Video & Transcript : 'Vision Iowa' :
Page 34 of 301
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, so admittedly, I do know, I should have written this down, I believe Iowa and Kansas do have these
- Think about if you were selling something in the state of Iowa and you weren't familiar with the quirkiness
Committee:
House Rules - Legislative
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Health and Mental Health Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health and Mental Health
Transcript Highlights:
- Iowa is another, and I... States. Iowa is another.
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Utilities -continued- Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a fourth-generation farmer, former Iowa state legislator, and I am currently the regional policy
- We've worked on it in Iowa. We're working on it in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Summary:
The House Utilities Committee resumed and then concluded a hearing on HB 2402 and HB 2816, both dealing with utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to testify for informational purposes where they supported some provisions but opposed others, and the discussion centered on setback distances, taxation, cropland conversion caps, local control, and decommissioning/oversight. Several witnesses described concerns about large solar projects encircling farms, impacts on neighbors, glare, fire risk, wetlands, and property values, while others emphasized the need for reasonable statewide standards and the importance of preserving Chapter 100 agreements and county flexibility.
Testimony from landowners and advocacy groups largely urged stronger protections: higher setbacks, more local authority, lower caps on cropland conversion, and higher tax rates than the bill’s proposed $2,500 per megawatt. Some witnesses argued solar should be taxed as commercial property rather than agricultural land, while others raised constitutional concerns about changing agricultural assessment. A county commissioner described local regulations his county adopted, including road agreements, decommissioning bonds, hydraulic studies, and buffering, and said counties need clearer rules, especially where there is no zoning.
Industry and utility representatives said the bills were generally workable but wanted further discussion on setbacks and tax treatment. They argued tax comparisons should account for the full package of taxes and incentives, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes can raise electricity costs for customers. Ameren Missouri said most of the bill was acceptable, but cautioned about how real property would be assessed and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The committee took no vote; after hearing the final witness, the chair closed testimony on HB 2402 and HB 2816 and adjourned the committee.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/02/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Pennsylvania has initial and ongoing training for all providers the same way this bill is written, and Iowa
- Pennsylvania has initial and ongoing training for all providers the same way this bill is written, and Iowa
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 538, a Liquor Commission cleanup bill. Chair Joseph Mica and CFO Tina Deir explained that the bill updates outdated statutory titles and positions after the commission’s 2014 restructuring, deleting references to the former commissioner and COO roles, adding a director of administration and a director of finance and audit, and keeping the new positions at the same labor grade pending review by the Joint Committee on Employee Classification (JCEC). Members discussed the proper sequence for JCEC review, but generally treated the bill as housekeeping. The committee then voted ought to pass, and the roll call was unanimous, 16-0.
The committee next took up House Bill 493, which would require continuing education related to child abuse/ACE recognition for physicians and other providers. Testimony and committee discussion focused on whether the bill was too vague, whether it improperly intruded on the Board of Medicine’s authority to set professional education requirements, and whether it would effectively mandate a narrow training course that is currently voluntary and free. Supporters argued the bill addressed a real problem and cited testimony about missed abuse cases, while opponents said the board should handle the issue through its own rules and that the bill was poorly drafted. A motion of inexpedient to legislate passed 9-7, and the committee noted a minority report would be needed.
The meeting ended with procedural and scheduling announcements, including that the committee would be dealing with budget hearings the following week and had a large number of Senate bills scheduled for later in the month.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Banking and Insurance Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That's when the Supreme Court, not Florida's legally programs amended the Iowa role increasing the interest
- people who bank with community banks, when we tie these rates to lending when we tie the rates for the Iowa
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:15:43.720><c> states</c><00:15:44.560><c> of</c><00:15:45.040><c> Minnesota</c><00:15:45.720><c> Iowa
- </c><00:15:46.319><c> North</c><00:15:46.560><c> Dakota</c> um states of Minnesota Iowa North Dakota
- um states of Minnesota Iowa North Dakota South<00:15:47.199><c> Dakota</c><00:15:47.959><c> Montana</
- </c><01:05:02.839><c> or</c> up whether it's in Minnesota or Iowa or up whether it's in Minnesota or
- Iowa or Wisconsin<01:05:04.000><c> or</c><01:05:04.200><c> wherever</c><01:05:04.799><c> the</c><01:05
Bills:
HF75
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Regionally, comparable businesses would pay 3.2% more in Minnesota than in Wisconsin, 7.05% more than in Iowa
- Regionally, comparable businesses would pay 3.2% more in Minnesota than in Wisconsin, 7.05% more than in Iowa
- 7.05%</c><00:30:14.480><c> more</c><00:30:14.760><c> than</c><00:30:14.960><c> in</c><00:30:15.160><c> Iowa
- ,</c> Wisconsin, 7.05% more than in Iowa, Wisconsin, 7.05% more than in Iowa, 8.35% 8.35% 8.35% more<
- I'm also a proud member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa.
Committee:
House Taxes
Keywords:
child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- obviously I keep in contact with many people who left Minnesota and live either in South Dakota or Iowa
- I represent a district that borders both Wisconsin and Iowa.
- 00:17:51.440><c> both</c><00:17:51.760><c> Wisconsin</c><00:17:52.320><c> and</c><00:17:52.640><c> Iowa
- </c><00:17:53.320><c> And</c><00:17:54.320><c> what</c> uh both Wisconsin and Iowa.
- And what uh both Wisconsin and Iowa.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty One - Wednesday, March 25 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Your stomach drops, your vision narrows, and the rest of it becomes a blur.
- Your stomach drops, your vision narrows, and the rest of it becomes a blur.
- States like California, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, Arizona, Iowa, Nevada
Summary:
The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and welcomed special guests, including the Freedom of the Road motorcycle riders and students from Warsaw High School. It then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on Alpha-Gal syndrome. The bill sponsor described the condition as a serious tick-borne allergy that has affected his family and many Missourians, arguing that Missouri needs mandatory reporting and surveillance data to identify hotspots, guide public health outreach, and support research and funding. Supporters from both parties said the bill would improve awareness and data collection, while one member raised concerns about the fiscal note and whether the state would get useful information for the cost.
The chamber adopted Amendment 1 to HB 1855, changing the follow-up language from “may” to “shall,” but rejected Amendment 2, which would have required patient consent before lab results were reported into the surveillance system. Opponents of the consent amendment said it would undermine disease surveillance and set a bad precedent for other reportable conditions; supporters argued for privacy and individual choice. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed.
The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2230 and 2978, a K-5 education measure addressing screen time, cursive, and handwriting. The sponsor said the bill responds to research and parent/teacher concerns about excessive screen use, poor literacy outcomes, and mental health effects, and would create a state focus group to review evidence and make recommendations while leaving districts flexibility. Members discussed carve-outs for special education, English language learners, and virtual school, and adopted an amendment excluding the virtual school program. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed.
Finally, the House took up House Bill 2355, the “Food is Medicine” initiative, which would allow Missouri to use federal funds through 1115 waivers for pilot programs such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and related supports. Supporters said the program could improve health outcomes, reduce Medicaid spending, and help address food deserts. An amendment adding vitamin therapies and updating a date drew discussion over supplement safety and regulation, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that amendment or the bill itself.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The vision—I’m not going to read it, everyone’s able to do so—but basically, the vision for the Department
- State facilities, we have Ashland University, Upper Iowa University, Tulane University, Loyola University
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee held an oversight discussion on Louisiana’s reentry landscape, with Chair Villio emphasizing that the hearing was informational only and that no bills were being considered. Department of Public Safety and Corrections officials outlined the state’s reentry mission and current programming in state facilities, local jails, regional reentry centers, and STEP facilities. They described services including literacy and GED preparation, career and technical education, industry certifications, postsecondary partnerships, mental health and substance abuse treatment, victim impact and trauma programming, and pre-release assistance such as state IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, Medicaid, SNAP, and driver’s licenses. Officials also discussed a new data-sharing MOU with DCFS for child support matters and a planned “return portal” with Louisiana Works to connect incarcerated people to jobs and training aligned with labor market needs.
A major focus was the reentry court program at Angola for men and at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Assistant Secretary DeLouche and Assistant Warden Easley explained that the program is limited to nine judicial districts, requires judge and district attorney consent, and includes a two-year institutional phase followed by three years of intensive supervised probation. Participants must earn a HiSET if needed, complete multiple certifications and life-skills programs, and then petition for resentencing; officials said the program’s current recidivism rate is under 14 percent. They also highlighted specialized offerings such as vocational mentoring, a Braille transcription and repair program, and family-focused events like a father-daughter dance.
Testimony from employers and local officials was broadly supportive. Eric Lane described hiring formerly incarcerated workers through the parole project and said the program solved problems he had seen with halfway-house placements by helping people secure housing, IDs, and licenses before release. Sheriff Kevin Cobb said sheriffs are active partners, with 51 of 64 parishes offering some form of programming and more than 75 percent of local facilities providing services; he stressed that local jail programming has grown over time and that data collection is improving. Members repeatedly asked for more data on recidivism, employment outcomes, and what programs are available by parish, and several praised the department and sheriffs for the work already being done. No votes were taken.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2023, we began the same process to adopt our second son, Ace, who was born in Iowa.
- brought Ace home to Massachusetts a few weeks after he was born after the ICPC was agreed upon by both Iowa
- We had no choice but to ask the birth parents to endure a second termination process, now in Iowa, and
- In Iowa, recent legislation has permitted 14- and 15-year-olds to work up to six hours on a school day
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The committee hearing began with opening remarks from the House and Senate chairs outlining procedures for a large public hearing with more than 100 witnesses on 64 legislative proposals. They explained time limits, rules for in-person and virtual testimony, written testimony procedures, and the committee’s reporting deadline. Testimony then moved through a series of juvenile justice, child protection, and civil liberties bills, with witnesses generally urging favorable reports or, in one case, opposing expanded juvenile court transparency and child advocate access to records.
Several witnesses supported bills aimed at juvenile justice reform. Representative Hendricks backed H. 1744 to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking, citing federal findings of child labor in seafood processing and calling for stronger penalties and a ban on minors working in such facilities. Senator Gomez supported S. 1131 and S. 1121 to reduce juvenile fees, fines, restitution burdens, and bail-related costs, arguing they worsen racial and economic disparities. Senator Crean and other advocates supported S. 1051/H. 1695 to expand juvenile diversion eligibility, while multiple witnesses from juvenile justice and immigrant advocacy groups supported H. 1657/S. 1058 to expand juvenile expungement and to limit sharing juvenile fingerprints with federal authorities, describing recent ICE detentions of Chelsea students and the resulting fear in immigrant communities. Witnesses also supported H. 1918/S. 1240 to narrow the youthful offender statute, raising the minimum age and reducing mandatory adult-style penalties for youth.
The committee also heard testimony on child safety and bodily autonomy bills. Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan supported H. 1752 to protect children left in extreme temperatures, explaining it would create civil penalties, allow emergency responders to remove children from cars without liability, and add criminal penalties when serious injury results. Representative Thurber and Senator O’Connor testified for H. 2011/S. 1227, a bill prohibiting coercion or mandates for health-related interventions, including vaccinations, and allowing legal remedies for violations. Senator Jalen supported S. 1136/H. 1847 to prevent false confessions by requiring recording of interrogations and banning deceptive tactics, and several innocence-project and legal-services witnesses described wrongful convictions tied to false confessions and coercive interrogations. Another major topic was H. 1626, which would require age verification for pornographic content and launch an education campaign about online sexual exploitation; Representative Cruz and survivor Udoz Wallace testified in support, describing nonconsensual image sharing and deepfake harms.
Not all testimony was supportive. The Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed S. 1035, which would increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings, and H. 1689, which would expand the child advocate’s access to confidential juvenile records, arguing both would undermine privacy and trauma-informed protections for children and families. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the session consisted of opening remarks and public testimony on the listed bills.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty One - Monday, February 16
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He was finally elected the mayor of Davenport, Iowa, in 2015. And yet, Mr.
- As I was driving here to Jefferson City, I was reminded about how Minnesota and Iowa do not have safety
- The majority of the time, when I'm going back home to Bethany, Missouri, I pass more people from Iowa
- and Minnesota than I do from Missouri because I live on the Iowa border.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Housing panel approves HF2140 3/12/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the political director of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa.
- Healthcare political director of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota<00:16:21.680><c> and</c><00:16:21.959><c> Iowa
- <00:16:22.759><c> our</c><00:16:23.040><c> union</c><00:16:23.399><c> represents</c> Minnesota and Iowa
- our union represents Minnesota and Iowa our union represents over<00:16:24.120><c> 50,000</c><00:16:
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Iowa has no limit on their refundability. We're hoping that the 25% stays in.
- Uh Wisconsin's at 25%.<01:17:55.360><c> Uh</c><01:17:55.679><c> Iowa</c><01:17:56.000><c> has</c><01:
- Uh Iowa has no limit on their 25%.
- Uh Iowa has no limit on their refundability.<01:17:57.920><c> We're</c><01:17:58.400><c> hoping</c><01
- nonprofit organization working to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends toward our vision
Committee:
House Taxes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/08/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- a bill that reflects and funds the home care worker contract between SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa
- I'm executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa, a union of more than 55,000 workers
- We have the same NRA as Iowa, North Dakota, you name it. What we don't have is a career rule.
- Wisconsin has no penalty, and Iowa has no penalty.
- </c> penalty and Iowa has no penalty. penalty and Iowa has no penalty.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, so admittedly, I do know, I should have wrote this down, I believe Iowa and Kansas do have these
- Think about if you were selling something in the state of Iowa and you weren't familiar with their laws
Committee:
House Rules - Legislative
Summary:
The Missouri House Legislative Rules Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2243, sponsored by Rep. Bryant-Wolfen, which would repeal a 2021 provision that exempted certain manufacturing and mining-related industries from local sales tax. The sponsor argued the change unintentionally stripped counties of revenue they had already approved through local votes, shifting the burden onto ordinary Missourians and leaving local governments without a replacement source of funding. Committee members questioned whether the bill would amount to a tax increase, whether a referendum or local voter approval should be required, and whether the measure could discourage investment or job growth. The sponsor said the bill simply restores local taxing authority and noted the fiscal note showed roughly $35 million in local revenue at stake statewide.
Testimony in support came from local officials from Iron County, Adair County, and St. Genevieve County, including commissioners, a sheriff, and a 911 board official. They said the exemption reduced revenue for roads, ambulance service, law enforcement, and 911 operations, forcing service cuts and higher local levies. Iron County witnesses said the loss hit a county dependent on mining and reduced ambulance coverage and sheriff funding; Adair County officials said the exemption affected expected revenue from a large solar project and other energy infrastructure; St. Genevieve County officials cited sharp monthly declines in sales tax receipts and said inflation made the loss even more severe. Supporters emphasized that these were locally approved taxes and that the affected companies still benefit from county services.
Opposition came from Associated Industries of Missouri, which argued the original exemption was part of Missouri’s effort to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision and keep tax rules uniform for out-of-state sellers. The group warned that removing the exemption could make Missouri’s tax system less simple and potentially jeopardize local use-tax collections statewide, with a much larger possible revenue loss if the law were challenged. The committee chair said the hearing would continue with a hard stop for floor business, and at the end of testimony he indicated he planned to take executive action on the bill later in the week. No vote was taken during the hearing.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Kansas, Iowa, and North Dakota are increasing, but very small.
- Kansas, Iowa, and North Dakota are increasing, but very small percentages.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 12, the physical therapy licensure compact. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would increase access to care and help recruit physical therapists in New Mexico, especially in rural areas and for neurodivergent patients. Support came from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Desert States Physical Therapy Network, Think New Mexico, the state Health Care Authority, and Americans for Autism Advocacy. A trial lawyer raised concerns about immunity, venue, and loser-pays language, and committee members discussed whether New Mexico-specific amendments would be accepted by the compact commission. Two amendments were adopted, including clarifying language on background checks, data, federal court standing, and repeal procedures, plus an immunity-related amendment. The bill was then reported out with a 9-0 due pass recommendation.
The committee then considered House Bill 10, the physician assistant interstate compact. Supporters again emphasized workforce shortages, telehealth access, and the need to join the compact to qualify for Rural Health Transformation Program funding. The Health Care Authority said the compact was part of New Mexico’s commitments tied to federal funding, and a trial lawyer again raised concerns about loser-pays language. Two amendments were adopted to clarify New Mexico’s authority over reproductive and gender-affirming care issues, confidentiality of New Mexico licensee data, joint investigations, and contingent repeal procedures. After discussion about malpractice exposure, oversight, and the need for compact commission approval of language changes, the bill received an 8-0 due pass recommendation.
House Bill 34, dealing with school nurse licensure provisions, was presented as a cleanup bill to clarify implementation issues from last session. The changes would add charter schools, align contract language with teacher contracts, and adjust supervision and evaluation rules for tiered school nurses in small districts. The New Mexico School Nurses Association supported the bill, and it passed unanimously with an 8-0 due pass recommendation.
The committee also heard Senate Memorial 21, which would direct the Department of Health to study overdose prevention centers and other harm reduction strategies. Supporters from the ACLU, All Safe New Mexico, the Drug Policy Alliance, and Families and Youth Innovations Plus argued that New Mexico’s overdose crisis remains severe and that evidence-based interventions could save lives and connect people to treatment. The Department of Health provided background on overdose trends and said it was neutral but available for technical questions. After discussion about fentanyl trends, drug prices, and public health approaches, the memorial was approved on a 7-1 due pass vote. The committee also announced that Senate Bill 130 would be rolled over to Sunday’s meeting because a new substitute needed review.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Iowa, Canada, Japan. ...based practice models to pass this: Iowa, Canada, Japan, Tennessee, Delaware.
Summary:
The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee first met in executive session and advanced five bills out of committee. SB 5999, as amended by a substitute, would let rural counties under 100,000 population appoint an APRN or physician assistant as an acting local health officer; SB 5185 would create a pathway for international medical graduates to physician licensure through a Washington Medical Commission pilot; SB 5845 would revise timely payment rules for health carriers, including longer acknowledgment and payment timelines and clarifications on scope; SB 6071 would standardize overpayment recovery timelines for carriers; and SB 6258 would create a non-disciplinary pathway for relinquishing Washington Medical Commission licenses. Each bill received a due pass recommendation and was sent to Rules, with the bills passed subject to signatures.
The committee then heard SB 6226, which would protect the clinical autonomy of audiologists and ensure hearing-instrument and communication-device rules are applied consistently across care modalities, including telehealth. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing access for rural and mobility-limited patients and the importance of teleaudiology, though one association cautioned the bill could affect broader regulatory authority. The hearing closed with 54 pro, zero con, and two other sign-ins.
Next, the committee heard SB 6305, the Truth in Mental Health Coverage Act, which would require carriers to submit standardized annual data to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on mental health and substance use disorder coverage, access, utilization, reimbursement, and network participation, with public posting in raw and dashboard form. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability without changing benefits, while opponents argued it could duplicate recent parity reforms and add administrative burden. The hearing closed with 396 pro, two con, and zero other sign-ins.
Finally, the committee heard SB 5924, a proposed substitute expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority for certain limited conditions and products, including some preventive and minor-illness treatments, and allowing limited diagnosis within defined bounds. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural and underserved areas, reduce administrative barriers from collaborative drug therapy agreements, and align with the sunrise review; opponents, including the medical association, said the bill went beyond the review and needed more time, while some testimony raised concerns about psychiatric prescribing. The hearing closed with 279 pro, six con, and four other sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after concluding its business.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 19, 2025 - 04:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- people that failed than passed in Nebraska, Kansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Missouri, Mississippi, Iowa
- people that failed than passed in Nebraska, Kansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Missouri, Mississippi, Iowa
Summary:
The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 919 on nursing education programs would tighten accountability for nursing schools with low NCLEX pass rates by shortening the probation period, requiring remediation plans, mandating free remediation for students who fail, and requiring tuition reimbursement for programs with very low pass rates. The sponsor argued Florida’s nursing pass rates are unacceptably low and that stronger consequences are needed; opponents warned the bill could shut down programs, worsen the nursing shortage, and unfairly target private schools, while supporters said it would protect students and improve outcomes. After debate, the bill was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0.
The committee then heard PCS for HB 1261, the “Smart Living Act,” a student-driven proposal from Jefferson High School in Hillsborough County to expand personal financial literacy and practical life-skills instruction in high school. Students and school officials testified that the bill would better prepare graduates for adulthood by covering topics such as budgeting, credit, loans, FAFSA, resumes, interviews, and basic household skills. Members praised the students’ work and the bill’s practical focus, and the PCS was reported favorably 18-0.
Finally, the committee considered HB 809, which would exempt school social workers from educator certification requirements for general and subject-area knowledge. Supporters from Lee and Broward counties said the current testing requirement is unrelated to social work, creates financial and recruitment barriers, and has contributed to staffing shortages. Members from both parties supported the measure as a simple way to remove an obstacle to hiring and retaining school social workers. HB 809 was also reported favorably by a vote of 18-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Feb 16th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- statute of limitations for general bodily injury claims: Arkansas, three years; Illinois, two years; Iowa
- We can argue all night long whether it should be 50 or 51, but those states include Illinois and Iowa
- We can argue all night long whether it should be 50 or 51, but those states include Illinois and Iowa
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 1645, which would reduce Missouri’s general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to two years for claims after August 28, 2026, while also extending the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from 10 years to 20 years after the victim turns 21. Representative Overcast and supporters from the insurance and business communities argued the change would improve Missouri’s business climate, lower insurance costs, and align the state with most others; opponents, including trial lawyers and victim advocates, warned that shortening the filing window would harm injured adults and sexual abuse survivors who need more time to come forward. Representative Sites supported the child sexual abuse expansion but said broader retroactivity work was still ongoing. No vote was taken in the hearing itself, but the bill drew both support and opposition testimony.
The committee then heard House Bill 1610 and House Bill 2182, both of which were described as similar proposals to shorten the general civil statute of limitations, with HB 1610 moving from five years to three years and HB 2182 moving from five years to two years. Supporters repeated the same business-climate and insurance-rate arguments, while opponents repeated concerns about access to justice and the time needed to investigate complex injuries. Several witnesses from the insurance, chamber, farm bureau, railroad, and business groups testified in support, and some said they preferred two years over three. The chair noted the testimony was largely repetitive across the bills, and the hearings concluded without recorded votes in the transcript.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2714, which would change Missouri from a pure comparative fault system to a modified comparative fault system, barring recovery if a plaintiff is found more than 50% at fault. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Missouri more business-friendly and more consistent with neighboring states, while opponents from the trial bar argued it would unfairly cut off recovery for injured people and that juries already apportion fault under current law. Testimony focused on how fault percentages are determined, the effect on settlements and trials, and examples such as car crashes and product liability cases. The hearing ended with continued opposition testimony and no final committee action reported in the transcript.