Browse Legislation

Creates provisions relating to battery recycling

Prohibits the taxation of unrealized gains

Modifies provisions relating to special administrative boards for unaccredited school districts

SB 1159 - This act provides that a person shall not sell or transfer a firearm unless the person is: • A licensed firearms dealer; • Selling or transferring to a licensed firearms dealer; or • If neither party is a licensed firearms dealer, the parties to the transaction complete the sale or transfer through a licensed firearms dealer, as provided in the act. If a firearm is to be transferred through a trust, the transfer shall be completed through a firearms dealer. If the heir or devisee is prohibited from receiving the firearm, the heir or devisee may authorize the transfer to a specific individual or the dealer may be authorized to sell the firearm and have the proceeds given to the heir or devisee. This act provides that neither the state nor any political subdivision shall require a firearms dealer to supply a list of transactions conducted. A firearms dealer shall not be required for transactions involving: • Law enforcement officers or corrections officers in the scope of their duty; • U.S. Marshals, members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, or federal officials within the scope of their duties; • Gunsmiths performing service or repairs; • Persons engaged in the business of transportation or storage, to the extent the receipt of the firearm is in the ordinary course of business; and • Persons loaned a firearm by a relative. Any person violating any of the provisions relating to firearms dealers shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor. A person guilty of such an offense shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which a violation of this provision is committed or continued. Law enforcement agencies shall report any violation of this act to the Attorney General, who shall report to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives within the United States Department of Justice. This act is identical to SB 543 (2025), HB 356 (2025), and HB 1878 (2024), and similar to SB 731 (2022). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SS#2/SCS/SB 1029 - This act creates and modifies provisions relating to education. FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES (Sections 67.547 and 67.5420) This act provides that current law relating to the distribution of sales tax proceeds in St. Louis County shall not apply to a tax for the purpose of funding early childhood educational services, and requires that such proceeds shall be deposited in the county's Early Childhood Education Fund, which is created by the act. (Section 67.547) This act also requires the proceeds of any tax imposed by St. Louis County or St. Louis City for the purposes of improving the quality, affordability, and access to early childhood development programs for children aged five years and younger to be deposited into the county or city Early Childhood Education Fund. The administrative control and management of such funds shall be by the board of directors responsible for the administration of a city or county Community Children's Services Fund. The board of directors shall use or disburse the funds in the Early Childhood Education Fund to provide and administer programs subsidizing the cost of providing early childhood education, prioritizing children in financial need. Financial assistance may be used for early childhood education and child care provided by public, private, not-for-profit, and for-profit entities licensed, contracted to receive child care subsidies, or otherwise registered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including preschools, childcare centers, nursery schools, local education agencies, charter schools, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, informal childcare providers and independent and system-affiliated family child care homes, as described in the act. (Section 67.5420) These provisions are similar to SB 1662 (2026), HCS/HB 2379 (2026), HB 3149 (2026), SB 20 (2025), SB 1447 (2024), HB 373 (2023), and a provision in SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026). MISSOURI EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (Sections 135.714, 135.715, and 135.716) Currently, educational assistance organizations (EAOs) that award student scholarships through the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program are required to spend at least 90% of all taxpayer contributions on scholarship accounts. Between three and ten percent of such contributions may be spent on marketing and administrative expenses, depending on the total amount of contributions received. Additionally, four percent of all contributions are to be deposited into a state fund to be used by the State Treasurer for marketing and administrative expenses or the costs incurred in administering the program, whichever is less. This act requires EAOs to ensure that at least 94% of all contributions and state appropriations are spent on scholarship accounts. Three percent of the EAO's remaining revenue from contributions and appropriations may be spent on the EAO's administrative expenses. Additionally, three percent, rather than four percent, of all contributions and appropriations to each EAO shall be deposited into the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Fund, to be used by the State Treasurer for administrative expenses or the costs incurred in administering the program, whichever is less. (Sections 135.714, 135.715, and 135.716). The act further provides that each EAO shall submit to an annual audit conducted by the State Auditor within six months of the end of the EAO's fiscal year, rather than submitting audits prepared by a certified public accountant to the State Treasurer annually. The State Treasurer shall provide all information included in the annual audits if requested by a public governmental body, without redactions. However, any personally identifiable information of any qualified student or parent that satisfies the definition of "personally identifiable information" under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act shall be a closed record under the Missouri Sunshine Law and shall not be disclosed to the public by any public governmental body. (Section 135.714) SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Section 162.192) Under this act, each school district shall maintain a searchable, publicly accessible database on its website setting forth all financial transactions conducted with school district funds. The financial ledger shall be available without login credentials, registration, or fees, and shall be downloadable and exportable in formats specified in the act. The financial ledger shall record transactions using codes set forth in the Missouri Financial Accounting Manual published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), as applicable. Certain data fields shall be included in the financial ledger at minimum, such as transaction date, transaction amount, revenue or expenditure designation, fund code, function code, object code, vendor or payee name, and a description or memo field. The homepage of each public school's website shall include a direct link to the financial ledger of the school district that oversees such public school. The link shall make the financial ledger accessible within one click, and shall be functional and mobile-responsive. DESE may provide standardized language or icons that public schools may use for this purpose. A school district's financial ledger shall be updated at least monthly. Details of each calendar month's financial transactions shall be posted no later than 45 days after the close of that calendar month. For record keeping purposes, a school district shall maintain at least five fiscal years of historical data on its financial ledger. Protected personal information may be redacted only to the extent required by applicable law. Vendor names, amounts, and accounting codes shall not be redacted. Payroll data may be presented in aggregated form where disclosure of individual information is restricted. Debt obligations shall be posted in a separate section of the financial ledger, with disclosure of outstanding debt balances, issuance dates, repayment schedules, annual debt service amounts, and debt service as a percentage of total expenditures. DESE may provide or approve standardized templates or platforms school districts may use for their financial ledgers. DESE may additionally provide guidance to assist school districts with compliance. DESE shall promulgate rules establishing procedures and timelines for school districts to certify compliance annually. A school district that violates any provision of this act may be subject to the withholding of state aid from such school district. DESE shall establish a process for members of the public to file complaints if they believe a school district has violated any provision of the act. DESE may also establish a public compliance dashboard on DESE's website to enable members of the public to check whether a particular school district is certified as in compliance. This provision is similar to provisions in SCS/SB 1207 (2026), SCS/HBs 2120 & 1698 (2026), SCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2710 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2748 (2026), SCS/HB 2872 (2026), and SCS/HB 2896 (2026). SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL EXPENSES (Section 162.821) The act requires school districts to include the amount expended for legal services in their Annual Secretary of the Board Report. If the report does not include the amount expended for legal services, then the Attorney General may bring a civil action, including an action for injunctive relief, against the school district. Such action shall be brought in the county where the school district is located. This provision is identical to SB 1353 (2026), substantially similar to SB 793 (2025), and similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2710 (2026) and in HCS/SB 1351 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

Modifies the calculation of state aid for certain school districts

SB 1257 - This act specifies that children under the age of 2 years riding in motor vehicles shall be secured in rear-facing child passenger restraint systems; except that the child may be secured in a front-facing system once the child reaches the highest rear-facing weight or height established by the restraint system's manufacturer. The act also modifies the height, weight, and age requirements to specify that children shall be secured by a regular vehicle safety belt once they reach at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height; 80 pounds in weight; or 8 years of age. The act repeals a provision specifying that a person shall not be in violation of the child passenger restraint law if, when transporting children in the immediate family and there are more children than seating positions in the vehicle, the children who are unable to be restrained by an appropriate child safety restraint are seated in the area behind the front seat of the vehicle unless the vehicle is designed only for a front seating area. Penalties under the act are modified to specify that drivers transporting unsecured children who are under the age of 16 but not subject to a child restraint system or booster seat requirement shall be subject to the penalty specified in the act rather than the penalty for a safety belt violation. Lastly, the act repeals a provision stating that charges under the act shall be dismissed or withdrawn if the driver provides evidence he or she has acquired a child passenger restraint system or booster seat. This act is identical to SB 497 (2025), and similar to HB 2170 (2026), HB 2261 (2024), HB 1528 (2024), HB 731 (2023), and provisions in HCS/HB 443 (2023). TAYLOR MIDDLETON

Repeals expired, terminated, sunset, and obsolete sections of law

SB 1665 - This act prohibits government agents, as such term is defined in the act, from entering a private residence without a warrant unless they have received permission from the owner or occupant, are responding to a life-threatening emergency, or are preventing the imminent destruction of evidence. Where a government agent enters private land, such agent is required by this act to immediately notify the landowner or occupant if they are present. If equipped with a body-mounted camera, such camera must be activated and recording the entire time the agent is on the property. Such agent is also required to show the warrant to the owner or occupant if they are present. This act prohibits a government agent from seizing any private property from a home or private land unless such agent has a warrant authorizing the seizure, or they entered due to exigent circumstances. Any evidence obtained from a search or seizure in violation of this act is inadmissible in any court proceeding. If a person is arrested pursuant to a search or seizure in violation of this act, such arrest is invalid. A person that has been subjected to a search or seizure that violates this act, may bring a civil action against the violating state agency. TRISTAN BENSON JR.

SB 1517 - This act modifies provisions relating to property taxes. TAX BALLOT MEASURE LANGUAGE This act provides that a political subdivision or election authority shall not advertise or describe any proposed property tax as not increasing taxes unless failing to adopt the measure would cause an actual increase in the tax rate and adopting the measure would cause the tax rate to stay the same or decrease. (Section 67.496) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026) and HCS#2/HB 2668 (2026). This act requires an election authority to label tax ballot measures numerically or alphabetically in the order in which they are submitted. (Section 115.240) This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026), SS/SCS/SBs 1410 & 853 (2026), SB 1784 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 1790 (2026), HCS/HB 2178 (2026), and HCS#2/HB 2668 (2026). This act modifies multiple provisions of current law to provide that any ballot measures proposing a new or increased real or personal property tax levy shall be submitted on a general election day and shall include certain information, as described in the act. (Section 115.706 and multiple other sections) This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026), SB 1784 (2026), HCS#2/HB 2668 (2026), and HCS/HB 2925 (2026). LOCAL ELECTIONS This act provides that all general elections for local, state, and national offices and issues shall be conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. (Section 115.123) This provision is identical to a provision in HB 1613 (2026). PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS This act provides that a political subdivision that adopts a tax abatement or similar economic incentive shall decrease any real property tax levy that is increased on property located in the political subdivision that does not receive an abatement. (Section 137.039) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026) and HCS#2/HB 2668 (2026). PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS Current law provides that new construction and improvements shall not be included in the total assessed valuation for the purposes of calculating property tax levies. This act repeals such provisions. (Sections 137.055 and 137.073) This act requires that if the voters in a political subdivision approve an increase to the tax rate ceiling prior to the expiration of a previously approved temporary levy increase, the new tax rate ceiling shall remain in effect only until such time as the temporary levy increase expires under the terms originally approved by a vote of the people, at which time the tax rate ceiling shall be decreased by the amount of the temporary levy increase. If, prior to the expiration of a temporary levy increase, voters are asked to approve an additional permanent levy increase, voters shall be submitted ballot language that clearly indicates that if the permanent levy increase is approved, the temporary levy shall be made permanent. (Section 137.073.5(3)) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026), SB 1293 (2026), SS/SCS/SBs 1410 & 853 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 1790 (2026), HCS/HBs 2709 & 2671 (2026), HCS#2/HB 2780 (2026), HCS/HB 119 (2025), HB 660 (2025), HB 1497 (2025), HCS/HB 2058 (2024), HCS/HB 1517 (2024), HCS/HB 2140 (2024), CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023), and HCS/SS#3/SCS/SB 131 (2023), and is substantially similar to SB 880 (2018) and SB 357 (2017). This act provides that, if the total assessed valuation in a political subdivision decreases in the tax year immediately following a tax year in which the voters approved an increase to the tax rate ceiling, such political subdivision may increase its levy such that the revenue received equals the amount that would have been received from the increased rate of levy had there been no decrease in the total assessed valuation. (Section 137.073.5(6)) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026), SB 1293 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 1790 (2026), HCS/HBs 2709 & 2671 (2026), HCS#2/HB 2780 (2026), HCS/HB 119 (2025), HB 660 (2025), HB 1497 (2025), HCS/HB 2058 (2024), HCS/HB 1517 (2024), and HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and is substantially similar to a provision in SS/SCS/SBs 1410 & 853 (2026). Current law requires an assessor to conduct a physical inspection of any residential real property prior to increasing the assessed valuation of such property by more than 15%. This act applies such requirement to all utility, industrial, commercial, railroad and other non-agricultural real property. (Section 137.115.10) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026), SB 1784 (2026), HCS#2/HB 2780 (2026), and is substantially similar to a provision in SS/SCS/SBs 1410 & 853 (2026) and SCS/HCS/HB 2178 (2026). PROPERTY TAX CREDITS Current law allows counties to provide a property tax credit to certain seniors. This act requires counties to provide such credit and makes technical changes to the definitions of "eligible credit amount" and "eligible taxpayer". The act also requires the statement of tax due to include certain information about the proportional amount of the credit attributable to each taxing jurisdiction. Finally, the act provides that the credit shall apply to all property tax levies, including debt service levies. (Section 137.1050) This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026) and is similar to a provision in SS/SCS/SBs 1410 & 853 (2026) and SCS/HCS/HB 2944 (2026). Current law also allows counties to provide a property tax credit to all other taxpayers, with certain counties able to annually increase the real property tax liability by five percent or the percent increase in inflation, whichever is greater. This act limits such increase to the lesser of the two amounts. (Section 137.1055) This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026). TOTALED MOTOR VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX CREDIT This act authorizes any taxing entity to provide a property tax credit to a taxpayer to reduce the total personal property tax owed on a totaled motor vehicle. The amount of the property tax credit shall be equal to the amount of property tax owed on such vehicle, prorated for the amount of months left in the tax year. In order to authorize a property tax credit pursuant to the act, the governing body of the taxing entity shall adopt an ordinance, as described in the act. (Section 139.035) This provision is identical to HCS/HB 708 (2025) and to a provision in HB 2627 (2026). PROPERTY TAX INSTALLMENTS Current law authorizes counties to provide for the payment of real and personal property taxes in installments, but excludes township counties from utilizing such payment plans. This act repeals such prohibition for township counties. (Section 139.053) This provision is identical to SB 1211 (2026) and HB 388 (2025), and is substantially similar to provisions in SS/SCS/SBs 1410 & 853 (2026) and SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 1768 & 2060 (2026). SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY TAX LEVIES Current law requires school districts to impose a property tax levy for operating purposes of not less than $2.75 in order to receive the full amount of state aid. This act lowers such required levy to $1.50 beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. (Section 163.021) This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 1066 & 1088 (2026) and HCS#2/HB 2780 (2026). BLIND PENSION FUND Current law imposes a state property tax of $0.03 per $100 assessed valuation for the purposes of funding the Blind Pension Fund. This act eliminates such property tax upon the adoption of a constitutional amendment requiring the General Assembly to appropriate moneys to the Blind Pension Fund. (Section 209.130) SEVERABILITY This act contains a severability clause. (Section B) JOSH NORBERG

SB 1333 - This act establishes the "Missouri Covenant Marriage Act". Persons with the legal capacity to marry under current law may enter into a covenant marriage by declaring their intent on their marriage license application. The marriage license shall be designated as a covenant marriage license and shall be recorded as such and shall be considered valid and recognized by all governmental agencies, with all the benefits and rights of a standard marriage license. This act specifies the additional declarations and affidavits to be submitted by the parties to the covenant marriage and by the clergy or counselors who provided at least 8 hours of premarital counseling to the parties. Premarital counseling shall include: (1) a discussion of the seriousness of covenant marriage, (2) communication of the fact that covenant marriage is a commitment for life, (3) a discussion of the obligation to seek marital counseling in times of marital difficulties, and (4) a discussion of the limited grounds for legally terminating a covenant marriage by dissolution or legal separation. If a husband and wife have previously obtained a standard marriage license, they may convert that to a covenant marriage license by submitting a declaration and affidavit, as specified in the act. The husband and wife shall not be required to receive premarital counseling or have the converted covenant marriage solemnized. The state of Missouri shall publish information on covenant marriages on its website. Additionally, this act establishes the requirements for terminating a covenant marriage. A husband or wife may file a petition in court for legal separation at any time, but a dissolution may only be granted after the court has first ordered a legal separation. The court shall order both parties to attend at least 40 hours of marital counseling prior to ordering a dissolution of marriage. This counseling may be provided by either a faith-based organization or a professional marriage counselor or agency. The court shall not enter a decree of dissolution until at least 2 years have passed after the initial filing for legal separation or dissolution and after first ordering a legal separation, for the following reasons: (1) adultery by either spouse; (2) habitual drug or alcohol abuse by either spouse; (3) a spouse has committed a felony and been sentenced to death or imprisonment; (4) a spouse has physically or sexually abused the other spouse, a child, a relative permanently living in the matrimonial domicile, or has committed domestic violence or severe emotional abuse; (5) a spouse has abandoned the matrimonial domicile and has not been in contact with the other spouse for at least 2 years; (6) the spouses have been living separately and continuously without reconciliation for at least 2 years; or (7) the husband and wife have both attended at least 40 hours of marital counseling over the course of at least 2 years. Finally, whether a husband and wife have entered into a standard or covenant marriage, if a court has ordered divorcing or separating parents to attend a parenting education class, then the parties may opt for a faith-based alternative program if that program informs the parties of the effects of divorce on families and children. This act is identical to SB 769 (2025), SB 1234 (2024), SB 258 (2023), SB 1117 (2022), and HB 1693 (2022). SARAH HASKINS

SCS/SB 988 - This act establishes the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact ("Compact"), which facilitates the interstate practice of dentistry and dental hygiene and provides for dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a participating state the ability to practice in other participating states. The Compact sets forth the requirements to be met in order for a state to join and the requirements for a dentist or dental hygienist to obtain and exercise the ability to practice in other participating states. The Compact further provides that a dentist or dental hygienist with compact privilege shall function within the scope of practice authorized by the participating state in which they seek to practice and shall be subject to that state's regulatory authority. A dentist or dental hygienist whose privilege in a participating state is encumbered or removed is not eligible for compact privilege in other participating states until the encumbrance or removal has passed and all requirements are met. Additionally, the Compact creates the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission ("Commission"), which is a joint government agency of the participating states tasked with administering and implementing the Compact. Each participating state shall have one Commissioner, who shall be selected within sixty days by the licensing authority of the participating state. Additionally, there shall be an Executive Board of the Commission, composed of seven Commissioners, to act on behalf of the Commission. The act provides for the powers and duties of the Commission, including the development and maintenance of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse actions, and investigative information on all licensees and applicants. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each participating state and impose fees on licensees for the compact privilege in order to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff. Upon enactment, the Compact shall be reviewed by the Commission to determine if it is materially different from the Model Compact and whether the state qualifies for participation in the Compact. Any state that adopts the Compact subsequent to the Commission’s initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be subject to the rules and bylaws existing on the date on which the Compact becomes law. Any participating state may withdraw from the Compact by repealing the Compact, but such withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after the enactment of the repeal. Finally, the Compact shall be binding upon participating states and shall supersede any conflict with state law. This act is identical to a provision in SCS/HB 1961 (2026) and in SS/HCS/HB 2974 (2026), and to provisions in HCS/SB 1092 (2026), and is similar to SB 327 (2025), a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 943 (2025) and in SS/SB 778 (2024), and to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SB 1233 (2026), in HB 1847 (2026), in HCS/SS/SB 7 (2025), in HB 56 (2025), in HCS/SS/SB 61 (2025), in HB 1031 (2025), and in HB 2075 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN

SS/SCS/SBs 977 & 1011 - This act provides that certain international organizations or bodies, such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum, shall have no jurisdiction or power within the state of Missouri. No rule, regulation, policy, or mandate of any kind from such organizations shall be enforced or implemented by any state or local public body. However, international organizations or bodies shall not include the Hauge Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and nothing in this act shall prohibit the Department of Social Services from enforcing or implementing any provision of any convention, protocol, or instrument issued by the HCCH. This act establishes the "No Foreign Laws Act" which prohibits the application and enforceability of any foreign law that denies the parties the fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of Missouri. Additionally, the act provides that no court shall enforce or apply: (1) A judgment, decree, or arbitration decision if it relies on any foreign law that violates the fundamental rights of any party; (2) A contract or contractual provision choosing foreign law which would result in a violation of fundamental rights; or (3) In certain family law matters, foreign law if inconsistent with fundamental rights or public policy. This act shall not be construed to disapprove or abrogate existing precedent of the Supreme Court of Missouri, to limit adjudication of ecclesiastical matters of a religious organization, to apply to those corporations, partnerships, or associations that voluntarily subject themselves to foreign law or foreign courts, and apply where federal law preempts state law. Additionally, this act provides that no state court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or administrative agency shall transfer any civil action if the transfer would result in the application of foreign law prohibited by this act. This act is similar to SB 1372 (2026), SB 1456 (2026), HB 2106 (2026), HB 2139 (2026), HB 2175 (2026), HB 2327 (2026), SB 619 (2014), SB 267 (2013), HB 757 (2013), SB 676 (2012), HB 1512 (2012), SB 308 (2011), and SCS/HB 708 (2011). KATIE O'BRIEN

Establishes provisions relating to reduction of certain criminal sentences of imprisonment

Authorizes a tax credit for contributions to certain youth police initiatives

Modifies the offense of littering

Designates every October 14th as "Charlie Kirk Day" in Missouri

Modifies provisions relating to criminal sentencing, including compliance and good-time credits

SB 1199 - This act prohibits any department, division, or other entity of the state, or any political subdivision from expending funds for intradepartmental programs, staffing, or other initiatives associated with "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or "diversity, inclusion, and belonging" or any other similar initiative, as described in the act. This act does not prohibit state departments from following anti-discrimination laws or complying with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. This provision is substantially similar to the perfected HB 742 (2025), SB 1031 (2026), and SB 1193 (2026). The act also prohibits any oversight body, as that term is defined in the act, from requiring, as a condition of receiving an occupational license, any person to receive training or otherwise participate in any initiative associated with “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or “diversity, inclusion, and belonging” or any other initiative that promotes: • The preferential treatment of any individual or group of individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, or ancestry; • The concept that disparities between groups are solely the result of oppression; • Collective guilt ideologies; • Intersectional or divisive identity activism; or • The limiting of freedom of conscience, thought, or speech. SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1048 - This act creates the "Missouri Disabled Veterans' Dependents Tuition Waiver" to provide college tuition waivers for the children, stepchildren, and spouses of certain veterans. The act defines an "institution" as including any state college or university or public community college that receives appropriations from the General Assembly for operating expenses and satisfies certain other conditions established in current law. A dependent of a veteran shall be eligible to receive a waiver of tuition and fees at an institution, up to a maximum that shall not exceed the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri-Columbia for attendance, if the dependent has a parent, stepparent, or spouse who is or was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who died on active duty, died of a service-connected disability, died after discharge from the military as a result of injury or illness, is rated as permanently and totally disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or is classified as missing in action or a prisoner of war. For a dependent who is the child or stepchild of such a veteran, the act specifies that the dependent shall be under 26 years old unless the dependent serves on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, in which case the eligibility period shall be extended a maximum of five years, up to the dependent's 31st birthday. The Missouri Veterans Commission shall work with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to implement the provisions of the act. The Missouri Veterans Commission shall ensure that the application process is accessible, transparent, and efficiently administered. The Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission shall establish application procedures, determine applicants' eligibility, certify approved applicants, establish procedures for fraud prevention, and oversee program compliance and reporting, as provided in the act. The Executive Director shall work with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to facilitate communication with institutions, ensure proper implementation of the waivers, and maintain program efficiency. The Coordinating Board for Higher Education shall ensure consistent implementation of the act across all institutions, develop guidelines for institutions to process tuition waivers, and coordinate with the Missouri Veterans Commission to ensure seamless communication and prevent administrative delays for eligible applicants. A tuition waiver shall be valid for one degree, diploma, or certificate from a community college and one baccalaureate degree from a state college or university. Receipt of a degree, diploma, or certificate from a community college shall precede receipt of a baccalaureate degree. A recipient of a tuition waiver shall be ineligible for the Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant Program, the Survivors of Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Program, and any other state-funded veteran-dependent tuition grant, waiver, or scholarship. A student who has previously received any such grant, waiver, or scholarship shall not be eligible to receive a tuition waiver, and a student shall not concurrently receive a tuition waiver and any other such grant, waiver, or scholarship. A recipient of a tuition waiver may transfer from one institution to another without losing entitlement to the tuition waiver. If a recipient is granted financial assistance under any other student aid program, whether public or private, the full amount of such financial assistance shall be reported to the Missouri Veterans Commission and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. This act is identical to HB 2074 (2026) substantially similar to SB 716 (2025). OLIVIA SHANNON