Bills in the Missouri Legislature for February 25th, 2026

House

HB 1682 — Requires equal protection and justice under the law “from the beginning of biological development” for unborn fetuses. Also SB 951.

HB 1817 — Requires public assistance programs to report data, including the total number of households enrolled, the total number of people served, the average benefit in dollars received, and the number of households that became ineligible to receive benefits. Applies to cities, villages, towns, and counties with more than 1,000 residents.

HB 2170 — Requires children under 3 years of age to be secured in a rear-facing child restraint. Violation would result in a fine of not more than $50 plus costs.

HB 2189 — Allows car owners to register their vehicles for up to five years. Only cars six years old or newer would be eligible. Owners must still have a paid personal property tax receipt or a certificate that no taxes are due, proof of insurance, and proof of inspection. There would be no discount for a five-year registration. (Rep. Bob Bromley)

HB 2206 — Requires scrap and auto dealers to keep more records of catalytic converter purchases, including the make, model, year, and vehicle identification number of the source. Expands Missouri’s existing salvage dealer license requirements to those trading detached catalytic converters, placing them under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Revenue. Requires photographic documentation of sales, including pictures of sellers, products, and source vehicles. If passed, it will be a Class E Felony to possess with intent to sell a catalytic converter known to be stolen.

HB 2641 — Makes intoxicating Hemp products illegal. (Rep. Dave Hinman). Passed the Missouri House 109-34.

HB 2761 — Eliminates all solid waste districts in Missouri. Also Senate Bill 1586.

HB 2780 — Changes how property taxes are calculated and when property tax measures are voted on. Would have changed when voters approve property tax levies from April to November.

HB 2819 — Allows vendors to round down cash transactions ending in 1, 2, 6, or 7 and round up cash transactions ending in 2, 4, 8, or 9. (Rep. Brenda Shields). Also being considered under SB 1620.

HB 2989 — Legalizes and regulates gaming machines. Establishes a centralized regulatory, licensing, and taxing system for such machines. Passed the House 83-66 and moves to the Senator for further consideration. Gives local municipalities more control over the level of enforcement and allows them to ban the machines. A tax on the revenue from such machines would go to elementary, secondary, and higher education schools. Machines currently in operation would be allowed to operate through August 2027 if owners submit the machines’ full financial, installation, and maintenance records to the Lottery Commission and Attorney General for review.

HB 3146 — Increases the number of words a summary statement in a ballot measure can contain from 50 to 100. Grants the Secretary of State the ability to rewrite summary statements three times before a judge could rewrite the bill. Currently, if a court finds that a ballot summary does not accurately represent the measure, it is up to the judge to rewrite the language.

HB 3170 — Removes the restrictions on the purchase of hospitals in 25 rural counties. Would allow MU Health Care to purchase health care facilities in counties surrounding Columbia.

HJR 3 -- On Friday, a judge struck three bullet points from the ballot summary for this measure, which would make it more difficult for Missouri voters to approve changes to the Constitution. Currently, citizen-initiated constitutional amendments require a simply majority. If approved, constitutional amendments must pass in all eight congressional districts. The judge ruled that the bullet points constituted "eye candy," which distracted from the true purpose of the measure. Subject to voter approval. Governor Mike Kehoe has not set an election date for this measure.

HJR 104, 122, and 149 — Removes the eight-year term limit for each legislative chamber, but keeps the 16 year cap for both chambers. Prohibits representatives from serving as Speaker of the House for more than six years and senators from serving as President Pro Tem for more than eight. Would take effect in 2030. Subject to voter approval.

HJR 109 — The Fetal Personhood Amendment. If passed by the legislature and the Missouri voters, would clarify that personhood starts at conception. Overturns the voter-approved amendment legalizing abortion in Missouri. Also SJR 72.

HJR 154 — The Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements Bill. Passed the House 101-46. Subject to approval by the Senate and then voters.

Senate

SB 919 — Caps property tax assessment increases at 15% and limits growth of homeowners’ taxes.  Does not apply to new additions or expansions to property or voter-approved levies. (Sen. Joe Nicola)

SB 1070 — Allows “certified bounty hunters” to detain undocumented immigrants. If such an arrest were made, punishment could be life imprisonment or transfer to ICE custody.

SB 1238 — Public and charter school teachers would be required to provide instruction on the positive impacts of religion on American history. Provides a list of 19 events and figures that would become a part of required teaching in American History classes.

Governor Mike Kehoe

On Thursday, Governor Mike Kehoe will proclaim National FFA Week in Missouri.

Iowa

HF 2117 -- Would provide funding to retrofit up to 100 existing private wells with groundwater monitoring equipment.

HF 2447 -- Requires data centers to submit regular reports on their water and energy use and to not pass their water/energy usage costs onto other customers.

HF 2527 -- Would limit the ability to sue Big Ag for greenhouse gas emissions.