Missouri Senate Bills

SB 1455 - The act establishes the "Guidelines for User Age-Verification and Responsible Dialogue Act of 2026" or the "GUARD Act". The act provides that it shall be unlawful to design, develop, or make available an artificial intelligence chatbot knowing or with reckless disregard that the chatbot poses certain risks of soliciting minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct or encouraging minors to create or transmit any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct. Any person who violates this provision shall be fined not more than $100,000 per offense. It shall be unlawful to design, develop, or make available an artificial intelligence chatbot knowing or with reckless disregard that the chatbot encourages, promotes, or coerces suicide, self-injury, or imminent physical or sexual violence. Any person who violates this provision shall be fined not more than $100,000 per offense. A covered entity, as defined in the act, shall require each individual accessing a chatbot to make a user account in order to use the chatbot. For any chatbot that exists as of August 28, 2026, a covered entity shall freeze the account, require the user to provide age data to restore the account, and using the age data classify each user as a minor or an adult. At the time an individual creates a new user account to interact with a chatbot, a covered entity shall request age data from the individual, verify the individual's age using a reasonable age verification process, and classify each user as a minor or an adult using the age data. A covered entity shall periodically review previously verified user accounts using a reasonable age verification process. A covered entity may contract with a third party to employ reasonable age verification measures as part of the age verification process, as described in the act. A covered entity shall establish reasonable measures to protect personal data as described in the act. Each artificial intelligence chatbot shall at the start of each conversation with a user at 30-minute intervals disclose to the user that the chatbot is artificial intelligence and not a human being and be programmed to ensure that the chatbot does not claim to be a human being. The chatbot shall not represent that the chatbot is a licensed professional, as described in the act, or that the chatbot provides certain professional services, as described in the act. If the age verification process determines that an individual is a minor, a covered entity shall prohibit the minor from accessing any chatbot made available by the covered entity. The Attorney General may bring a civil action for violations of the act. Relief is described in the act. The act is identical to HB 2032 (2026). JULIA SHEVELEVA

SB 1446 - Current law provides that the Governor shall, without delay, issue a writ of election to fill any vacancy in the General Assembly upon receipt of any resignation or notice of vacancy, or if satisfied of the death of any member of either house, during the recess. This act requires such special election to be held at least fifty days but not more than six months after receipt of the resignation or notice of vacancy. SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1524 - This act provides that any balance in the following funds shall not be transferred to the state general revenue fund at the end of any biennium: the Highway Patrol Academy Fund, the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety Fund, and the Elevator Safety Fund. JIM ERTLE

SB 1511 - This act provides that the patient record maintained by a physician shall include questions asked by the patient, when requested by the patient to be recorded, relating to his or her care and treatment and the response of the physician to such questions. This act is identical to SB 261 (2025). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1566 - This act requires prosecuting attorneys to make certain disclosures about the use of informants in a criminal case. Under the provisions of this act, a prosecuting attorney must disclose the identity of the informant and the substance of the testimony. This act requires that all phone and in person communication by law enforcement or prosecution personnel with informants be audio or video recorded and shared with the defense. In addition, all written communication with the informant must be shared. Under this act, the court shall conduct a pretrial hearing to determine the reliability and admissibility of the informant's testimony upon the motion of the defendant. This act provides certain factors for the court to use when making its determination, including: the extent to which the statement is confirmed; the specificity of the alleged statement; the informant's general character and criminal record; whether the informant has given reliable information to authorities in the past; and the presence or absence of any relationship between the accused and the informant. This act provides that the court shall exclude the informant's testimony if the prosecuting attorney fails to prove the reliability of such testimony by a preponderance of the evidence. This act requires that the court provide jury instructions to assess the informant's testimony with greater scrutiny and relay details of any facts the jury should consider such as criminal history and any benefits offered or expected in exchange for the testimony. Under the provisions of this act, a prosecuting attorney's failure to provide the required disclosures regarding the use of an informant shall be considered a due process violation. In a case where the prosecuting attorney has made such violation, the defendant is entitled to a new trial or vacation of the conviction, as well as the right to seek compensation in a civil action from non-immune persons relating to the wrongful conviction. This act provides that if it is determined that an informant made false testimony at a trial, the prosecuting attorney where the trial occurred can charge and prosecute the informant with perjury. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1459 - This act establishes the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act" which provides that any federal order of protection or other federal judicial or executive order which directs the seizure of a firearm or prohibits the possession of a firearm, except as provided for in the act, shall not be enforced in this state. Additionally, no public agency, political subdivision, or law enforcement agency shall receive any federal funding for the purpose of enforcing any federal acts or judicial orders confiscating any firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition. Any political subdivision or law enforcement officer who violates this act shall be subject to a $50,000 penalty per occurrence. Sovereign immunity shall not be an affirmative defense. This act is identical to HB 1700 (2026), and is similar to SB 142 (2025). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1522 - This act modifies provisions relating to property taxes. PROPERTY INSPECTIONS Current law requires an assessor to perform a physical inspection of a parcel of residential real property prior to increasing the valuation of such property by more than fifteen percent. This act clarifies that the owner of such property shall have at least thirty days prior to the physical inspection to notify the assessor that the owner desires an interior inspection. Additionally, the act requires the physical inspection to be completed prior to July 1 of the reassessment year. (Section 137.115) PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS This act provides that if the common level of assessment, as defined in the act, in a subclass is lower than the individual level of assessment, as defined in the act, of any parcel in such subclass, then the individual level of assessment for such parcel shall be reduced to the common level of assessment. Such reduction shall be made upon an appeal by the taxpayer. (Section 137.132) PROPERTY TAX APPEALS Current law provides that, in any appeal in which an assessor fails to provide evidence of a physical inspection required by law, the taxpayer shall prevail as a matter of law. This act also provides that the assessor's increased assessed valuation shall be void in its entirety and the previous assessed valuation shall be applied. (Section 138.060) This act provides that if a transfer of ownership of real property occurs after January 1 of a non-reassessment year, the new owner shall be entitled to appeal the assessed value of such property directly to the State Tax Commission by no later than December 31 of such year, regardless of whether the previous owner appealed the value of the property during the previous reassessment year. (Section 138.135) Current law authorizes any first class charter county or city not within a county to require, by ordinance or charter, the reimbursement of just and reasonable appraisal costs, attorney fees, and court costs resulting from hearings before the State Tax Commission for taxpayer appeals of property assessments. This act requires such reimbursements. This act also increases the maximum amount of fees to be reimbursed from $1,000 to $5,000 for residential property appeals, and from $4,000 to $5,000 for utility, industrial railroad, or other subclass three property appeals. (Section 138.434) PROTESTED PROPERTY TAXES Current law requires a taxpayer to file a written protest of property taxes with the collector at the same time such taxpayer makes full payment of such taxes. This act repeals such requirement. This act also provides that the interest due to a taxpayer whose protested taxes were distributed to a taxing authority shall be calculated from the date that the protested taxes were distributed to the taxing authority through the date of the refund. Any taxpayer determined by a circuit court or the State Tax Commission to be entitled to a refund of property taxes shall receive such refund from the collector within thirty days of the final determination of the refund amount by the circuit court or State Tax Commission. If such refund is not issued within thirty days, the taxpayer shall be entitled to interest on the refund as calculated under current law. (Section 139.031) This act is identical to SB 786 (2025) and SB 1001 (2024), and is substantially similar to SB 786 (2025), HB 1582 (2025), HCS/HB 2445 (2024), SS/SB 95 (2023), and SB 1108 (2022), and to provisions in SS/SCS/SB 15 (2023). JOSH NORBERG

SB 1506 - This act establishes the offense of generating, soliciting, or promoting or possessing with the intent to promote an altered sexual depiction, as defined in the act, of an identifiable person. A person commits such offense if the person: • Generates any altered sexual depiction of an identifiable person without the person's consent; • Solicits any altered sexual depiction of an identifiable person without the person's consent and knows or reasonable should know that the depiction is an altered sexual depiction; or • Willfully and maliciously promotes, or possesses with the intent to maliciously promote, any altered sexual depiction of an identifiable person without the person's consent and knows or reasonably should know that the depiction is an altered sexual depiction. A violation of this act is committed within Missouri if any conduct that is an element of the offense, or any harm to the depicted person resulting from the offense, occurs within Missouri. The offense shall be a class C felony. Each act shall constitute a separate offense. Furthermore, a disclaimer that a depicted individual did not consent to the generation or promotion of the material or that the depicted individual did not perform the actions portrayed shall not be a defense. This act additionally provides that an aggrieved person may bring a civil action against a person who generates or who, with knowledge that a visual depiction is an altered sexual depiction, willfully and maliciously promotes, or possesses with the intent to maliciously promote, any altered sexual depiction of a depicted individual without the person's consent. A person may be entitled to injunctive relief, attorney's fees and costs, and monetary damages of $10,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater. This act defines a covered platform as a website, online service, online application, or mobile application that serves the public and that primarily provides a forum for user-generated content or for which in the regular course of business the entity publishes, curates, hosts, or makes available nonconsensual altered sexual depictions. Covered platforms shall not include an information or telecommunications service, email, and certain online services, applications, or websites that consist primarily of content that is not user generated but preselected by the provider and for which any chat, comment, or interactive functionality is incidental to, directly related to, or dependent on the provision of the content. No later than December 31, 2026, covered platforms shall establish a process where an identifiable person or an authorized person for such identifiable person may notify the covered platform of an altered sexual depiction published on the covered platform. The identifiable person or authorized person may submit a written request, as provided in the act, that the covered platform remove such altered sexual depiction. No later than 48 hours after receiving such request, a covered platform shall remove the altered sexual depiction and make reasonable efforts to identify and remove any known identical copies of such altered sexual depiction. Additionally, covered platforms shall provide a notice of the notification and removal process. Failure to comply with the notice and removal requirements of this act shall be an unlawful practice under Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. However, a covered platform shall not be liable for any claim based on the covered platform's good faith removal of or access to the nonconsensual altered sexual depiction based on facts or circumstances from which the publishing of an altered sexual depiction is apparent. The criminal and civil liability shall not apply to the following: • Providers of an interactive computer service, information service, or communications service that provides the transmission, storage, or caching of other's electronic communications or messages; • Providers of another related telecommunications or commercial mobile radio service; • Providers of content provided by another person; • Law enforcement officers or any local, state, federal, or military law enforcement agencies engaged in the performance of duties as a law enforcement officer or the duties of the law enforcement agency; • Persons reporting unlawful activity; or • Persons participating in hearings, trials, or other legal proceedings. This act is substantially similar to HB 2361 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1475 - This act provides that no county or other political subdivision shall relinquish the authority to collect delinquent taxes or assessments to any other entity. (Section 137.085) Current law provides that a property is delinquent on January 1 following the tax due date, and that a county shall commence proceedings for the satisfaction of the lien within three years if proceeding with an administrative tax sale under chapter 140, or after a two year period of delinquency if proceeding with judicial foreclosure under chapter 141. This act provides that a property shall not be subject to sale or judicial foreclosure until the expiration of a seven year period following delinquency unless the assessed value of the property is less than the lien amount. (Sections 140.160 and 141.260) Current law authorizes the Director of Revenue to contract with collection agencies for the collection of delinquent state taxes. This act provides that neither the Director nor any other county official shall contract with a collection agency for the collection of delinquent property taxes. (Section 140.850) This act contains an emergency clause. JOSH NORBERG

SB 1469 - This act requires that the fee for the professional component of clinical pathology services shall be paid by MO HealthNet for professional services provided by a hospital-based pathologist for inpatient clinical pathology services rendered to MO HealthNet patients. The reimbursement shall be set at thirty percent of the approved outpatient simplified fee schedule based on Medicare's clinical laboratory fee schedule, as described in the act. This act is identical to a provision in SB 841 (2026), HB 1599 (2025), HCS/SB 94 (2025), and SCS/HCS/HB 943 (2025). SARAH HASKINS

SJR 112 - Current constitutional provisions require the General Assembly to impose a property tax of not less than $0.005 or more than $0.03 per $100 assessed valuation for the Blind Pension Fund. This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, repeals such requirement and instead requires the General Assembly to provide for an annual appropriation in an amount not less than the amount appropriated to such fund for the 2027 fiscal year. This amendment is identical to HJR 147 (2026). JOSH NORBERG

SJR 113 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the assessed value of residential real property shall be the most recent assessment. For all reassessments of such residential real property, the assessed value shall not increase by more than the increase in the Consumer Price Index or by 4%, whichever is less, provided that the assessed value shall reflect the value added to the property as a result of new construction or improvements, as described in the act. This amendment is identical to HJR 112 (2026), is substantially similar to SJR 34 (2025), SJR 50 (2025), SJR 54 (2025), HCS/HJR 4 (2025), HCS#2/HJR 78 (2024), HJR 86 (2025), HJR 89 (2025), and SJR 90 (2024), and is similar to HJR 85 (2024), HJR 120 (2024), HJR 184 (2024). JOSH NORBERG

SB 1433 - This act authorizes a sales tax exemption for the sale of all diabetic supplies, as defined in the act. JOSH NORBERG

SB 1429 - Current law requires withholding tax returns to be submitted electronically by employers with at least two hundred fifty employees. Beginning January 1, 2026, this act requires such electronic returns for employers with an amount of employees that meets or exceeds the threshold provided in federal law. JOSH NORBERG

SB 1414 - The act authorizes the conveyance of certain state property located in Cole County to the City of Jefferson. JULIA SHEVELEVA

SB 1450 - This act provides that the State Legal Expense Fund shall be used to pay claims or final judgments against any entity, including its members, officers, or employees, that provides foster care case management services or residential services under a contract with the state. This act is identical to SB 844 (2026) and is similar to HCS/HB 2610 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1518 - This act repeals currently enumerated qualifications for employment as a deputy boiler inspector. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1512 - This act creates police protection districts which shall be political subdivisions organized and empowered to supply protection to people and property from crimes and hazards, to render first aid for the purpose of saving lives, and to give assistance in the event of an accident or emergency. The police protection district must consist of contiguous tracts or parcels of property containing all or parts of one county and may include, in whole but not in part, any city, town, or village. (Section 85.1000) Once the district is incorporated, as provided in the act, the voters within the boundaries of the district shall hold an election to select three or five people as the first board of directors of the police protection district. No employee of any police protection district shall serve as a member of any police protection district board while employed by the district. Each board member shall complete training approved by the Department of Public Safety. The board shall elect members to be the chair, secretary, and treasurer and shall hold meetings as provided in the act. Board elections shall be held every two years and any vacancies shall be filled as provided in the act. (Sections 85.1010 to 85.1115) Additionally, a district director shall be a resident and voter of the district. The director shall not hold any other lucrative employment with the state or a political subdivision while serving as district director. (Sections 85.1005 and 85.1065) The board shall have the authority to provide police protection by entering into contracts, borrowing money and incurring indebtedness, acquiring and maintaining property, hiring employees, issuing bonds, and other such powers as provided in the act. The board shall also have the power and authority to order the levy and collection of taxes and raise the amount required by the district to annually supply funds for paying the expenses and operation of the district as provided in the act. Additionally, a board of directors for an emergency dispatching service shall be established and an additional tax of not more than 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation may be levied to fund such emergency dispatching service. (Sections 85.1120 to 85.1160) This act provides that police protection districts may contract to provide police protection to municipalities that do not operate a police department. (Section 85.1135) This act requires certain personnel and equipment for central police and emergency dispatching centers in order to qualify for funds collected by the district. Such requirements include: • Two separate transmitters capable of working on all police radio frequencies; • Duo-multichannel recording equipment; • A minimum of three trunk telephone lines reserved for emergency calls only; • A chief dispatcher to be in charge of operations; • A sufficient number of senior and assistant dispatchers to provide 24-hour attendance at the dispatching center; • An alarm system for dispatching center and radio equipment that can operate independently; and • Radio equipment for all police and emergency vehicles. (Section 85.1165) This act provides that the boundaries of any police protection district may be changed if 25% of the number of voters who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election in the area to be annexed file a petition with the board which shall describe the specific property to be included in the district. The board of directors of the district shall decide if the boundary change is in the best interest of the district. The county clerk shall record the final order of the boundary change as provided in the act. Finally, if a police protection district is adopted, then any municipal police department contained within such district shall be dissolved. (Sections 85.1195 to 85.1215) A police protection district may also be dissolved whenever a petition signed by not less than 25% of the voters who cast votes at the last election for the district director is filed with the county clerk. If the county clerk finds that a sufficient number of signatures have been gathered for the district to be dissolved, the clerk shall make an order and provide for the submission of the proposition to dissolve the district to a vote of the voters of the district. (Sections 85.1245 to 85.1265) Two or more police protection districts may consolidate with each other if the districts have one or more common boundaries or if they are located in the same county, in whole or in part. After a majority vote of the board of directors for each district is taken, a consolidation plan may be adopted. The proposition shall be submitted to the voters of the districts as provided in the act. (Sections 85.1270 to 85.1280) This act provides that all powers exercised by the board of directors of a police protection district may be exercised by the voters of that district by initiative petition. (Sections 85.1285 to 85.1300) Additionally, police protection districts in certain counties shall be audited by the State Auditor biennially. (Section 85.1355) Any member of a police protection district board shall be subject to recall from office by the registered voters of the district. A notice of recall shall be served personally to the board member sought to be recalled. The petition for recall shall be submitted to the election authority as provided in the act. (Sections 85.1365 to 85.1395) Finally, any board of directors of a police protection district administering its own retirement or other benefits-related plan shall administer such plan by a separate 5 member pension board of trustees made up of certain members as provided in the act. (Section 85.1400) This act is identical to SB 379 (2025), SB 889 (2024), SB 325 (2023), and SB 859 (2022) and substantially similar to SB 277 (2021). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1422 - This act renames the "Missouri Wine and Grape Board" to the "Missouri Wine, Grape, and Spirits Board". The act modifies the membership requirements and duties of the Board, as described in the act. The act provides that moneys credited to both the Agriculture Business Development Fund and the Missouri Wine and Grape Fund shall be used for the employment of experts in the field of distillation as deemed necessary. Beginning August 28, 2026, all moneys collected by the Board shall be deposited into the Missouri Wine and Grape Fund. JULIA SHEVELEVA

SB 1416 - Current law prohibits certain uses of electronic communication devices while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle on any highway or property open to the public for vehicular traffic in this state, and preempts the entire field of regulating the use of electronic communication devices by the operators of commercial and noncommercial motor vehicles. This act modifies such preemption provision by allowing local ordinances and regulations that do not conflict with provisions of state law. This act is identical to HS/HCS/HBs 3068 & 3049 (2026), HCS/HB 2742 (2026), and HB 2055 (2026). TAYLOR MIDDLETON

SB 1488 - This act repeals the sections of law which were declared unconstitutional in United States v. Missouri, and replaces them with new sections. This act creates the "Second Amendment Preservation Act", and list various declarations of the Missouri General Assembly regarding the right of citizens to bear arms. Under this act, public officers and employees of the state or any political subdivision shall not knowingly violate a law-abiding citizen's legal rights regarding firearms. This act shall not prevent any Missouri official from accepting or rendering aid to federal officials nor shall it prevent law enforcement from working on federal task forces. Any law enforcement officer who acts knowingly to deprive a law-abiding citizen of Missouri of certain constitutional rights to bear arms while acting under any state or federal law shall be investigated by the political subdivision or law enforcement agency that employs them. A law enforcement officer that is investigated under this provision is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. Where an individual has acted in violation of this act, the Attorney General or prosecuting attorney has standing to pursue an action for injunctive or other equitable relief in the circuit court of the county in which the action allegedly occurred. Finally, it shall not be a violation of this act to provide material aid to federal authorities in any case in which there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the suspect engaged in criminal conduct. This act is similar to SB 955 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1449 - This act provides that an enrollee's health benefit plan shall not deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid drug, require the enrollee to try an opioid drug before covering the nonopioid prescription drug, or require a higher level of cost-sharing for a nonopioid prescription drug than for an opioid drug. This act shall apply to health benefit plans delivered, issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027. This act is similar to SCS/SB 841 (2026), SB 902 (2026), HCS/SB 1019 (2026), SB 1350 (2026), SB 158 (2025), HCS/HB 2372 (2026), HCS/HBs 2642, 2296, 1966 & 1680 (2026), HB 804 (2025), and HCS/SS/SB 7 (2025). TAYLOR MIDDLETON

SB 1441 - This act provides that the Department of Revenue shall retain vehicle odometer information for certain vehicles that are "model year 2013 or newer" rather than "ten years of age or less" with regard to the requirement of such vehicles to have motor vehicle safety inspections. This act is identical to HB 2743 (2026) and HB 2036 (2026), and substantially similar to provisions in HB 2655 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 247 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 799, 334, 424 & 1069 (2025), HB 969 (2025), HCS/HB 378 (2025), and HB 424 (2025). TAYLOR MIDDLETON

SB 1413 - Currently, the fee that a private attorney retained by the state is entitled to receive is limited based on a percentage of the amount that is recovered. Current law also provides that the total fee payable to all retained private attorneys in any matter that is the subject of a contingency fee contract shall not exceed $10 million. Furthermore, contingency fees shall only be payable from moneys received from judgments or settlement agreements and shall be based on any amount attributable to a fine or civil penalty. This act repeals these provisions. This act is identical to SB 600 (2023). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1552 - Under the act, an electrical corporation shall reimburse a customer for any loss resulting from an electric service interruption lasting for more than 48 hours. An electrical corporation shall create a loss recovery form and make it available on its website. If the loss is greater than $200, an electric customer shall submit receipts for the loss with the form to the electrical corporation before getting reimbursed. The Public Service Commission shall require electrical corporations to maintain records of each instance an electric transmission falls below 50% of the standard voltage or whenever an electric service interruption affects more than 10 customers. The record shall not include disconnection of service to customers for good cause. Contents of the record are described in the act. Copies of the record shall be made public on the electrical corporations's website. The act is substantially similar SB 286 (2025) and SB 1204 (2024). JULIA SHEVELEVA

SB 1465 - This act authorizes Bollinger County to impose a sales tax at a rate not to exceed 1% for the purpose of providing funding for county facilities including, but not limited to, the operation and maintenance of county facilities. This act is identical to HB 2140 (2026). JOSH NORBERG

SB 1418 - This act provides that any official court record pertaining to a case in which a person is charged with a felony, class A misdemeanor, violation for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, offense that can be enhanced to a class A misdemeanor or higher for subsequent violations, sexual offense, and any ordinance violation shall not be made available to a member of the public through a statewide court automation system. However, the official record may be made available through any statewide court automation system to members of the public physically at the courthouse where the official court record is a record for that court. Additionally, such records shall be available in such automation system if the person accessing such record is court personnel, law enforcement agencies, judges, prosecutors, a defendant's attorney, or any other person needing access to such record if deemed necessary by the court. This act is identical to SB 442 (2025), SB 1230 (2024), and SB 298 (2023) and is substantially similar to HB 2033 (2022), HB 146 (2021), and HCS/HB 1686 (2020), and is similar to HB 1221 (2019). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1479 - Currently, a state agency may incorporate by reference certain federal or nationally or state-recognized rules, regulations, standards, and guidelines in rules promulgated by the state agency. This act provides that Medicaid regulations promulgated by a state agency may incorporate by reference Medicaid fee schedules, later additions to Medicaid reimbursement methodologies, and later additions to federal rules and regulations needed to administer the Missouri Medicaid program. JIM ERTLE

SB 1538 - This act modifies provisions relating to certain convention and visitors commissions. REGIONAL CONVENTION AND VISITORS COMMISSION Current law authorizes the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County to establish a Regional Convention and Visitors Commission, to consist of eleven members to be appointed by the chief executives of the city and county. This act changes the composition of the Commission to fifteen members, with five to be appointed by the Governor, five to be appointed by the chief executive of the city, and five to be appointed by the chief executive of the county, as described in the act. (Section 67.601) Current law empowers the Commission to lease and sublease an existing convention center for a period not to exceed forty years. This act repeals such forty year limit. The act also give additional powers to the Commission, including 1) to exercise all powers, duties, rights, authorities, and obligations of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, 2) to develop, devise, promote, fund, or contribute to the support and development of sports and entertainment attractions, 3) to levy and collect special assessments and taxes, and 4) to levy sales taxes as provided in the act. (Section 67.607) The act authorizes the Commission to levy one or more special assessments against real property withing the boundaries of the convention district, as defined in the act, upon receipt of a petition signed by owners of real property collectively owning more than fifty percent of the assessed value within the district and more than fifty percent per capita of the owners of all real property within the district. The method of allocating special assessments shall be specified in the petition, and the Commission may establish different classes of property within the district for the purpose of special assessments. A special assessment shall constitute a perpetual lien against the property, and the county collector may add the special assessment to the real property tax bill for the property. Any delinquent payment of a special assessment may be collected as provided for delinquent property tax payments, including the sale of delinquent property to satisfy the lien. The Commission may additionally impose a sales tax on all sales made within the district, provided the rate shall not exceed 2%. The Commission shall submit such sales tax to the qualified voters of the district by mail-in ballot. (Section 67.618) ST. LOUIS REGIONAL CONVENTION AND SPORTS COMPLEX AUTHORITY Current law authorizes the establishment of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, which shall consist of eleven members. Beginning August 28, 2026, this act provides that the existing terms of such commissioners shall terminate, and that the members of the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission shall become the new commissioners of the Authority. (Section 67.652) Current law empowers the Authority to construct multi-purpose stadiums, provided that any such stadium is designed and constructed to meet National Football League franchise standards and be located adjacent to an existing convention facility. This act repeals such design requirement. (Section 67.653) Current law requires all funds deposited in the County Convention and Recreation Trust Fund to be disbursed for the payment of the county's share of any rent, fees, or charges payable pursuant to any contract entered into pursuant to current law. This act provides that any remaining moneys shall be annually disbursed to the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission for the Commission's general revenue purposes. (Section 67.657) LAND CLEARANCE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Current law authorizes the state to expend funds for the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of a land clearance project or projects. This act extends such authority to expending funds for such projects located within any area, property, or facility owned, managed, leased, maintained, or operated by the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission. Current law limits any state appropriation for such projects to a period of twenty years. This act provides that any agreement entered into between August 28, 2021, and August 28, 2028, shall not exceed thirty years, and provides that any appropriation for a Regional Convention and Visitors Commission project shall not exceed $4 million per fiscal year, and no such appropriation shall be made prior to July 1, 2027, for any tourism infrastructure facilities, as defined in the act, located in any convention district. JOSH NORBERG

SB 1453 - Currently, the establishment of a physician-patient relationship for purposes of telehealth shall include an interview and a physical examination. Under this act, an evaluation is required, but a physical examination shall be required only if needed to meet the standard of care. Current law prohibits the use of an internet or telephone questionnaire completed by a patient from constituting an acceptable medical interview for the provision of treatment by telehealth. This act permits such questionnaires if the information provided is sufficient as though the medical evaluation was performed in person and has been reviewed by the treating health care professional. Any provider that uses a questionnaire to establish a physician-patient relationship through telemedicine shall be employed or contracted with a business entity that is licensed to provide health care in this state. A health care provider using a medical evaluation questionnaire completed by a patient over the internet or telephone shall provide a written report to the patient's primary health care provider within 14 days of evaluation regarding the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Additionally, current law requires a physician-patient relationship for purposes of telehealth to include a sufficient dialogue with the patient regarding treatment. This act changes "dialogue" to "exchange" with the patient regarding treatment. Finally, current law prohibits a health care provider from prescribing any drug, controlled substance, or other treatment to a patient based solely on an internet request or questionnaire. Under this act, a health care provider shall not prescribe any drug, controlled substance, or other treatment to a patient in the absence of a proper provider-patient relationship. Medical records of any drug, controlled substance, or treatment prescribed to a patient through telemedicine shall be collected, stored, and maintained, in compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act is substantially similar to HCS/HB 710 (2025) and similar to SB 108 (2025), SB 851 (2024), SCS/SB 418 (2023), and HB 710 (2023). SARAH HASKINS