eliminated by 2032, instead of allowing the process to continue indefinitely. Additionally, the substitute alters how constitutional sales tax rates are adjusted—requiring reductions tied directly to revenue generated from base expansions rather than pegging them to a historical median—and adds a requirement that any increase in sales and use tax revenue be offset by equal or greater reductions in income tax revenue. Finally, it extends the timeframe for certain constitutional revenue-limit exemptions from three years to five years and updates the ballot language to further emphasize reductions in personal property and other local taxes tied to revenue increases. These changes collectively tighten the fiscal triggers, clarify implementation mechanics, and strengthen requirements that any shift toward sales taxes be balanced with corresponding income tax reductions. As amended, the committee passed the bill by a 5-1 vote.
Omnibus Civil Actions
The Senate Committee on General Laws convened Tuesday afternoon to discuss passage of HB 1664, sponsored by Representative Brian Seitz (R-Branson). This is an omnibus civil actions bill and includes provisions regarding sexual offenses, property damages, personal injury and insurance and fraud claims. With no discussion, the committee passed the bill by a 5-1 vote.
Artificial Intelligence Cause of Action
The House Committee on Emerging Issues convened Wednesday afternoon to discuss passage of HB 1747, sponsored by Representative Scott Miller (R-St Charles). The bill requires any image, video, or audio generated or modified using artificial intelligence (AI) to include a visible or audible disclosure indicating that the content was created or altered using AI. The disclosure would be standardized and developed by the Secretary of State. The bill also establishes a private right of action, allowing individuals harmed by a violation of the disclosure requirement to seek damages in court. During committee discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to align the definition of AI with HB 1746, add a grandfather clause, outline how AI identification markers are to be utilized and displayed, and change certain provisions from “shall” to “may.” As modified, the committee passed the bill by a 5-3 vote, with two members voting present.
Distributing Harmful Material to Minors on the Internet
The Senate Committee on General Laws convened Wednesday afternoon to receive public testimony on HB 1839, sponsored by Representatives Sherri Gallick (R-Belton). The bill requires websites that have more than 33% of their published material deemed harmful to minors to verify if a person is at least 18 years old. Additionally, the bill excludes bona fide news sites or public broadcasts and prohibits the retention of any identifying information of an individual. Finally, the bill outlines the civil penalties. Supporting testimony was presented by the Missouri Children’s Trust Fund who stated the proliferation and exposure to online pornography is psychologically damaging to minors and this legislation seeks to protect child development. Additional supporting testimony was provided by the Missouri Catholic Conference and the Missouri Network Against Child Abuse. Opposing testimony was presented by the Missouri ACLU who argued this infringes on free speech and there are data collection and privacy concerns. Additional opposing testimony was provided by a public advocate.
Newspapers’ Legal Publication Requirements
On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee held a hearing on 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 for publishing public notices in their communities. 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 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. Rep. McGaugh told the committee that the legislation “is an important bill to local governments.” She cited some communities that have lost their local newspapers, and that local governments need local notices published for elections and bids. She said the three-year publication requirement for new newspapers is the longest of any state. Chad Stebbins, executive director of the Missouri Press Association, testified in support of the bill and noted recent examples in Trenton and Willow Springs where newspaper publication had ended and then had started again. Also testifying in support of the bill was the Missouri Municipal League, saying this is a statewide issue, and the bill will solve a problem in Missouri. The Missouri Association of Counties also testified in favor of the bill. There was no testimony in opposition. The committee took no action on the bill.
Unmanned Aircrafts
The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence convened Wednesday morning to discuss passage of HB 2587, sponsored by Representative Mike Jones (R-Kansas City). The bill makes it illegal to operate drones over prisons, certain large venues, critical infrastructure, and mental health hospitals without authorization, especially for delivering contraband or aiding crimes. Penalties range from infractions to felonies, with exceptions for approved personnel, and law enforcement is empowered to disable threatening drones. During debate, the sponsor successfully amended the bill to narrow its scope and restructure it by focusing primarily on open-air and critical infrastructure facilities, adding new sections that explicitly authorize trained law enforcement (“authorized individuals”) to detect, track, and mitigate threatening drones, and clarifying exemptions for lawful commercial and facility-related drone use. During discussion, a Senate Committee Substitute was adopted to mirror the language contained in SB 1421, the Senate companion bill. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 6-0 vote.
The House Committee on Emerging Issues convened Wednesday afternoon to receive public testimony on SB 1421, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon). The bill makes it illegal to operate drones over prisons, certain large venues, critical infrastructure, and mental health hospitals without authorization, especially for delivering contraband or aiding crimes. Penalties range from infractions to felonies, with exceptions for approved personnel, and law enforcement is empowered to disable threatening drones. Additionally, the bill contains language to narrow its scope and restructure it by focusing primarily on open-air and critical infrastructure facilities, adding new sections that explicitly authorize trained law enforcement (“authorized individuals”) to detect, track, and mitigate threatening drones, and clarifying exemptions for lawful commercial and facility-related drone use. Supporting testimony was presented by the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. No opposing testimony was presented to the committee.
Uniform Public Expression Protection Act
On Wednesday afternoon, the House Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing on House Bill 2666, sponsored by Rep. Ben Keathley (R-Chesterfield), a bill establishing the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. The bill relates to causes of action filed against people who exercise certain constitutional rights. The legislation is also known as anti-SLAPP (anti-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). The bill specifies that, when a person, defined in the bill as "an individual, estate, trust, partnership, business or nonprofit entity, governmental unit, or other legal entity,” has a cause of action filed against the person based upon the person's communication in a governmental meeting or proceeding or on an issue under consideration in a governmental meeting or proceeding, or when the person exercises the person's right of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assemble, or the right of association, that person may file a special motion to dismiss the cause of action. The bill establishes procedures for such special motions to be dismissed. The bill specifies under which circumstances a court may award costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, and reasonable litigation expenses. The provisions of the bill apply to civil actions filed on or after Aug. 28, 2026. Testimony in support of the bill was offered by James Harris for the Institute for Free Speech, noting that 36 states have updated their anti-SLAPP laws, and Heath Clarkston, representing the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Broadcasters Association, which have supported this legislation for many years. The bill is similar to Senate Bill 1067, sponsored by Sen. Mike Henderson (R-Desloge), which passed the Senate, 31-0, and was reported to the House on April 2.
Expungement
The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence convened Wednesday morning to receive public testimony on HB 2747, sponsored by Representative Bishop Davidson (R-Republic). The bill seeks to modify the expungement process. Specifically, the bill will provide automatic, technologically enabled, expungements for non-violent offenders who are already eligible. Additionally, this bill includes provisions for adjudication in death-penalty cases. As it stands, when the jury is not fully unanimous, Missouri gives discretion to judges for sentencing, allowing them to impose the death penalty. Under this bill, only unanimous juries can sentence capital punishment. Supporting testimony was provided by Arch Dioses of St. Louis, Peace Justice Commission and Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty who stated that you do not have to believe in the death penalty to support this bill. They do not want the death penalty taken out of the hands of a jury and put in the hands of a singular elected judge. This would also update the expungement process and enhance workforce development. Additional supporting testimony was provided by Empower Missouri, Missouri Faith Voices, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NAACP, Missouri Catholic Conference, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, Missouri State Public Defenders, and Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation. Opposing testimony was provided by Missouri Sheriffs United who stated this bill would eliminate the victim’s ability to testify during the expungement hearing. Other opposing testimony was provided by a state public advocate. Informational testimony was provided by the Missouri Insurance Coalition who stated that they have concerns about notification of the expungement process so that those that may be exposed to liabilities are notified appropriately. Additional informational testimony was provided by the Judicial Conference of Missouri and the Deputy Attorney General.
Omnibus Judiciary Bill Emerges
House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3116, sponsored by Rep. Cameron Parker (R-Campbell), was brought up by the House Rules-Administrative Committee on Thursday morning, and voted do pass. The original bill notes that when a lawsuit is filed against non-resident motorists, there are certain rules to determine which venue is proper to bring such a lawsuit. The bill updates the range of sections in state statutes under which lawsuits of this nature are brought. Previously added to the bill was an amendment featuring provisions of three bills by Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville): House Bills 1711, 1713, and 3072. House Bill 1711 establishes the "Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act,” specifying the procedures and processes for the submission of a foreign subpoena that originates in a state other than Missouri, and the processes by which Missouri county clerks must administer foreign subpoenas. These provisions apply to requests for discovery in cases pending August 28, 2026. House Bill 1713 grants circuit courts the ability to dissolve limited liability companies under certain conditions. And House Bill 3072 permits the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission to change the name, information, or fee arrangement of the attorney or law firm representing a claimant upon the filing of a written agreement, signed by both the claimant and the attorney and the new attorney, with the Commission.
Changes in Court Records by Supreme Court Rules
On Thursday morning, the House Rules-Administrative Committee met to consider passage of House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3289, sponsored by Rep. Cameron Parker (R-Campbell), relating to court operations. The bill was passed out of committee. It makes technical changes to the Statewide Court Automation Fund, and it makes changes to the makeup of the Court Automation Committee. A committee amendment to the bill develops treatment courts in certain circuits, and adds a treatment courts administrator, subject to appropriations. The bill also creates definitions for the statutes related to court records and the statewide court automation system. The definitions include, among others, "case record,” "confidential information,” and "minor child.” The bill requires confidential information and confidential records in a case record to be inaccessible to the general public, as provided under the Missouri Supreme Court rules. The bill makes changes to the information that must be redacted from court documents, including pleadings, attachments, and exhibits. The bill’s changes in definitions come from a Missouri Supreme Court ruling in December, which takes effect July 1.
Attempt to Reinstate the Presidential Primary Election
On Thursday morning, the full House brought up for third reading House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2387 & 2480, as amended, legislation by Rep. Brad Banderman (R-St. Clair), which would reinstate the Presidential Primary Election in Missouri on the first Tuesday in March of each presidential election year. The bill was third read and passed by a House vote of 116-23, and the bill now moves to the Senate. The bill also binds political party delegates on the county and state levels to the results of the Presidential Primary Election. The bill does not deal with absentee voting.
School Athletic Association Governing Boards
The Senate devoted floor time Tuesday afternoon to debate SB 863, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean (R-Holcomb), which originally proposed placing statewide activities associations under the oversight of a governor-appointed board serving four-year terms. During debate, however, the sponsor introduced a Senate substitute that shifts the approach from direct control to the creation of an Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission. Appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, the commission would hear appeals related to student athletic eligibility and contest procedures, with authority to issue final, binding decisions that activities associations must follow. The substitute also requires annual reporting to the legislature and clarifies that the measure applies primarily to organizations overseeing interscholastic athletics, excluding non-athletic student groups, thereby narrowing the bill’s scope while increasing accountability and state-level review of key decisions. As amended, the Senate provided its first of two necessary approval votes.
Senate-Local Government, Elections, and Pensions
4/13/26 2:00 PM
Committee Hearing, Senate Lounge
HB1871 McGaugh - Modifies provisions relating to elections
Senate-Fiscal Oversight
4/13/26 3:30 PM
Committee Hearing, SCR 2
Executive Session:
HJR173 Davidson - Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to taxation
SB863 Bean - Establishes the "Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission", a board of directors appointed by the Governor to hear appeals of certain decisions made by statewide activities associations
