Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1066 and 1088, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, dealing with the property tax classification of single-family short-term rental homes. Brown argued the bills would stop counties from reclassifying short-term rentals as commercial property and taxing them at the higher commercial rate, saying such homes remain residential in use under Missouri case law, IRS guidance, and zoning principles. He said the substitute language was narrowed to single-family homes owned by individuals, partnerships, or LLCs, and further limited to owners with 15 or fewer short-term rental properties. Members questioned how the bill would affect local zoning and assessor practices, including mixed-use buildings and the requirement that assessors conduct an in-person consultation before reclassifying property. Several lawmakers said the bill should preserve local control over zoning while preventing inconsistent tax treatment. Some members also raised concerns that the consultation language could interfere with assessors’ work, and Brown said he was open to revisiting that provision because it was added by another senator and was not central to the bill’s intent. Supporters testified that short-term rentals are often family homes used to generate needed income, not commercial enterprises, and that higher commercial taxation could be financially devastating. One witness described using a family home as a short-term rental to help pay for a mother’s care and support a granddaughter with special needs. Opponents, including the Missouri Hotel Lodging Association, argued that short-term rentals function as businesses because they collect sales tax and compete with lodging providers, and they said the 15-property limit was ineffective because owners can place homes in separate LLCs. The association said it could suggest alternative language to better target large-scale operators. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded after testimony.

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency met with a quorum and went into executive session to consider SSSB 889 by Senator Coleman. The bill was described as a cleanup measure intended to remove expired, terminated, sunset, and obsolete language from Missouri statutes, with supporters noting the state had not done this kind of cleanup in several years. During discussion, one representative joked about possible unrelated amendments, including health benefit exchange language that could save the state money and horse racing language, but no amendments were offered. Representative Burton said he had wanted to remove one part of the bill but the sponsor would not agree to changes, and he felt the committee had not had enough time to review the measure. He announced he would vote present. Other members generally supported keeping the bill unchanged so the cleanup could proceed. After discussion, the committee voted on the motion to do pass. The roll call resulted in 9 ayes, 6 noes, and 2 present, and SSSB 889 was voted do pass. The committee then adjourned for the day.

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions convened, established a quorum, and entered executive session. Members noted that Senate Bill 890 would not be heard at this time and would instead be taken up in executive session on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. The committee then considered House Bill 1829. A motion was made to vote House Bill 1829 do pass. There was no discussion, and the roll was called. The bill received 12 ayes and 0 noes and was reported do pass. No other substantive business was taken up before the committee adjourned.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 124-1 vote, and numerous introductions of student groups, health professionals, and other guests. Committee reports were then read, including several bills recommended “do pass.” The chamber also heard a personal privilege speech from a St. Louis County member responding to a North St. Louis County school track meet shooting, calling for stronger action on gun access and firearm safety. The main floor work focused heavily on appropriations and capital projects. House Bills 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were debated and passed, covering reappropriations, maintenance and repair projects, new capital improvements, and remaining ARPA pandemic funds. HB 2017 passed 137-9, HB 2018 passed 127-21, HB 2019 passed 98-48, and HB 2020 passed 127-24. Members emphasized that the bills largely used previously appropriated or federal funds, while some Democrats raised concerns about general revenue spending and one-time infrastructure projects. The House also adopted and finally passed Senate-amended HB 2641 on hemp/cannabis-related regulation, with changes on privacy, worker organization, effective date, and age restrictions; it passed 125-21 on adoption and 126-23 on final passage. HB 2423, dealing with Department of Finance staffing and capacity, passed unanimously after Senate adoption. Other measures passed included HB 1919 on electronic filing parity with IRS rules, HB 1768/2060 on short-term rental property tax classification, HB 1855 adding Alpha-Gal Syndrome to reportable conditions, HB 2355 creating a Food is Medicine pilot option, HB 1717/1643 on psilocybin therapy for veterans and first responders, HB 2372, a broad health care package, HB 2408 on the deaf-blind fund, HB 3000 on auditor/siganture-related procedures, HB 2898 restoring land bank tools, and HB 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” strengthening DWI penalties and ignition interlock requirements. Not all bills advanced: HB 3239, which would have expanded and funded the workforce diploma program through MoCAP, failed 55-95 after criticism that it shifted K-12 formula money and stripped vendor standards. HB 2760, the “Praise Act” on treatment of houses of worship during emergencies, drew extended debate on religious liberty, public health, and consistency in emergency orders; the transcript cuts off before the final vote is shown. Throughout the day, members frequently cited bipartisan support for health, public safety, and administrative bills, while several measures drew sharper partisan or policy disagreements over funding, regulation, and local control.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a brief roll call and a chamber introduction of Doug Pitt and Crystal Simon of Care to Learn, an organization described as serving students’ basic needs and esteem-building across Missouri. The body then moved through House Bills for Perfection, Informal, taking up several measures focused on public safety, housing, broadband, historic preservation, adoption, regional planning, and school safety. House Bill 2848, creating the offense of masked intimidation, was debated and advanced after members discussed examples ranging from harassment at homes to historical hooded intimidation and concerns about whether the bill could affect ICE agents; the sponsor said it would not apply to lawful duties. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1791, dealing with faster building permit timelines to help address housing costs and disaster recovery, was amended to require code-enforcement certification for nationally recognized codes and then perfected and printed despite concerns from some members about local government capacity. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2465, allowing sole proprietors and very small businesses to buy group health coverage outside the ACA framework, was also adopted and perfected and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2711 reduced the assessment rate for broadband infrastructure investment and drew extended debate over whether the tax break should apply to upgrades within existing territories or only to expansion into underserved areas; an amendment clarifying that the incentive was for expanding fiber and broadband services was adopted, and the bill was perfected and printed. House Bill 3080 restored historic preservation tax credit language that had previously been struck down, with broad support from members citing tornado recovery, downtown revitalization, nonprofit projects, and preservation of historic districts. House Bill 1772 increased state payments for adoption attorneys and separated guardian fees to reduce barriers to adoption, and House Bill 2096 increased state matching funds for regional planning commissions and updated the commission list; both were advanced after supportive testimony about local planning and the need to keep pace with inflation. Finally, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2913 and 3228 was presented to protect teachers and other school personnel from liability when reasonably intervening to protect themselves or students during violent incidents, while making intervention permissive rather than mandatory. Members from both parties and several educators spoke in strong support, emphasizing that teachers should not fear discipline or lawsuits for acting to keep children safe. The bill was advanced after discussion about the scope of the teacher definition and whether related issues like school buses should be addressed separately.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by roll call vote (112-2), and numerous introductions of special guests, including former Rep. Bill Kidd, students, educators, pharmacy students, labor representatives, and community groups. Members also made a few personal announcements, including a birthday recognition. The chamber then moved into floor business on bills for perfection and printing. The main debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, the Missouri Nuclear Clean Power Act. Supporters argued the bill would remove Missouri’s ban on construction work in progress for nuclear plants, lower long-term electricity costs, support baseload power, attract industry and data centers, and help Missouri keep pace with small modular reactor development in other states and countries. Opponents said the measure would shift construction risk and potential cost overruns to ratepayers, cited past nuclear cost overruns and safety/waste concerns, and argued Missouri voters had already rejected this approach. After extended debate and several inquiries, the House adopted the committee substitute and then perfected and printed the bill. The House also perfected and printed House Bill 1881, which would classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance. Supporters said the drug is being misused in fentanyl mixtures, causing severe harm and deaths, while preserving legitimate veterinary and agricultural uses. Members from veterinary and law enforcement backgrounds backed the bill, and no opposition was voiced before passage. Finally, the House took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2292, a cross-reporting bill for child, elder, and companion animal abuse. The sponsor said the measure would require agencies already involved in abuse reporting to cross-report related abuse and train accordingly, while exempting agricultural animals. Members discussed amendments to criminalize knowingly starving an animal and to allow POST-certified state investigators to assist in elder abuse cases; both amendments were adopted. Debate also focused on concerns about training sources and whether animal-rights groups could misuse the bill, but the sponsor said the measure would not expand access to farms or animal control authority. The committee substitute was advanced after discussion.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing met in executive session and considered House Bill 2353, as amended in a House Committee Substitute. The bill concerns bringing interior designers into the Board of Registration alongside engineers, architects, land surveyors, and landscape architects, and would give licensed interior designers stamp and seal privileges and a defined scope of practice. Representative Nolte offered an amendment to remove a section he argued would allow unlicensed people to perform the profession’s scope of work, but he said the amendment was intended to make the bill consistent with the other licensed professions on the board. Representative Kate opposed the amendment, saying it would detract from what the bill was trying to accomplish. The committee rejected the amendment by voice vote. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2353 and voted do pass on the substitute. The final roll call on the do-pass motion was 20 yes and 1 no. After the vote, the committee adjourned with no further business.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Commerce Committee first took up Senate Bill 973, adopting an amendment that revised the bill’s language and title, including changes tied to school property sale/disclosure provisions and removal of certain unused-facilities language. The committee then adopted the House Committee substitute and voted the bill do pass by a recorded vote of 6 ayes and 3 noes. House Bill 2888 was held over. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 907 and related measures, the “Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation,” sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson. Hudson said the bill targets abusive website-access lawsuits aimed at businesses, political subdivisions, and potentially churches and nonprofits, and described the legislation as a narrow response to one plaintiff’s settlement demands. Supporters from the Missouri Chamber, NFIB, Associated Industries of Missouri, the Columbia Chamber, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the Missouri Broadband Providers Association said small businesses and other entities have been threatened with costly litigation and often settle because defending the suits is expensive. Members questioned the scope of the bill, especially the proposed removal of language limiting coverage to entities registered under Chapter 351 and the possible addition of churches and nonprofits. Witnesses said those changes were intended to broaden protection without making the bill too expansive. Several members also asked about the “good faith” standard; attorney David Clarech explained that good faith is a fact-based issue usually decided by a trial court under a preponderance standard, and that the bill’s original language would be less burdensome for courts than the Senate-added good-faith language. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Utilities met with a quorum and first held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1629, sponsored by Senator Fitzwater. The bill was described as clarifying language to last year’s Dig Right/one-call legislation, specifically to address confusion about tracer wire requirements for underground utilities. Fitzwater and a representative of the St. Louis Home Builders Association said the intent was to exempt storm sewers and sanitary sewer mains installed more than six feet deep from tracer wire requirements, while keeping requirements in place for other utilities such as water lines. Missouri 811 also testified in favor, saying the bill matched the original intent and raised no concerns. No opposition was presented. The committee then moved into executive session and took up House Bill 3351 and House Bill 3371, which were combined in a committee substitute. Representative Taylor explained the measure concerns rules for detaching from a water district and allows a third party to pay a gift to resolve debt that the district must accept. The substitute was adopted and the combined bill was voted do pass by a roll call of 17 ayes and 0 noes. The committee also considered Senate Bill 903, with Representative Simmons explaining it adds wireline copper wire to critical infrastructure protections and creates felony penalties for theft, damage, and possession, with exceptions for legitimate possession by contractors and similar situations. The committee voted do pass on the Senate substitute version by a roll call of 17 ayes and 0 noes. The committee then adjourned.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and public hearing, with quorum present, and first adopted a substitute and then voted House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975 do pass by 16-0. The substitute replaced the original Senate bill with Representative Farnan’s version, which members said made no substantive changes and removed a controversial community-agreement clause; the community paramedic language had been moved to another bill. The committee then adopted a substitute for House Bill 3496 and voted the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3496 do pass by 15-1. That substitute combined the original county salary commission bill with cleanup language on county clerks/election authorities, added provisions related to sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys, and changed the title and scope to address county classification and valuation of abated and tax-exempt property for certain counties, especially Pettis and other fourth-class counties. In public hearing, Representative Sharp presented House Bill 3028 as a “Lewis County fix” to revise the board structure for a county economic development entity so more at-large members could be selected instead of requiring one from each township. Sharp and Lewis County Commissioner Craig Redmond said the change was intended to make board recruitment more practical and to keep the board operating within its bylaws; members asked for clarification on the bill’s language and fiscal note, and the sponsor said he would verify the wording. No opposition testified. Representative Thompson presented House Bill 2431 to let the City of Lexington ask voters to approve a public safety sales tax for police, fire, and ambulance services after a major gas explosion; supporters said it would be additive, voter-approved, and overseen by a citizens committee, while an opponent argued against new taxes and broader tax burdens. Several members expressed support but also concern about special legislation and the need for a statewide approach. Representative Violet presented House Bill 2732 to allow voters to raise the cap on a water service line repair fee from $1 to $2 per month for eligible residential households. Violet and St. Peters City Administrator Bill Malick said the program helps residents avoid large repair costs, that construction and labor costs have risen since the fee was set in 2011, and that the increase would simply allow local voters to decide whether to fund the program at a higher level. An opponent argued municipalities should live within existing budgets and noted some programs already have reserves, while supporters said the fee is a practical, long-standing utility service and especially important in older areas with lead or galvanized lines. The committee took no final action on the public hearing bills and adjourned after the hearings.

Summary: The House first approved the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 112-2, and then spent time on numerous guest introductions and recognitions. Guests included former Rep. Bill E. Kidd, students and school officials from several districts, pharmacy students, community and labor representatives, Alliance for Life members, Link community partners, and the student who led the Pledge of Allegiance. A personal privilege announcement also recognized a legislator’s son’s birthday. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, the Missouri Nuclear Clean Power Act. Supporters argued the bill would remove a roadblock to small modular nuclear reactors by allowing construction work in progress (CWIP), lower long-term electricity costs, attract industry, and help Missouri meet future baseload demand, especially for data centers and other large users. Opponents said the measure would shift risk and cost overruns to ratepayers, cited past nuclear cost overruns and safety concerns, and argued Missouri voters had previously rejected such financing. After extended debate and several inquiries, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bills perfected and printed. The chamber then perfected and printed House Bill 1881, which would make xylazine a Schedule III controlled substance. The sponsor and supporters said the drug is a dangerous animal tranquilizer increasingly used in illicit fentanyl mixtures, while the bill preserves legitimate veterinary and agricultural uses. Members from both rural and urban districts supported the measure, and the House adopted an amendment clarifying penalties for knowingly starving an animal and false reporting in animal abuse cases. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2292, which would encourage cross-reporting among agencies handling child, elder, and companion animal abuse. The sponsor said abuse in one area often correlates with abuse in the others and that the bill would use existing agencies rather than create a new department. An amendment was also offered to strengthen elder-abuse investigations by allowing post-certified investigators in the Department of Health and Senior Services to assist law enforcement and obtain records. The discussion emphasized protecting vulnerable Missourians and improving coordination among investigators and local police.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive and regular session, first laying over H.J.R. 153 and H.J.R. 119 at the request of handlers. It then adopted a House committee amendment and House Committee Substitute for HB 2904, which passed 13-0, and later adopted a House Committee Substitute for HB 2933, which passed 11-3. HB 2266, sponsored by Rep. Taylor, would add the Attorney General and staff to the list of officials authorized to concealed carry while performing duties. Testimony in support came from an assistant attorney general who described traveling statewide for special prosecutions, conflict cases, and hotel stays that can create safety concerns; witnesses and members discussed whether the bill should instead refer to assistant attorneys general rather than all staff, and one witness urged clearer identification and narrower language. No vote was taken on HB 2266 in the portion provided. The committee then heard HB 2207 and HB 2233 together, both dealing with electric utility restructuring and competition. Rep. Mayhew and Rep. Burns argued the bills would create competition in generation while keeping transmission and distribution regulated, with phased implementation, consumer protections, and recovery of legacy costs. Supporters said competition would lower costs, improve reliability, encourage innovation, and shift risk from captive ratepayers to private investors; they cited examples from Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and said Missouri already participates in wholesale markets. Opponents, including Evergy and Ameren representatives, argued Missouri already has relatively low rates under the current regulated model, warned that deregulation would force divestment of generation assets, increase residential rates, reduce consumer protections, and mainly benefit large customers and third-party suppliers. They also pointed to higher rates and consumer complaints in deregulated states such as Illinois. The hearing on the two bills continued with extensive questioning, but no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2722, then voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 13 yes and 2 no. The sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the roles of liaisons for foster care students, McKinney-Vento students, and unaccompanied youth in higher education, and added language to avoid conflicting with Missouri law on public benefits for non-citizens. Members also discussed the fiscal note, which was expected to be minimal or not yet available until after committee reporting. The committee then heard House Bills 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Representatives Prouty and Pollitt, which would require the General Assembly to create Missouri-specific educational materials about how the state legislative process works and how a bill becomes law. Supporters, including legislators, teachers, students, and social studies coordinators, said the materials would help students understand Missouri government, civic engagement, and the differences between state and federal lawmaking. Several witnesses suggested the materials should be tailored by grade level, with third grade and high school mentioned as likely targets, and some members raised questions about drafting, implementation, and the estimated fiscal note. One witness spoke in opposition, saying only that he opposed the bill in the spirit of civil discourse. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 31, sponsored by Representative Martin, which would establish a Missouri seal of civic recognition for students who demonstrate civic knowledge, participation, and service. The sponsor described a tiered recognition system tied to coursework, civic engagement, and community or military service, administered through DESE and the existing civics and patriotic work group. Members asked about the resolution format, the role of the work group, how schools would track eligibility, and whether the measure should be narrowed to high school graduation before expanding to younger grades. Supporters, including a retired educator and civic education advocates, said the seal could encourage stronger civic learning and student engagement, while one coalition witness urged a streamlined, merit-based model and local district flexibility. The committee took no final action on the latter two measures during the hearing and adjourned after testimony.

Summary: The Special Committee on Rural Issues met with a quorum and heard testimony on several measures focused on agriculture, broadband, public health administration, and utility eminent domain. Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1383, sponsored by Senator Barbara Washington, would expand a DESE agricultural education pilot program from 20 schools to allow voluntary K-12 agriculture curriculum statewide. Washington said the bill builds on a successful pilot and is intended to help students understand agriculture as a STEM field and broader community issue. Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri N.A., Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, and Missouri Pork Association all testified in support; there was no opposition, and the hearing closed without a vote. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 38 from Representative Louis Riggs, which urges that Missouri’s broadband funding remain in the state and be used for deployment. Riggs said Missouri received $1.7 billion in broadband funding but that more than half had been cut or left uncertain, and he argued the money should stay in Missouri to bridge the digital divide. Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri Electric Cooperatives supported the resolution, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 1699 from Representative Maisie Christensen, a constituent-driven bill to clarify when county health officers/directors’ authority ends if they are not reappointed. Christensen explained the bill addresses ambiguity in older statutes governing different county public health structures; no witnesses testified for or against the bill. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2169 from Representative Brad Pollitt, which would bar electrical corporations from using eminent domain for wind or solar generation facilities while still allowing grid connection. Pollitt and Farm Bureau argued the bill closes a loophole and protects landowners from having property taken for large renewable projects; Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Corn Growers Association also supported the measure. Ameren testified for informational purposes only, saying it has no plans to use eminent domain for wind or solar and appreciates the grid-connection language. Several members debated whether the bill should also address nuclear energy or broader utility siting concerns, and one witness noted transmission and battery-storage limitations as reasons renewable projects are not built everywhere. The hearing on HB 2169 closed with no vote taken.

Summary: The Committee on Financial Institutions met in executive session with 13 members present, establishing a quorum. The committee considered Senate Bills 835 and 1111 together and first adopted a House substitute for the Senate committee substitute after a motion and voice vote, with no opposition noted. The committee then moved the House Committee substitute for Senate Bills 835 and 1111 do pass. A roll call vote was taken, and the measure passed unanimously by 14 yeas and 0 nays. No other business was discussed before adjournment.