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.
This week was packed with committee hearings, and Governor Kehoe delivered his first State of the State Address. Legislators are working hard at getting their priorities referred to and heard in committees. Floor activity is expected to commence next week.
Both chambers spent considerable time with committee activity and we are expecting the Missouri Senate to begin debating bills next week as they plan to work on an omnibus energy bill that will likely be debated at length.
On Tuesday, Governor Mike Kehoe delivered his first State of the State Address to the Missouri General Assembly, outlining his legislative priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session and proposed a $53.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), an increase of $450M, which begins July 1. A link to the full State of the State Address can be found here.
Governor Kehoe's priorities emphasize a focus on public safety and improving outcomes for Missouri's children and families, beginning with access to high-quality early childhood education options and educational choice for K-12 students, while also ensuring communities have reliable infrastructure and promote a business friendly, growth-centered environment. The budget uses approximately $2.5 billion of the accumulated surplus cash of $4.1 billion. His budget proposes spending $4 billion on the K-12 Foundation Formula. This is about $300 million short of fully funding the formula.
Specific priorities announced during the Address included:
Education
Health and Public Safety
State Infrastructure
Additionally, Gov. Kehoe announced the signing of three Executive Orders meant to modernize state government and improve the regulatory environment for Missouri's citizens, including:
Executive Order 14 – Establishing the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force to develop recommendations for potential state funding models for K-12 education.
Executive Order 15 – Directing the Office of Childhood within the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to improve the state regulatory environment for child care facilities and homes.
Executive Order 16 – Establishing the Governor’s Workforce of the Future Challenge for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with the Missouri Department of Education and Workforce Development, to improve existing career and technical education delivery systems.
A summary of Governor Kehoe's budget and legislative priorities can be viewed here.
Governor Kehoe's full FY26 Executive Budget Proposal can be viewed here.
Budget work will now begin in the House and then on to the Senate.
Governor Mike Kehoe released his $2.1 billion supplemental budget, and it shows a shortfall in Medicaid and education funding. A supplemental budget is a tool for policymakers to address needs that arise after the fiscal year has begun to help government continue to operate through June 30th. To keep Missouri operating it will cost an additional $2.1 billion more than lawmakers budgeted last year, which is due to lowballed spending estimates, a decline in lottery sales, and new programs in education that were not accounted for.
Major Michael Turner Approved as MSHP Superintendent
On Wednesday, Major Michael A. Turner received unanimous approval by the Senate Gubernatorial Committee in his new position as the 25th Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe announced Turner’s appointment on Dec. 26, 2024. Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) introduced Turner to the committee. Turner will assume the role of Superintendent after the retirement of Col. Eric T. Olson, effective Feb. 1. During the hearing, Turner was asked about highway patrol officer recruitment and retention, and he said the MSHP is down more than 157 officers. As for recruitment, Turner said the things the Patrol once did are no longer working. “The tactics we used 30 years ago no longer work,” he said. He is listening to the recruiters, to the recruits, and during exit interviews, “We ask why are they leaving and what can we do better.” He said the Patrol is having difficulty attracting younger officers. “A lot of commitment comes with the job along with sacrifice to be a Missouri State Trooper,” he said. For instance, promotions require moves. Turner said he and his wife have moved 10 times during his career with the MSHP.
Turner currently serves as commander of the Field Operations Bureau. He has direct oversight responsibility for all nine troops, the Aircraft Division, and the Water Patrol Division. He was appointed to the Patrol on Jan. 1, 1996, as a member of the 71st Recruit Class. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop F, Zone 5, Camden County. He was promoted to corporal and designated assistant supervisor of Zone 8, Callaway County, on April 1, 2001. He transferred to Zone 5, Camden/Miller counties on Feb. 28, 2004. On April 29, 2007, he was promoted to sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Zone 6, Moniteau/Morgan counties. Turner served as Troop F SWAT team leader from 2004 to 2011 and founded the Central Missouri Tactical Officers Association. He was promoted to lieutenant on Nov. 1, 2011, and assigned to Troop F Headquarters. On March 1, 2015, Turner was promoted to captain and designated commanding officer of Troop F, Jefferson City. On April 1, 2019, Turner was promoted to major and named commander of the Support Services Bureau. On March 1, 2022, Turner was named commander of the Field Operations Bureau. Turner was born in Texas and grew up in Kansas City. He earned an Associate of Arts from Metropolitan Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Columbia College, and a Master of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Lincoln University. He is a graduate of the St. Louis University Law Enforcement Leadership and Organizational Change program and the Missouri Police Chiefs Association Command College. He completed Police Leadership: The West Point Model Executive Level Course and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Leadership Missouri program. Turner is a recipient of the David Steward Academic and Leadership Award and the Patrol’s Valor Award. On Thursday, the full Senate unanimously approved Major Turner’s appointment as Superintendent.
Personal Records of State Park Campers Closed
On Thursday morning, the House Legislative Review Committee conducted a joint hearing on HB 59 and on HB 1063, both bills sponsored by Rep. Bruce Sassmann (R-Bland). HB 59 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. Rep. Sassmann said the bill is for the protection and safety of campers whose home addresses could be available.
HB 1063 adds to the list of Sunshine Law exemptions by allowing records showing boundaries and ownership of property where species of conservation concern and natural communities are located and administered by the Department of Conservation to be closed records. Rep. Sassmann said the bill would close information about where endangered species of animals or rare plants, mostly on private property, would be protected. The bill would help limit trespassing, he said, noting several states have approved such legislation.
Witnesses testifying in support of the bills included the Missouri Department of Conservation, saying HB 1063 is research- and science-based and protects private property rights. Other supporting testimony was presented by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Parks Association, and Missouri Park & Recreation Association, saying they have had some concerning phone calls about who is using campgrounds (HB 59). The Conservation Federation of Missouri offered supporting testimony on both HB 59 and HB 1063.
Testifying in opposition to HB 59 was ArmorVine, saying some states are having issues housing illegals in state parks, and transparency is needed. Testifying in opposition to HB 59 and HB 1063 was Mike Jenner, former newspaper editor and journalism professor, representing Missouri Press Association. Jenner said the two bills erode Missouri’s Sunshine Law by making public information secret. Transparency is absolutely vital, and citizens have a right to know how their tax dollars are spent, he said. And, they have a right to know who is using the state’s resources, including state parks and historical sites. Regarding HB 1063, Jenner criticized the bill language, which seems vague, and it would be difficult to enforce. “This language could be read in such a way that a citizen wouldn’t be able to learn who owns a particular tract of property if it’s in an area where elk wander,” Jenner said. The committee took no action on either bill.
Sunshine Bill Exempts Minors’ Information
On Thursday morning, the House Legislative Review Committee heard HB 145, sponsored by Rep. Bill Falkner (R-St. Joseph), which 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 records may be requested by the Division of Labor Standards within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for the purpose of enforcing child labor laws. Testifying in support of the bill was the Missouri Municipal League which said for a public safety aspect the bill closes children’s identities such as schools closing records of students. Also in favor of the bill was testimony by the Municipal League of Metropolitan St. Louis and by Doug Crews of the Missouri Press Association, saying MPA has worked with Rep. Falkner on the bill and support will continue unless the bill becomes loaded with more Sunshine Law exemptions. Testimony in opposition to the bill was offered by ArmorVine, seeking information from all governmental bodies. The committee took no action on the bill.
Notice of County Planning Board Hearings
On Thursday morning, the House Legislative Review Committee met to hear 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. Some legislators mentioned concern about needing notices online, not in newspapers, however Rep. Gallick noted that Cass County has two print newspapers. Testifying in support of the bill was a Cass County official. Doug Crews of Missouri Press Association testified in support of the bill, noting it only affects notices of county planning board hearings in township counties such as Cass, and said MPA supports HB 233 as long as notices in newspapers are still required. There was no additional testimony, and the committee took no action on the bill.
DESE Records Closed
House Bill 339, sponsored by Rep. Ann Kelley (R-Lamar), was heard by the House Children and Families Committee on Tuesday morning. 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. Since 2021, DESE’s Office of Childhood has licensed childcare facilities, and when a complaint is received, DESE publishes on its website the person’s name who files the complaint which makes it uncomfortable for persons to file complaints, Rep. Kelley said. There was no public testimony presented. The committee took no further action.
Call Spoofing
The House Utilities Committee Wednesday morning to discuss HB 509 and HB 564, sponsored by Representatives Travis Wilson (R-St. Charles) and Mitch Boggs (R-LaRussell). The bills are identical and create the “Caller ID Anti-Spoofing Act”, which creates the offense of caller identification spoofing and establishes penalty provisions. During committee discussion, committee members questioned the enforcement of legislation and creating another criminal provision in statute. The MO Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported the bill. No opposing testimony was presented.
Condensed County Financial Statement
On Monday afternoon, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee voted “do pass” on SB 2, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo), by a vote of 8-0. SB 2 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 SB 2 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. An amendment to the bill by Sen. Joe Nicola (R-Grain Valley) to delete the word “her” in the phrase “his or her” was defeated by a voice vote.
On Wednesday morning, the House Local Government Committee heard 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. Rep. McGaugh told committee members the condensed statement would save money for counties, and she noted the legislation had passed in 2022 but was tossed out by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2023 because of other problems with the bill. Testifying in support of HB 352 was Livingston County Clerk Sherry Parks, representing the Missouri Association of County Clerks & Election Authorities, who said moving the deadline for publication from March 1st to June 30th allows all counties to be consistent with publication requirements for first class counties. She said she was sad that fewer people are reading newspapers, and as a result, people are not aware of what’s going on in their local communities. Also testifying in support of the bill was Chad Stebbins, Missouri Press Association Executive Director, who said the association has worked with Rep. McGaugh for six years on the bill. Others testifying in support were the Municipal League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri Municipal League, and Missouri Association of County Auditors. The committee took no action on the bill.
Expungement
The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee convened Wednesday morning to discuss SB 19, sponsored by Senator Brian Williams (D-St Louis). This bill modifies several provisions relating to expungement. Specifically, the bill closes records and files maintained by any court pertaining to clean slate eligible offenses without the filing of a petition and requires the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA) to identify and transfer on a monthly basis all clean slate eligible offenses records to the Central Repository and every prosecuting agency in the state within 30 days of the offense becoming eligible for expungement. Additionally, OSCA shall report on a yearly basis to certain committees of the General Assembly the number of records expunged and creates the “Missouri Expungement Fund” to provide system upgrades and staffing needs to provide and implement these provisions. Finally, the bill allows credit bureaus to report records of arrests, indictments pending trial and convictions of crimes for on longer than 7 years from final disposition, unless the records have been expunged or the person pardoned. Empower Missouri, Criminal Justice Ministries, St Louis Chapter of All of us or None, Missouri Catholic Conference, Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice, Missouri AppleSeed and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce testified in support of the bill. There was no opposing testimony.
Water Exportation
The Senate Agriculture, Food Production, and Outdoor Resources met Thursday morning to discuss SB 29 and SB 82, sponsored by Senators Jason Bean (R-Holcomb) and Jamie Burger (R-Benton). The bills are identical and specify 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 establishes an application process for any water exportation and outlines the process for renewing issued permits. The sponsor stated his intent is to protect Missouri’s water resources and the language is mirrored to Oklahoma. The President of the Southeast MO Regional Water District, MO Rural Crisis Center, MO Corn Growers Association, MO Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, MO American Water, MO Soybean Association, MO Sierra Club, MO Cattlemen’s Association, MO Agri-Business Association supported the bill. Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton, and ArmorVine opposed the bill.
House-Children and Families
2/4/25 8:00 AM
Committee Hearing, HR 6
HB236 Gallick - Establishes provisions relating to civil liability for publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet
Executive Session:
HB339 Kelley - Excludes information about the reporters of complaints against child care facilities from public requests for records of such complaints
House-Local Government
2/5/25 8:00 AM
Committee Hearing, HR 5
Executive Session:
HB352 McGaugh - Modifies provisions relating to financial statements of certain local governments