Browse Legislation

SB 1768 - This act modifies the definition of "firefighter" under the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act by adding members of fire departments, fire protection districts, or other fire-fighting organizations, as well as anyone employed by such entities in a clerical or other capacity. Such definition is further modified by repealing language that specifically excludes volunteer firefighters. This act is similar to HB 3480 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SCR 22 - This concurrent resolution urges the United States Congress to fully cooperate with federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. This concurrent resolution is similar to HR 5494 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1778 - This act establishes provisions relating to personal finance curriculum requirements for public school students. "Personal finance" is defined as a course encompassing financial literacy and the current tools, resources, and disciplines necessary for success in the modern economy. Instruction in financial literacy shall include certain topics specified in the act, such as earning income and understanding paychecks; budgeting and expense management; saving and long-term financial planning; banking and financial services; credit, loans, and interest; responsible credit card use; investing, retirement accounts, and compound interest; fraud prevention and financial safety; taxes and civic financial responsibilities; and the understanding of contracts and major purchases, including housing and automobiles. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall convene a work group to develop and recommend academic performance standards for instruction in personal finance. The work group shall include educators, a DESE representative, and up to two representatives from each of the following sectors: banking, entrepreneurship, nonprofit organizations focused on educating young professionals and entrepreneurs, investment, student loans, retirement planning, and insurance. DESE shall determine the total membership of the work group, provided that not less than 25% of the members shall be educators who teach personal finance. The State Board of Education shall adopt and implement academic performance standards relating to personal finance for the 2027–28 school year and all subsequent school years. Such standards shall be reviewed every seven years to ensure they reflect current economic trends and best practices. For the 2027–28 school year and all subsequent school years, each school district shall require every student, after completion of 9th grade, to complete one-half unit of credit in personal finance prior to receiving a high school diploma. A school district may waive this requirement for a student transferring from outside Missouri upon receipt of documentation demonstrating the student's successful completion of a substantially similar course. A school district may also permit a 9th grade student to complete the required credit upon the recommendation of a school counselor, as provided in the act. Certain provisions of state law relating to the development of academic performance standards shall not apply to this act. This act is identical to HB 2867 (2026) and similar to HCS/HB 2303 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1352 - Currently, the offense of animal abuse is a class E felony if the purposeful or intentional injury or suffering of an animal is the result of torture or mutilation consciously inflicted while the animal is alive. This act provides that the offense is a class E felony if the purposeful or intentional injury or suffering of an animal is the result of torture or mutilation inflicted while the animal is alive or if substantial harm caused to animal is the result of starvation. This act is similar to a provision in SB 1304 (2026), HB 2436 (2026), HB 2904 (2026), SB 541 (2025), and HCS/HB 910 (2025). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1046 - Under this act, upon classification of a school district as unaccredited, the State Board of Education may suspend the governing or managing authority of the elected school board members of the unaccredited school district and take actions relating to special administrative boards as set forth in the act. Current law provides that a special administrative board for a school district shall have no fewer than five members. Under this act, such board shall have seven members, four of whom shall be residents of the school district. Each member of the board shall serve for three years, and the qualifications of the members are listed in the act. The special administrative board shall meet at least once per month, and each member shall receive a salary of $500 a month. Within 15 days after the vote to appoint a member to the special administrative board, if a member of the Missouri House of Representatives whose district includes the school district, in whole or in part, submits a request to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the appointment shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. The members of the school district's elected school board shall be ex-officio, non-voting members of the special administrative board. Upon failure of the school district to be classified as provisionally or fully accredited for at least two successive academic years, the State Board of Education shall require the special administrative board to establish a specific plan and timeline for achieving accreditation and shall require the special administrative board to satisfy certain other requirements, including the appointment of a new superintendent of the school district for a term of not more than three years. The authority of the special administrative board shall expire at the end of the third full school year following its appointment, unless extended for not more than three school years by the State Board of Education. Governance of the school district shall be returned to the elected school board upon the expiration of the authority of the special administrative board. The act repeals a provision of law authorizing the State Board of Education to appoint additional members to any special administrative board and to set final terms of office for members of such board. Not later than six full school years after the appointment of the special administrative board, on a date set by the State Board of Education, any district operating under the governance of a special administrative board shall return to local governance. This act is identical to SB 306 (2025), is substantially similar to SB 1104 (2024), SB 272 (2023), SB 951 (2022), and HB 1774 (2022), and is similar to HB 2048 (2026), HB 387 (2025), HB 1646 (2024), and HB 63 (2023). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1600 - Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, this act requires school districts to conduct universal screenings of all students at least once before 3rd grade for the purpose of identifying gifted students. These screenings shall use valid, reliable, and current testing methods; provide a body of evidence from at least two distinct areas such as general mental ability, academic achievement, creativity, reasoning, problem solving, or various forms of referral; and be reviewed by personnel trained in gifted education or assessment. A child's failure to satisfy the gifted criteria of a single assessment shall not preclude further evaluation or consideration. Additionally, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, each school district shall adopt a board-approved policy that establishes procedures for universal screening of students for gifted program selection and that notifies parents of the screening process annually. A school district's criteria for identifying gifted students shall be guided by recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children established in current law. This act is identical to SB 1628 (2026) and HCS/HB 1757 (2026), and is similar to HB 2704 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 963 - At least twice during each school year, this act requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are at least 17 1/2 years old the opportunity to register to vote. The first opportunity shall occur during school hours on the fourth Tuesday in September. The second opportunity shall occur at a later time and shall be conducted by the local election authority in whose jurisdiction the school district or charter school is located. The school district or charter school shall coordinate with the local election authority to provide the second voter registration activity. The Secretary of State shall prepare materials regarding voter registration to be distributed at each voter registration activity conducted pursuant to the provisions of the act. Each school district and charter school shall file a report regarding voter registration activities with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by December 31 of each year. This act is identical to HB 3137 (2026) and SB 375 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1378 - This act authorizes school districts and charter schools to provide instruction in cursive writing to all students by the end of fifth grade and to ensure that each student passes a teacher-constructed test demonstrating competency in both reading and writing cursive. This act is identical to SB 429 (2025) and a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 1569 (2024), and is similar to HB 1876 (2026), HB 2049 (2026), HCS/HBs 2115 & 1876 (2026), HB 2773 (2026), HB 346 (2025), HB 375 (2025), HB 906 (2025), HB 1237 (2025), SB 1462 (2024), HB 1502 (2024), HB 2094 (2024), HB 2852 (2024), SB 664 (2023), HB 232 (2023), HB 2073 (2022), SB 1071 (2020), HB 1262 (2020), HB 54 (2019), HB 2614 (2018), and a provision in HB 108 (2021). OLIVIA SHANNON

Repeals the prohibition on municipal sanctuary policies

SB 1228 - Under this act, several references to the Department of Economic Development now reference the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. (Sections 173.2800, 173.2805, 173.2850, 173.2855, and 173.2860) These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SS/SCS/SB 890 (2026), HCS/SS/SB 889 (2026), and in HB 1628 (2026), and are similar to provisions in HCS/HB 606 (2025), SB 1371 (2024), and in HB 2650 (2024). Additionally, the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development shall have authority to make grants to eligible entities, as defined by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. (Section 173.2865) This act is identical to SB 128 (2025), SB 1217 (2024), SB 580 (2023), and SB 1195 (2022). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1172 - This act establishes the "Cronkite New Voices Act", which provides that in both public high schools and public institutions of higher education, a student journalist, as defined in the act, has the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media. In school districts, the district and student-media advisors may regulate the number, length, frequency, and format of school-sponsored media. School districts shall not engage in prior restraint of school-sponsored media except in the circumstances described in the act. Student journalists shall be responsible for determining the content of school-sponsored media, while student-media advisors are responsible for teaching and encouraging expression and the standards of English and journalism. No student-media advisor shall be subject to disciplinary actions described in the act for refusal to abridge or infringe upon freedom of expression. No publication or other exercise of the rights provided under this act shall be deemed an expression of school or institutional policy. No school district, institution of higher education, or employee of such entities shall be held liable in any civil or criminal action for any publication or other exercise of rights provided under this act, except to the extent that such an entity or person actively participated in conduct that is the subject of a civil or criminal action. School districts and their employees may also be liable if they knew of such conduct and failed to take timely action to prevent or withdraw the publication or expression that is the subject of the action. Student journalists who are not minors may be liable based on material for which they were responsible or involved. School districts shall adopt a written freedom of the press policy that includes reasonable provisions for the time, place, and manner of student expression. The policy may also restrict speech that is offensive, threatening, or that fits other similar descriptions provided in the act. This act is identical to SB 258 (2025), SB 1217 (2024), SB 440 (2023), SB 855 (2022), SB 434 (2021), HB 480 (2021), SB 923 (2020), HCS/HBs 743 & 673 (2019), and HB 1940 (2018); is substantially similar to HB 1668 (2022), HB 2317 (2020), and HCS/HB 576 (2019); and is similar to HCS/HB 2918 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SS/SCS/SJR 95 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, establishes the "Show-Me Prosperity Fund", which is established as a permanent public endowment to provide long-term fiscal stability with the goal of eliminating state-imposed taxes without impairing the real value of the fund's principal. The fund shall consist of money appropriated to it by the General Assembly, and may also receive gifts, donations, grants, and bequests from any source. The State Treasurer shall invest the fund in exchange-traded funds tracking the stock performance of the Standard and Poor's 500 a manner consistent with fiduciary standards applicable to public trust funds. No money shall be appropriated from the fund until the notification is given by the State Treasurer that the net investment earnings of the fund, as defined in the amendment, are sufficient to eliminate state-imposed taxes, at which time net investment earnings from the fund shall be used to eliminate state taxes as provided in the amendment. The total amount of moneys that may be appropriated from the fund in a fiscal year shall not exceed three percent of the average market value of the fund over the preceding five fiscal years. Upon the elimination of all state-imposed taxes, no such taxes shall thereafter be enacted, provided, however, that in the event the fund is unable to meet its obligations due to insolvency, revenue shortfall, or program failure, the General Assembly shall retain full authority to appropriate funds from any lawful source and to enact legislation establishing or increasing taxes or other revenues as necessary to ensure continuity of state programs and fulfillment of state expenditures that were anticipated to be supported by the fund. Upon the elimination of all state-imposed taxes, the General Assembly may appropriate net investment earnings from the fund for the purpose of replacing federal moneys received by the state, for issuing dividend payments to residents of the state, or both. The principal of the fund shall not be appropriated, pledged, or borrowed against. The State Auditor shall conduct an audit of the fund to ensure compliance with the provisions of the amendment at such times that the Auditor deems necessary, but no less than once every three fiscal years. This amendment is substantially similar to HJR 189 (2026). JOSHUA NORBERG

SB 1610 - This act creates the Liaison for Postsecondary Education for Homeless Pupils within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, along with a corresponding fund in the state treasury, for purposes of providing support for homeless pupils. The act defines "homeless pupil" as any person who satisfies the definition of "homeless children and youths" or "unaccompanied youth" under federal law. The Governor shall, to the extent that money is available for the purpose, appoint the Liaison for a term of four years. The individual appointed shall be knowledgeable in the various issues relating to homeless and unaccompanied pupils, including the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; shall have no pecuniary interest in any entity providing services to homeless pupils; shall not pursue any other business or vocation; and shall not be a member of any political party. The Governor may remove the Liaison from office for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. The act outlines the Liaison's duties, which include conducting an annual analysis of homeless pupils to assess their needs; developing a database to monitor trends in the graduation and retention of homeless pupils; developing a model for college and career readiness for homeless pupils; collaborating with high schools to support homeless pupils who have been admitted to an institution of higher education in this state; collaborating with financial aid offices, student support services, and campus housing services of institutions of higher education; identifying and referring homeless pupils to mentoring programs; increasing awareness among staff members of institutions of higher education in Missouri who work with homeless pupils; maintaining a database of food banks, clothing banks, and low-cost health care providers; establishing one or more food banks or clothing banks on a campus of an institution of higher education within this state; establishing a plan for housing homeless pupils when campus housing is not available; and applying for and accepting grants awarded under federal law relating to reducing college costs for unaccompanied pupils. The Liaison may employ staff, purchase equipment, lease office space, and perform other necessary functions, as provided in the act. This act is similar to HB 3373 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1641 - Under this act, a private school student may participate in an extracurricular activity offered by a local public school or charter school if the activity is not offered by the private school in which the student is enrolled. This act is identical to HB 3485 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1224 - This act modifies provisions relating to searches and seizures of private property by public entities. SEARCHES AND SEIZURES ON PROPERTY FENCED OR ENTRY NOT PERMITTED (SECTION 542.296) This act provides that a search and seizure of a person's private property is unlawful if such search and seizure was made without a warrant on the property of a landowner who fenced or posted a "no trespassing" sign on the property, or, by some other means, indicated unmistakably that entry is not permitted, except in the case of national security or in the case of a missing person. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 625 (2025), SB 1089 (2024), SB 309 (2023), and SB 1027 (2022). CAMERAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY (SECTION 542.525) This act repeals provisions relating to obtaining permission from a chief law enforcement officer to place surveillance cameras on private property. This provision is identical to HB 2547 (2026), and to a provision in SB 625 (2025), HB 209 (2025), HB 561 (2025), in HB 1609 (2024), HB 1788 (2024), in HCS/HBs 178, 179 & 401 (2023), HB 335 (2023), in HCS/HB 1694 (2022), and HB 2612 (2022). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1612 - This act creates the "Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act" and requires all public institutions of higher education to designate a homeless and foster student liaison within the institution's financial aid office. The liaison shall assist current and prospective students in applying for federal and state financial aid, as provided in the act. A public institution of higher education may grant resident status to a Missouri resident who is 19 years of age or under at the time of enrollment, regardless of how long the student has resided in the state, if the student is determined to have been homeless at any time during the two years immediately preceding such student's enrollment. A public institution of higher education that offers student housing may develop a plan to provide that homeless and foster students have access to housing resources as needed during and between academic terms. The plan may grant such students first priority for housing placement and provide that they be placed in the institution's housing facility that remains open for occupation during the most days in a calendar year. This act is similar to HCS/HB 2722 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SCS/SB 836 - This act modifies various provisions relating to elections. NOTICES OF ELECTION (Section 115.125) The act allows a notice of election to be sent by email. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026) and substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024). CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINES - LOCAL OFFICES(Section 115.127) Under current law, the period for filing a declaration of candidacy in certain political subdivisions and special districts is from 8:00 a.m. on the 17th Tuesday prior to the election until 5:00 p.m. on the 14th Tuesday prior to the election. This act changes that period to 8:00 a.m. on the 16th Tuesday prior to the election until 5:00 p.m. on the 13th Tuesday prior to the election, unless the 13th Tuesday prior to an election falls on a holiday, then the closing of filing shall be at 5:00 p.m. on the next day that is not a holiday. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026), a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 774 (2024), a provision in SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), HB 1604 (2024), a provision in SCS/HB 2084 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2206 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024), a provision in SCS/SB 346 (2023), and CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023) and substantially similar to HB 2225 (2024), HCS/HB 1214 (2023), provisions in the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), and HCS/HB 783 (2023). TESTING OF ELECTION EQUIPMENT (Section 115.233) Current law requires, in any election in which an electronic voting system is to be used, an election authority to have the automatic tabulating equipment tested within 14 days prior to the election to ascertain that the equipment is in compliance with the law and that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all questions. This act changes the timeline for testing such that it must be completed at least 14 days, but no less than one week prior to the election. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026). ABSENTEE VOTING (Sections 115.277 and 115.284) The act allows eligible covered voters to vote absentee by submitting a federal postcard application at the office of the election authority on election day even though the person is not registered. Interstate former residents and new residents may vote by absentee ballot at the office of the election authority on election day for the offices for which such voters are entitled to vote. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024). The act provides that all lists of absentee ballot applications for persons with permanent disabilities shall be kept confidential. These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024), substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026) and provisions in SCS/SB 346 (2023), and similar to a provision in the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), a provision in HCS/HB 783 (2023), and a provision in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023). VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (Section 115.427) The act makes accommodations for individuals who appear at the office of an election authority to vote absentee and fail to present a form of personal identification by explicitly allowing such voters to cast a provisional ballot that will only be counted upon the voter returning to the office of the election authority by 7:00 p.m. on election day and presenting a form of personal identification for voting. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026). CASTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS (Section 115.430) The act expands a provision of law governing the casting and counting of provisional ballots to all public elections, rather than just particular primary or general elections. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026), a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), HCS/HB 1525 (2024), HB 2052 (2024), HCS/HB 2140 (2024), HCS/HB 2895 (2024), SCS/SB 346 (2023), the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), and a provision in HCS/HB 783 (2023). WRITE-IN CANDIDATES - REPEAL OF EXEMPTION FOR ELECTIONS WITHOUT PARTY CANDIDATES (Section 115.453) Current law provides that votes for write-in candidates are only counted for candidates who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate. Current law also provides an exemption to this requirement in instances where no candidate has filed for the office in question. This act repeals the exemption so that write-in candidates are only counted when a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate has been filed with the proper election authority. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026) and a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025). SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1121 - This act creates the "Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act" and creates and modifies provisions relating to higher education workforce policy prioritization. The act modifies the Bright Flight Scholarship Program by modifying the scholarship amounts and by awarding additional scholarships to students who receive Bright Flight awards and are enrolled in eligible programs of study under the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program. For the 2027-28 academic year and all subsequent academic years, subject to appropriation, an eligible student under Bright Flight shall be offered academic scholarships in an amount equal to the actual in-state tuition charged for the first four semesters the student is enrolled at the approved institution. This provision shall also apply to a Bright Flight recipient in academic years prior to 2027-28 who has completed the first two semesters under the current iteration of the program, for such student's third and fourth semesters. Additionally, a Bright Flight renewal student who is enrolled in an eligible program of study under Fast Track may renew Bright Flight scholarships for up to six semesters in an amount equal to the actual in-state tuition charged. (Section 173.250) The "Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act" is established to require the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) to develop a funding model for public institutions of higher education. The act sets forth criteria for the funding model, which shall be aligned to meet the professional and workforce needs for the state; shall provide sustainable resources for institutions; and shall be based on the 2023 performance funding study commissioned by DHEWD. The model shall include a process for allocating core appropriations to four-year institutions, community colleges, and State Technical College of Missouri, and shall use a cost-based approach, along with a performance component, as described in the act. The model shall also establish a plan for testing and implementation. After the plan has been reviewed and consented to by two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, as well as two senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the plan shall be approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly before August 31, 2026. DHEWD shall evaluate the effectiveness of the funding model test and submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker, and the President Pro Tempore before October 15, 2026. The funding model shall be presented to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education for final approval before November 1, 2026. However, the funding model shall not become effective unless approved by the General Assembly by concurrent resolution. For the 2028-29 fiscal year and all subsequent fiscal years, appropriations to four-year institutions, community colleges, and State Technical College of Missouri shall be in accordance with the funding model approved by the General Assembly. (Section 173.1541) This provision is similar to HB 1569 (2025), HB 2905 (2024), and to a provision in HCS/HB 2123 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1643 - Currently, a child support order will terminate when one of several conditions is met, including when a child reaches twenty-one years of age. This act changes that age to twenty-two. SARAH HASKINS

SB 1729 - Currently, a school district is required to give students the opportunity to take the ACT WorkKeys assessment required for the National Career Readiness Certificate ("WorkKeys"), at no cost to the student, only if the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education directs a state-funded census administration of the ACT assessment or if the school district funds the administration of the ACT assessment. Under this act, a school district shall administer college and career readiness assessments, including a career readiness assessment that leads to a nationally recognized work readiness certificate, in a manner and frequency prescribed by the State Board of Education. Such assessments shall be administered to each student before the student graduates from high school. A career readiness assessment may include WorkKeys. A school district may offer additional college and career readiness assessments, at no cost to the student, by using funds appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose. Additionally, each public institution of higher education may adopt and implement a policy to use a credential earned through WorkKeys as a transcribable credit toward the attainment of a postsecondary technical degree as recommended by the American Council on Education national guide. This act is identical to HB 3489 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON