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.
With just two weeks remaining in the legislative session, activity at the Capitol is intensifying as lawmakers work to finalize priorities ahead of adjournment. As the state budget approaches its critical May 8 deadline, it is expected to dominate the Legislature’s attention in the coming days, with negotiations and revisions driving the overall pace of activity. As timelines tighten, movement on other key legislation will continue alongside budget discussions, often with limited notice and rapidly evolving language.
This week the legislature sent several priority bills to the Governor’s desk including the establishment of an oversight board of the state high school activities association, updates to the state criminal justice system, increased penalties on contractors utilizing illegal aliens, and the expansion of telehealth services by medical providers to assist with serving rural areas of our state.
Weekly Reporting Pause – End of Session Report Provided Upon Adjournment
With the session now entering what is commonly referred to as “omnibus season,” nearly every bill still moving is being evaluated as a potential vehicle for carrying additional provisions, as lawmakers work to advance priority items before adjournment. Legislative activity is expected to become increasingly fluid and unpredictable, with significant amendments and last-minute changes anticipated across nearly all active bills, and activity running throughout the week and late into each evening. Accordingly, this will be our final weekly report of the session. We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide timely updates as key items progress toward the finish line. The session is scheduled to adjourn promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, after which we will provide a comprehensive final legislative report summarizing all enacted legislation and relevant amendments.
Budget Update
On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee met to review and finalize adjustments to House Bills 17, 18, 19, and 20, with the primary focus on aligning appropriations to actual expenditures and reallocating remaining funds across bills. In House Bill 17, the committee made broad reductions or eliminated funding for projects that have already been fully expended, while also shifting select funds and incorporating a few Senate priorities, including broadband-related items moved from other legislation. House Bill 18 saw limited changes, primarily restoring the governor’s recommended funding levels for certain maintenance and conservation projects.
House Bill 19 represented the most significant area of new spending, with the Senate adding tens of millions of dollars across key categories. This included roughly $15+ million for higher education and university-related projects, over $10 million for economic development initiatives, and more than $10 million for community, health, and social service projects, along with additional investments in local transportation and infrastructure improvements statewide. Notably, the bill also includes $15 million for a Jefferson City parking garage, a project that has drawn particular attention and debate.
House Bill 20, the ARPA-related appropriations bill, primarily reflected technical reductions due to prior spending, with the committee noting this is likely the final year for allocating those federal funds ahead of the December 2026 deadline. All four bills were passed unanimously out of committee with Senate substitutes, reflecting agreement on the updated budget allocations.
On Monday, May 4th, the official Conference Committee on State Budget will meet and the joint committee will work through the differences of the House and Senate passed versions of the fiscal year 2027 state operating budget. Upon completion of conference, we expect the House and Senate to take up and pass the bills beginning as early as Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. The Missouri Constitution requires the state budget to be completed by 6:00 pm on Friday, May 8th.
Film Tax Credits
The committee heard HB 2142, sponsored by Representative Colin Wellenkamp (R-St. Charles), known as the “Show MO Act.” The bill modifies Missouri’s tax credit program for motion media production projects. It establishes a base tax credit equal to 20% of qualifying in-state expenses, with additional incentives for productions that film primarily in Missouri, operate in rural or blighted areas, hire Missouri residents or apprentices, and promote the state. The program includes an authorization period through December 31, 2029. Supporting testimony was provided by Film Mid-MO and other stakeholders, who highlighted the program’s economic impact and job creation. Additional support came from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Missouri, the City of Independence, Motion Picture Association, and Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Opposing testimony was provided by a state public advocate and ArmorVine. Informational testimony was presented by the Missouri Film Office. Following the hearing, the committee entered executive session and voted 5-2 to pass the bill.
Attempt to Reinstate the Presidential Primary Election
On Monday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee conducted a hearing on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2387 & 2480, as amended, legislation by Rep. Brad Banderman (R-St. Clair), which would reinstate the Presidential Preference Primary Election in Missouri on the first Tuesday in March of each presidential election year. The bill also binds political party delegates on the county and state levels to the results of the Presidential Preference Primary. Party delegates will file a written pledge with the Secretary of State affirming that they will vote for the candidate to whom they are bound under for at least the first ballot. Rep. Banderman said the bill makes the Presidential Preference Primary useful and solves some timing issues for the election. He said the state would pay for the election. Testimony in support of the bill was presented by the Missouri Republican Party Executive Director Miles Ross, the Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Russ Carnahan, the Missouri Farm Bureau, and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. Ross said the Republican Party wants voters to have more access to the process. Carnahan said this is a unique and significant agreement between both state political parties, and he wants to make Missouri relevant. Testimony in opposition was presented by a Warren County resident who is a member of the Republican State Committee, who said she wants closed primaries instead of the bill’s proposals. A representative of ArmorVine also testified in opposition. The committee took no action on the bill.
Personal Expression at K-12 Schools
House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2682, sponsored by Rep. Darin Chappell (R-Rogersville), was heard by the Senate Education Committee on Thursday morning. The bill renames the "Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act" to the "Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act,” and the Act adds political and ideological expression to the current protections for public school students' religious expression. The only testimony on the bill was in opposition, offered by the Missouri National Education Association, citing technical concerns. Later, the committee voted “do pass” in executive session by a 5-0 vote. A Senate Committee Substitute to the bill added presidential fitness standards, along with immunity for school bathroom policies. SCS HCS HB 2682 must not be construed to limit school districts' ability to restrict speech that the First Amendment does not protect; speech that is so offensive that a student is effectively denied equal access to educational opportunities; or conduct that intentionally, materially, and substantially disrupts school operations. Any person or student organization harmed by a violation of this Act will have a private cause of action against the school. Any person or student organization distressed by a violation of this Act may assert such violation as a defense or counterclaim in any disciplinary action or in any civil or administrative proceeding. The bill also prohibits discrimination against student clubs based on their religious, political, or ideological viewpoints or any requirement that the members of the club adhere to the club's sincerely held beliefs, comply with the club's conduct standards, or further the club's mission, as such mission is defined by the club.
Senate Anti-SLAPP Bill Expanded by House Judiciary
On Tuesday afternoon, the House Judiciary Committee gathered and conducted a hearing on Senate Bill 1067, sponsored by Sen. Mike Henderson (R-Desloge), a bill that establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act” or anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation). Sen. Henderson said the bill is to protect speakers at public meetings and elsewhere, even on social media, from meritless lawsuits. Testifying in support of the bill was James Harris, representing the Institute for Free Speech; Doug Crews, representing the Missouri Press Association; Michael Henderson, representing the Missouri Broadcasters Association, and another witness representing Missouri Right to Life. There was no testimony in opposition.
On Wednesday afternoon, the House Judiciary Committee voted “do pass” on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1067, by a vote of 11-0. The omnibus House Committee Substitute now includes: House Bill 1711, sponsored by Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville), 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; House Bill 2666, sponsored by Rep. Ben Keathley (R-Chesterfield), anti-SLAPP bill; House Bill 3116, sponsored by Rep. Cameron Parker (R-Campbell), 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; House Bill 3289, sponsored by Rep. Cameron Parker (R-Campbell), creates definitions for the statutes related to court records and the statewide court automation system. 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; and House Bill 3468, sponsored by Rep. John Black (R-Marshfield), requires each circuit having a treatment court division to employ a treatment court administrator or coordinator if approved by the court and appropriations or other funds are available.
Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission - TAFP
On Thursday afternoon, the full House brought up for passage Senate Substitute #2 for Senate Bill 863, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean (R-Holcomb), creating provisions governing organizations that facilitate interscholastic athletic activities for high schools, both public and charter. The bill was truly agreed to and finally passed by a House vote of 92-39. The term “activities association” does not include organizations that do not facilitate interscholastic athletic activities. Under this bill, appeals of decisions made by the Missouri State High School Activities Association may be heard by the newly created "Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission,” a board of directors appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The oversight commission shall hear appeals after the activities association's appeals process has been exhausted or appeals are made directly to the oversight commission. The oversight commission may recommend rule changes to the activities association to be considered through the activities association's rulemaking procedures. The oversight commission shall be established within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for purposes of hearing appeals. DESE shall provide sufficient administrative and financial personnel to support the work of the oversight commission and shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement a fair and timely appeals process, including timelines and procedural rules for the appeals process. If the oversight commission is named as a defendant in any action arising from or relating to a decision of the oversight commission, the Attorney General shall represent the oversight commission, and the state shall be responsible for all attorneys' fees, costs, and damages incurred. The oversight commission may meet in person or hold virtual meetings. All decisions of the oversight commission are final, not subject to further appeal, and shall be adhered to and implemented by the activities association.
Residential Property Taxation
On Thursday morning, the full House brought up House Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1066 & 1088, as amended, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown (R-Washington). The House voted to refuse to recede from its position and grant a conference on the bill. The motion was approved by voice vote. The bill relates to certain residential property taxation. The bill modifies the definition of "residential property" for the taxation of real property to include single family homes that are owned by a sole proprietor, individual, partnership, or limited liability company and leased, in whole or in part, for a term of less than 30 consecutive days, provided that such provision may not apply to any such property in excess of 15 such properties owned by the same individual or business. The bill also prohibits an assessor from reclassifying real property without first conducting an in-person consultation with the owner of record of such property. Three House floor amendments had been added to the bill: one amendment for technical issues; another saying levies are not targeted, property tax levies are to be uniformly applied to all properties, and when voters approve a tax increase, it must be applied in the same reassessment cycle. Another amendment provides new training requirements for assessors, allows taxpayers to receive electronic notifications regarding taxation, and, when tax payments are under protest, the taxpayer must pay only the previous year’s amount of taxes. The bill does not require counties to provide property tax freezes to seniors but allows such decisions to be made by individual counties. Current law provides that the burden of proof to sustain a property valuation shall be on the assessor for any assessment of residential real property that is made by a computer, computer-assisted method, or a computer program. The bill applies to all non-agricultural real property. Current law requires an assessor to conduct a physical inspection of any residential real property before increasing the assessed valuation of such property by more than 15 percent. The bill applies such requirements to all utility, industrial, commercial, railroad, and other non-agricultural real property. Current law allows for a taxing jurisdiction to impose a separate levy for each class and subclass of property or a single rate for all classes and requires a reconciliation of the revenues derived from multiple rates. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the bill requires counties and the City of St. Louis to determine assessed valuation and impose rates for each class and subclass of property separately and repeals the reconciliation provision. The bill provides that any payment of real or personal property taxes transmitted through the U.S. Postal Service and postmarked no later than January 5 shall be deemed to be timely paid. Current law requires school districts to impose a property tax levy for operating purposes of not less than $2.75 in order to receive the full amount of state aid, with such rates subject to Hancock rollbacks. The bill provides that the maximum rate of levy for any school district that imposed a levy of $2.75 in 2026 shall be $2.75 for the 2026-2027 school year and shall be subject to Hancock rollbacks thereafter. The bill provides that a political subdivision or election authority shall not advertise or describe any proposed property tax as not increasing taxes unless failing to adopt the measure would cause an actual increase in the tax rate and adopting the measure would cause the tax rate to stay the same or decrease. The bill requires an election authority to label tax ballot measures numerically or alphabetically in the order they are submitted.
