Missouri Senate

CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 835 & 1111 - This act modifies provisions relating to court procedures. INSURER'S LEGAL TITLE TO CLAIM PAID AND ASSIGNMENT OF POST-LOSS INSURANCE BENEFIT (SECTION 379.135) Upon payment by an insurer of all or any part of a claimant's property damage claim, legal title to the portion of the claim paid shall vest in the insurer to the extent of such payment. No assignment or other action by the claimant shall be required for the insurer to enforce its legal title. The claimant shall retain legal title only to that portion of the property damage claim not paid by the insurer. This act prohibits assignment of post-loss benefits under any policy of insurance covering property, including, but not limited to, any right of action against the insurer or any proceeds acquired from the insurer. A person shall not solicit or accept an assignment, in whole or in part, of any post-loss insurance benefit for property damage under a contract of insurance. Any agreement to assign post-loss benefits is null and void. The provisions of this act shall not apply to an assignment, transfer, pledge, or conveyance granted to a financial institution, mortgagee, lienholder, or a subsequent purchaser of the property. A violation of this act shall be considered a level two insurance violation. This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/HB 3328 (2026) and is similar to a provision in SCS/SB 1543 (2026) and in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/HB 2636 (2026). STATEWIDE COURT AUTOMATION (SECTION 476.055) This act modifies provisions of law related to the Statewide Court Automation Committee ("Committee"). Specifically, this act provides that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri, the Executive Director of the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, and the Director of the Missouri State Public Defender System shall now serve as ex-officio members. For the House and Senate members on the Committee, one shall be a member of the majority party and one shall be a member of the minority party. Furthermore, the appointed members of the Committee shall serve for terms of two years or until their successors are appointed. Members of the Committee may also be reimbursed from the Statewide Court Automation Fund for actual expenses related to the duties of the Committee. Furthermore, this act provides that the Committee shall maintain, rather than implement, a statewide court automation system. This act also describes "confidential judicial record" for purposes of the offenses related to releasing information from a confidential judicial record as those provided by Missouri Supreme Court Rules. Currently, the Committee is required to file a report on the progress of the statewide court automation system with the chairs of certain House and Senate Committees on the February 1st, May 1st, August 1st, and November 1st of each year. Instead, this act provides that the report shall be filed electronically on January 15th of each year. Lastly, this act removes the expiration of the Committee upon completion of its duties. These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/SB 945 (2026), in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), and in HCS/HB 3289 (2026). TREATMENT COURTS (SECTION 478.003) This act provides that in each treatment court division without a treatment court administrator or a treatment court commissioner, the court shall employ a treatment court administrator, subject to appropriations or other funds available. If other funds available are used, the source shall reimburse the state for the costs of the salary and benefits of the administrator. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 945 (2026), in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), and in HCS/HB 3289 (2026) and is similar to HB 3468 (2026). 25TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (MARIES, PHELPS, PULASKI & TEXAS) - CIRCUIT JUDGES (SECTION 478.700) This act codifies three circuit judges, including the circuit judge approved in the FY2026 appropriation and appointed by the Governor in 2026, in the 25th Judicial Circuit, consisting of the counties of Maries, Phelps, Pulaski & Texas. The circuit judge appointed in 2026 shall serve until January 1, 2029, and then the position shall be filled by an election of a four year term in 2028 and then a full six year term in 2032 and thereafter. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 945 (2026), in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), and HB 3229 (2026). ST. LOUIS CITY CIVIL CASE FILING FEE (SECTION 488.426) Currently, any circuit court may collect a civil case filing surcharge of an amount not to exceed $15 for the maintenance of a law library, the county's or circuit's family services and justice fund, or courtroom renovation and technology enhancement. If the circuit court reimburses the state for salaries of family court commissioners or is the circuit court in Jackson County, the surcharge may be up to $20. This act provides that the circuit court in the City of St. Louis may charge a filing surcharge up to $20. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 945 (2026), in the perfected SS#2/SCS/SB 1023 (2026), in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), in SCS/SB 1468 (2026), in SCS/HB 3000 (2026), SB 18 (2025), in HCS/HB 83 (2025), in SCS/HCS/HB 176 (2025), in SB 352 (2025), in SCS/HCS/HB 615 (2025), SB 800 (2025), in HB 1512 (2024), and in SCS/HCS/HB 2064 & HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), and is substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 897 (2024), SB 1023 (2024), CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 72 (2023), SB 252 (2023), HB 787 (2023), in HCS/HB 986 (2023), in the perfected HCS/HBs 994, 52 & 984 (2023), SB 1209 (2022), HB 1963 (2022), HB 143 (2021), HB 1554 (2020), HB 1224 (2019), in the perfected HCS/HB 1083 (2019), HB 1891 (2018), SB 288 (2017), HB 391 (2017), and SB 812 (2016). ATTACHMENT, EXECUTION, AND GARNISHMENTS (SECTIONS 513.380 TO 525.235) This act modifies provisions relating to attachment, execution, and garnishments. Under current law, whenever an execution against the property of any judgment debtor shall be returned unsatisfied, within five years of the return, the judgment creditor may be entitled to an order by the court rendering such judgment, requiring the judgment debtor to undergo an examination on the ability and means to satisfy the judgment, and in the case of neglect or refusal, issuing a writ of attachment and punishing the judgment debtor for contempt. This act instead provides a judgment creditor shall, upon motion made at any time before the judgment is satisfied of record and presumed paid, be entitled to such orders. Additionally, under current law, a judgment debtor may be granted immunity from prosecution by any prosecuting or circuit attorney for statements made at a judgment debtor's examination. This act instead provides that a judgment debtor shall enjoy full use and derivative immunity and that no testimony in an examination may be used against a witness, except in cases of perjury or for giving false statements. This act changes the maximum value, adjusted annually for inflation, of certain items that are exempt from attachment and execution, including household items, wedding rings and other jewelry, motor vehicles, and mobile homes. This act also modifies the homestead exemption from $15,000 to the aggregate value of $40,000. This act provides that the maximum value for the property that is exempted from attachment and execution and the amount of a homestead exemption shall be adjusted by the Revisor of Statutes every three years beginning April 1, 2029. This act outlines orders of garnishment issued for the purpose of attaching to account funds held by a financial institution, as such term is defined in the act. Such orders shall attach on the date of service, provided that the effective date of service is a banking day and made prior to the business cutoff time, in which case it shall attach the next business day. If an account receives electronic deposits for exempted funds, the attachment date shall be the date and banking day that the financial institution applies for the look-back analysis. Additionally, where there are two or more accounts, the amount may be withheld from any of the accounts belonging to the judgment debtor and attachment dates between the accounts may be different depending on the look-back analysis. If the account is held in joint tenancy with an individual not subject to the order of garnishment, the entire amount shall be withheld and the garnishee shall provide a copy of the order of garnishment to each account holder within two business days. Within 30 days of the date of the attachment of the garnishment, each account holder may file an objection or request of exemption of all or a portion of the account with the issuing court and serve their objection or request on the garnishor and the garnishee. If such objection or request is not resolved within 30 days of the timely filing of the objection or request of exemption, the garnishee may pay the garnished funds to the circuit court to be held for pending resolution. The return date for orders of garnishment shall not be less than 30 days from the effective date of service. This act also provides certain information to be included in orders of garnishment for funds held by financial institutions. No party shall seek a garnishment of account funds held by a financial institution unless there is a good-faith belief that the party to be served with the garnishment has, or will have, account assets of the judgment debtor. No more than one garnishment for the same claim and against the same judgment debtor shall be issued within any 30-day period, unless exempted by court order as detailed in the act. Furthermore, a financial institution does not have a duty to investigate or assert the defenses of a judgment debtor. A financial institution served with an order of garnishment and interrogatories shall answer within 20 days and shall release funds to the judgment debtor 60 days after an answer is submitted or sooner if required under an order to pay or paid into the court. A financial institution is not required to respond to interrogatories not related to account funds. This act does not apply to wage garnishments or garnishments of property other than account funds. Garnishees are also not required to search for, hold, or return wages or other property. The provisions relating to orders of garnishment of account funds held by financial institutions shall be implemented and administered in accordance with rules of the Supreme Court of Missouri. A garnishee acting in good faith compliance with a facially valid order of garnishment shall not be liable to any debtor, creditor, or other person for withholding, restraining, or releasing funds in reasonable reliance upon the terms of the writ or order. A garnishee shall not be required to adjudicate competing claims to property or funds, determine the legal validity of the judgment, or investigate facts outside the information contained in the writ or the garnishee's business records. A garnishee shall be liable for damages arising from a garnishment only if the garnishee fails to follow the clear and express terms of the writ or order, such failure constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct, and actual damages are proven. A garnishee shall not be liable if correction is made within five business days after receiving written notice identifying the alleged error and the garnishee promptly releases any improperly restrained funds. However, temporarily restraining funds pending review of a claimed exemption shall not create liability if the garnishee, garnishor, and judgment debtor or other persons act as required by law. The provisions of this act relating to orders of garnishment for funds held by financial institutions shall be effective on January 1, 2028, while the provisions of this act relating to the attachment and execution are effective January 1, 2027. These provisions are identical to the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/HCS/HB 1870 (2026) and are similar to HB 275 (2025) and HB 1657 (2024). UNIFORM PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION ACT (SECTION 537.529 AND THE REPEAL OF SECTION 537.528) This act establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act". Currently, any action against a person for conduct or speech undertaken or made in connection with a public hearing or meeting in a quasi-judicial proceeding before a tribunal or decision-making body of the state or a political subdivision thereof is subject to a special motion to dismiss, a motion for judgment on the pleadings, or motion for summary judgment and any such motion shall be considered by the court on a priority or expedited basis. This act repeals this provision and creates procedures for dismissal of causes of action asserted in a civil action based on a person's: (1) Communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (2) Communication on an issue under consideration or review in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; or (3) Exercise of the right of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assemble or petition, or the right of association, guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the Missouri Constitution, on a matter of public concern. However, this act shall not apply to a cause of action asserted: (1) Against a governmental unit, as described in the act, or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting in an official capacity; (2) By a governmental unit or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting in an official capacity to enforce a law to protect against an imminent threat to public health or safety; or (3) Against a person primarily engaged in the business of selling or leasing goods or services if the cause of action arises out of a communication related to the sale or lease of such goods or services. No later than 60 days after a party is served with a complaint, cross-claim, counterclaim, third-party claim, or other pleading that asserts a cause of action covered by this act, or at a later time upon a showing of good cause, a party may file a special motion to dismiss. The court shall hear and rule on such motion no later than 60 days after the filing of the motion, unless the court orders a later hearing to allow for limited discovery or upon good cause. However, this act provides that the court shall hear and rule on the motion for dismissal no later than 60 days after the order allowing for discovery. This act provides that all other proceedings between the moving party and the responding party in the action, including discovery and any pending hearings or motions, shall be stayed upon the filing of the special motion to dismiss. Additionally, this act provides that the court may stay, upon motion by the moving party, a hearing or motion involving another party or discovery by another party if a ruling on such hearing or motion or discovery relates to a legal or factual issue. Any stay pursuant to this act shall remain in effect until the entry of an order ruling on the special motion to dismiss and the expiration of the time to appeal the order. A moving party may appeal an order denying the special motion to dismiss in whole or in part within 21 days of such order. If a party appeals an order ruling on a special motion to dismiss, this act provides that all proceedings between all parties shall be stayed until the conclusion of the appeal. The court may allow discovery if a party shows that specific information is necessary to establish whether a party has satisfied or failed to satisfy the requirements of this act and such information is not reasonably available without discovery. Additionally, a motion for costs and expenses, voluntary dismissal, or a motion to sever shall not be stayed. During a stay, the court upon good cause may hear and rule on any motions unrelated to the special motion to dismiss and any motions seeking a special or preliminary injunction to protect against an imminent threat to public health or safety. In ruling on a special motion to dismiss, this act provides that the court shall consider the parties' pleadings, the motion, any replies and responses to the motion, and any evidence that could be considered in a ruling on a motion for summary judgment. The court shall dismiss the cause of action with prejudice if: (1) The moving party has established that the cause of action is covered by this act; (2) The responding party has failed to establish that this act does not apply to the cause of action; and (3) Either the responding party failed to establish a prima facie case as to each essential element of the cause of action, or the moving party has established that the responding party failed to state a cause of action upon which relief can be granted or that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. A voluntary dismissal without prejudice of a cause of action that is subject to a special motion to dismiss pursuant to this act shall not affect the moving party's right to obtain a ruling on the motion and seek costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, and reasonable litigation expenses. Additionally, if the moving party prevails on the motion, this act provides that such costs, fees, and expenses shall be awarded to the moving party. A voluntary dismissal with prejudice of a cause of action that is subject to a special motion to dismiss establishes that the moving party prevailed on the motion. The responding party shall be entitled to such costs, fees, and expenses if the responding party prevails on the motion and the court finds that the motion was frivolous or filed solely with the intent to delay the proceeding. Finally, this act applies to causes of action filed or asserted on or after August 28, 2026. These provisions are identical to the truly agreed to and finally passed SB 1067 (2026), provisions in SCS/SB 1468 (2026), SB 503 (2025), in SCS/HCS/HB 615 (2025), in SCS/HCS/HB 1259 (2025), and SB 1293 (2024) and are substantially similar to HB 2666 (2026), provisions in HCS/HB 83 (2025), in SCS/HCS/HB 176 (2025), in SB 352 (2025), HB 1092 (2025), in SCS/SB 897 (2024), HB 1785 (2024), in SCS/HCS/HB 2064 & HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), in CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 72 (2023), SB 432 (2023), HB 750 (2023), SB 1219 (2022), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 968 (2022), HB 2624 (2022), and HB 1151 (2021). KATIE O'BRIEN

CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 973 - The act creates and modifies provisions relating to real estate transactions. REAL ESTATE TAXES (Section 140.010 and 141.230) Current law requires a parcel located in certain counties to have unpaid taxes for a period of at least two years prior to the county satisfying such delinquent taxes through judicial foreclosure rather than through sale at auction. This act repeals such two year requirement. (Section 140.010 and 141.230) The act makes technical changes to certain other provisions relating to real estate taxes. These provisions are identical to the provisions in SCS/SB 843 (2026), the perfected SS/SCS/SB 1001(2026) and the perfected HB 2898 (2026). LAND BANKS (Sections 140.981, 140.982, 140.987, 140.994, 141.984) The act provides that a land bank agency shall not own any interest in real estate located outside the municipality or county, instead of the city as currently provided, that established the land bank. (Section 140.981) Current law provides for the appointment of county land bank directors by various agencies. This act provides that the appointment of such directors shall be appointed by the county executive pursuant to the county charter. (Section 140.982) Current law requires a land bank agency to verify that a buyer is not the original owner or relative owner of the property. This act repeals such requirement. (Section 140.987) Currently, a land bank agency shall have power to receive funds from bonds issued by the county or municipality that created the land bank agency for any of its corporate purposes. The act repeals the term "corporate" from this provision. (Section 140.994) Current law allows a land bank agency to purchase a parcel of real property only for the purpose of adding to a parcel already owned by the land bank agency. This act repeals such provision. (Section 141.984) The act makes technical changes to certain other provisions relating to land banks. These provisions are identical to the provisions in SCS/SB 843 (2026), the perfected SS/SCS/SB 1001 (2026) and the perfected perfected HB 2898 (2026). LAND TAX COLLECTION (Sections 141.330, 141.535) Currently, the collector annually may appoint one delinquent land tax clerk in each office maintained by the collector in the county. The act repeals the term "annually" from this provision. (Section 141.330) Currently, the court shall stay the sale of any tax parcel to be sold under execution of a tax foreclosure judgment, provided that the party who brought the action has paid the principal amount of all land taxes due. The act repeals the term "land", relating to land taxes, and replaces it with "delinquent". (Section 141.535) The act makes technical changes to certain other provisions relating to land tax collection. These provisions are identical to the provisions in SCS/SB 843 (2026), the perfected SS/SCS/SB 1001 (2026) and the perfected perfected HB 2898 (2026). PUBLIC SEWER DISTRICTS (Section 249.255) The act makes technical changes to a provision relating to public sewer districts. (Section 249.255) This provision is identical to the provision in SCS/SB 843 (2026), the perfected HB 2898 (2026). DISCLOSURES BY REAL ESTATE WHOLESALERS (Section 407.3600) Under the act, not less than fourteen calendar days before entering into a contract that transfers an interest in residential real property, a wholesaler, as defined in the act, acting as a grantee or a wholesaler's representative, shall provide to the property owner a written disclosure. Requirements for the disclosure are described in the act. A wholesaler acting as a grantee shall not enter into a contract that transfers an interest in residential real property until both the wholesaler and the property owner sign and date the disclosure. If the wholesaler acting as the grantee fails to make the disclosure before entering into the contract that transfers interest in the property, the owner of the property may cancel the contract at any time before the close of the escrow without penalty and the escrow agent shall disburse any earnest money paid by the wholesaler to the owner within 30 days after the cancellation. Provisions of the act shall not be modified or waived by any agreement. Any portion of an agreement executed, modified, or extended after the effective date of the act that modifies or waives provisions of the act shall be null and void. Any violation of the act shall be considered an unlawful practice under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. A party that enters into an agreement without receiving the disclosure under the act may bring a private action against a wholesaler. The Attorney General shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of the act. For any violations, the Attorney General may commence a civil action. If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court may grant relief as described in the act. These provisions are identical to the provisions in the perfected SS/SCS/SB 1001 (2026). SALE LEASEBACKS (Section 442.920) This act creates the "Missouri Residential Sale Leaseback Protection Act", which regulates sale leasebacks. A sale leaseback is defined as a transaction or series of transactions in which a seller sells residential real estate that is or was the seller's residence to another party and, as a condition of the sale, or as part of the same or a related transaction, enters into a lease or rental agreement to remain in or re-occupy the property. In any sale leaseback transaction, a buyer is required to provide the seller with certain disclosures, described in detail in the act, alerting the seller of the nature of the transaction and advising them of certain actions they may wish to take. The disclosure must be provided to the seller not less than 14 calendar days prior to the execution of any sale leaseback agreement, and the disclosure shall be signed by both the seller and the buyer concurrently with the execution of the sale leaseback agreement. A copy of the signed disclosure shall be provided to the seller within 5 days of the execution of the sale leaseback agreement. There shall be no delivery, recording, or other transfer of title from seller to buyer until 30 days after the execution of any sale leaseback agreement. Any violation of this act is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per violation. The Attorney General may bring an action to enforce the provisions of the act. Any seller harmed by a violation of the act may bring a civil action. Relief is described in the act. These provisions may not be waived or modified by agreement of any party. These provisions are identical to the provisions in the perfected SS/SCS/SB 1001 (2026) and similar to SB 1684 (2026). The act has a severability clause. JULIA SHEVELEVA

HCS/SB 1019 - This act modifies several provisions relating to health care. HOSPITAL INVESTMENTS AND SERVICE AREAS (Sections 96.192, 96.196, 206.110, and 206.158) This act modifies the investment authority of boards of trustees of municipal hospitals in third class cities and hospital district hospitals. Current law permits investment of up to 25% of funds not required for operations of the hospital or other obligations. This act permits investment of up to 50% of funds not required for operations or other obligations in a manner described in the act, with the remaining portion to be invested into any investment in which the Treasurer is allowed to invest. Under this act, municipal hospitals in third class cities may operate in areas where hospital district hospitals and county hospitals operate. Hospital district hospitals may operate in areas where municipal hospitals in third class cities and county hospitals operate. These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/SB 2372 (2026) and SB 244 (2025) and substantially similar to provisions in SS/SCS/SB 841 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026), SCS/HCS/HB 943 (2025), SCS/SB 317 (2025), and HCS/SS/SB 7 (2025). LYME DISEASE (Section 192.026) This act establishes the "Missouri Lyme Disease Eradication Act." The Department shall compile an annual report on the incidence and prevalence of Lyme disease in Missouri, as described in the act. The Department shall collaborate with public four-year institutions of higher education to integrate Lyme disease surveillance data into existing tick-borne disease monitoring programs. This act also contains a repeal of this section as truly agreed to and finally passed in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026). This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 887 (2026). SARAH HASKINS

SS/SCS/SB 890 - This act requires each state department with oversight of an administrative entity to submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing any administrative entity that has not convened a public meeting or conducted public business during the three year period ending on August 28th of such year. The act further repeals and reassigns duties for a number of administrative entities. The Division of Workforce Development within the Department of Economic Development is renamed and moved to the Office of Workforce Development within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. The Board for Certification of Interpreters is repealed and its duties assigned to the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Life Sciences Research Board is repealed and its duties assigned the Department of Economic Development. The act repeals the Missouri Quality Home Care Council is repealed as well as all duties of the Council. The act repeals the following entities: the Career Readiness Course Task Force; the Infection Control Advisory Panel; the Missouri Arthritis Advisory Board and the Arthritis Program Review Committee; the AgriMissouri Advisory Commission for Marketing Missouri Agricultural Products; the Coordinating Board for Early Childhood; the Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee; the Missouri Cybersecurity Commission; the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee; and the Commission on the Special Health, Psychological and Social Needs of Minority Older Individuals. This act is similar to SB 729 (2025). JIM ERTLE

HCS/SB 953 - The act modifies provisions relating to environmental programs within the Department of Natural Resources. HYDRANT INSPECTION PROGRAM (Section 640.144) The act makes technical changes to the provision relating to a hydrant inspection program. This provision is identical to SB 1554 (2026), HB 2703 (2026), and a provision in SCS/HB 3000 (2026). TRANSFER OF MONEYS FROM CERTAIN FUNDS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (Sections 640.220 and 643.350) Under the act, before June 30, 2027, any unexpended balance in the subaccounts of the Natural Resources Protection Fund exceeding the preceding biennium's collections shall revert to the General Revenue Fund at the end of each biennium. Beginning July 1, 2027, any unexpended balance in the subaccounts of the Natural Resources Protection Fund that exceeds the preceding biennium's collections shall not revert to the General Revenue Fund. Beginning July 1, 2027, and annually on July 1st of each succeeding year, the Commissioner of Administration shall use taxable sales reports to estimate the amount of state general revenue sales and use tax derived from electric power distribution in the immediately preceding calendar year and shall report such amount to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall transfer certain amounts from the general revenue sales as described in the act. The act repeals certain provisions relating to the transfer of funds from the Missouri Air Emission Reduction Fund. These provisions are identical to provisions in SS/SB 1033 (2026), HB 3386 (2026), SB 120 (2025) and SB 1483 (2024). CLEAN WATER COMMISSION (644.021) The act modifies membership requirements of the Clean Water Commission. The act provides that at least one member of the Commission shall be knowledgeable concerning the needs of publicly owned waste water treatment works. The act repeals a provision relating to the receipt of income during the previous two years by the members of the Commission. The Commission shall establish rules specifying when members shall exempt themselves from participating in discussions and from voting on issues before the Commission due to a potential conflict of interest. A member shall exempt him or herself from participating in discussions and from voting on any issue before the Commission including, but not limited to, permitting and enforcement actions that directly involve an entity from which the Commissioner receives or has received within the previous two years a significant portion of his or her income. These provisions are similar to SB 1009 (2026), HB 1885 (2026), and HCS/HB 488 (2025). REGULATION OF WATER CONTAMINANTS (Sections 644.051 and 644.059) The act provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate, use or maintain any water contaminant unless the person holds an operating permit, subject to the exemptions that exempt agricultural storm water discharge from permitting requirements. (Section 644.051) Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges shall be exempt from certain permitting requirements under the Missouri Clean Water Law. Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges shall not be considered unlawful, subject to certain provisions under the act. Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges from irrigated agriculture shall include certain water and snow runoff, drainage, and infiltration, as described in current law. (Section 644.059) These provisions are similar to SCS/SB 1427 (2026) and HCS/HB 3076 (2026). RIGHTS TO RETURN FLOWS (Section 644.083) Under the act, a person who has contracted for the right to store water in a reservoir owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers shall have exclusive rights to any return flows from the reservoir. The rights shall be subject to regulatory requirements imposed by the state and to the availability of unused storage capacity within the reservoir. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1397 (2026) and substantially similar to HB 2421 (2026). JULIA SHEVELEVA

SS/SB 1553 - This act modifies provisions relating to incentives for producing certain critical materials and pharmaceuticals. MANUFACTURING SALES TAX EXEMPTION Current law authorizes a sales tax exemption for energy, machinery, equipment, and materials used or consumed in the manufacturing, processing, compounding, mining, or producing of any product. This act modifies the definition of "product" to include critical materials and critical pharmaceuticals, as defined in the act. (Section 144.054) MISSOURI DEFENSE AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE ACT This act establishes the "Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act". For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act authorizes the Department of Economic Development to award tax credits to a qualified company for qualified project costs incurred by the qualified company on or after January 1, 2027, as such terms are defined in the act. No tax credit shall be authorized for any qualified company that incurs less than $5 million in qualified project costs. The amount of tax credits shall be equal to 20% of qualified project costs for qualified companies that incur at least $5 million but fewer than $15 million in qualified project costs, and 25% of qualified project costs for qualified companies that incur at least $15 million in qualified project costs. Qualified project costs are those costs incurred by a qualified company for the construction, expansion, or conversion of facilities and the acquisition of equipment for the production of critical materials or critical pharmaceuticals, as such terms are defined in the act. Qualified project costs shall not include any costs incurred by a qualified company utilizing a contractor unless such contractor is selected through an open bidding process, is headquartered in Missouri, has at least 85% of its workforce residing in Missouri, and maintains an existing U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program. Tax credits authorized by the act shall not be refundable, but may be carried forward for ten subsequent tax years or until the full amount of the tax credit is redeemed, whichever occurs first. The tax credits may also be transferred, sold, or otherwise assigned. The cumulative amount of tax credits that may be authorized in any fiscal year shall not exceed $40 million. A qualified company seeking tax credits under the act shall submit a notice of intent to the Department, and shall enter into a written agreement specifying the types and amounts of critical materials and critical pharmaceuticals that will be produced or processed, the estimated amount of capital investment and number of new jobs to be created at the project facility, clawback provisions, and other provisions the Department requires. This act also establishes the "Grants for Independence from Foreign Influence Fund", which shall consist of at least $10 million in appropriated moneys. The fund shall be used by the Department of Economic Development to provide grants to qualified companies in an amount not to exceed $500,000. Grant funds shall be administered by the Missouri Development Finance Board as the third-party administrator, and shall be used solely for qualified project costs incurred before the completion of the project facility. This act shall sunset on December 31, 2036, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. This act is substantially similar to SB 1406 (2026), SB 537 (2025), HB 1511 (2025), SB 1360 (2024), and HB 1834 (2024), and to a provision in HCS/HB 1935 (2024). JOSH NORBERG

SS/SB 834 - This act creates new provisions relating to mortgage modifications. MISSOURI RESIDENTIAL SALE LEASEBACK PROTECTION ACT (Section 442.920) The act creates the "Missouri Residential Sale Leaseback Protection" act, which regulates sale leasebacks. A sale leaseback is defined as a transaction or series of transactions in which a seller sells residential real estate that is or was the seller's residence to another party and, as a condition of the sale, or as part of the same or a related transaction, enters into a lease or rental agreement to remain in or re-occupy the property. In any sale leaseback transaction, a buyer is required to provide the seller with certain disclosures, described in detail in the act, alerting the seller of the nature of the transaction and advising them of certain actions they may wish to take. The disclosure must be provided to the seller not more than 10 days and not less than 3 business days before the execution of any sale leaseback agreement, and the disclosure shall be signed by both the seller and the buyer concurrently with the execution of the sale leaseback agreement. Violation of this act is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 per violation. The Attorney General is permitted to enforce this act by bringing a cause of action seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and restitution. A seller is also permitted to bring a civil action if harmed by a violation of this act. A seller may recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $10,000, attorneys' fees and costs, and any equitable or injunctive relief. This act may not be waived or modified by agreement of any party. These provisions are identical to provisions in the perfected SS/SB 973 (2026) and substantially similar to SB 1684 (2026). UNIFORM MORTGAGE MODIFICATION ACT (Sections 443.920 to 443.925) The act creates the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, establishing new procedures with respect to modifications of mortgages. The act provides that, for any mortgage modification, as that term is defined in the act, all of the following apply: • The mortgage continues to secure the obligation as modified; • The priority of the mortgage is not affected by the modification; • The mortgage retains its priority regardless of whether a record of the mortgage modification is recorded in the public land records; and • The modification is not considered a novation. This act supercedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, as permitted by that Act, except as otherwise provided in this act. This provision contains various exceptions. SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 938 - Under the act, a user fee of six dollars, instead of four dollars as currently provided, shall be charged and collected by every recorder of deeds as a condition precedent to the recording of any instrument. Three dollars, instead of two dollars as currently provided, of such fee shall be retained by the recorder and deposited in the Recorder's Fund and not in county general revenue. A fee in the amount of two dollars, instead of one dollar as currently provided, shall be paid to the State Treasurer and credited to the "Missouri Land Survey Fund" for purposes of land surveying. The Department of Agriculture shall establish by rule the fees necessary to reflect the costs associated with the production or reproduction of maps, plats, reports, studies, and records related to land surveys. JULIA SHEVELEVA

SB 1408 - Currently, the maximum speed limit on rural interstates and freeways of this state is seventy miles per hour. This act increases the maximum speed limit on such roads to seventy-five miles per hour. TAYLOR MIDDLETON

HCS/SB 1544 - This act modifies provisions relating to state designations. This act designates the month of January as "Blood Donor Awareness Month". This act designates April twenty-second each year as "Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day". This act designates April twenty-seventh as "Ulysses S. Grant Day". This act designates November twenty-fourth each years as "Frankie Muse Freeman Day". This act designates the last full week of April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week". This act designates the first full week in September each year as "June's Week" and "Rare Pediatric Disease Week". This act designates March twenty-sixth of each year as "Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)/Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) Awareness Day". This act designates April fifth each year as "Racquetball Day". This act designates April thirtieth each year as "William Lacy Clay Sr. Day". This act designates May tenth each year as "Missouri River Runner Day". This act designates June twenty-eighth each year as "Eliot and Muriel Battle Day". This act designates the smooth chanterelle, scientifically known as Cantharellus lateritius, as the official mushroom of the state of Missouri. This act designates the city of Dexter as the official "Rib City" of the state of Missouri. This act designates the Missouri Military Academy in the city of Mexico, Missouri as the official military academy of the state of Missouri. This act designates the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in the city of Marshfield as the official state cherry blossom festival for the state of Missouri. This act designates the city of Kansas City as the official "Barbecue Capital" of the state of Missouri. This act designates the city of Belle as the official "Cowbell Capital" of the state of Missouri. This act designates that the city of Bland shall be officially known as "The Silver City of the Rock Island Trail" for the state of Missouri. If the Kansas City Chiefs relocate outside of this state, the St. Louis Battlehawks shall be the official professional football team of the state of Missouri. This act designates the "James Thompson Highway" in Ralls County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations. This act designates the "Carl G Koester Memorial Highway in St. Francois County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "Army SSG Salvatore Palazzolo Memorial Bridge in St. Louis County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "WWII Robert Earl Sauls Memorial Highway" in Jackson County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations. This act designates the "Captain Vernon Collett Memorial Highway" in Johnson County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "Dr Tommy Macdonnell Memorial Bridge in Webster County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "Dr Scott Hall Memorial Highway" in Harrison County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donation. This act designates the "Jerrad Bennett Memorial Bridge" in Howell County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donation. This act designates the "Firefighter Paramedic Graham J Hoffman Memorial Highway" in Platte County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "PVT William W Smith Memorial Bridge" in Putnam County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "CPL Vernon D Jobe Memorial Bridge" in Sullivan County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "PVT Charles A Paxton Memorial Bridge" in Sullivan County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "Mayor Mary Louise Carter Highway" in St. Louis County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations. This act designates the "Army PFC Gary Prather Memorial Highway" in Jefferson County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "Emmett Kelly Sr Memorial Highway" in Texas County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations. This act designates the "Police Chief Richard A Hughes Memorial Highway" in Pike County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "Fallen Veterans POW/MIA Highway" in Jefferson County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation. This act designates the "Missouri Rock Island Trail Community" for municipalities located along the Rock Island Trail corridor that promote outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, and economic development. The city of Bland and the city of Belle are designated as Missouri Rock Island Trail communities. Additional municipalities located along the Rock Island Trail corridor may be designated as Missouri Rock Island Trail Communities by act of the General Assembly. Provisions in this act are substantially similar to the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/SCS/HS/HB 2576 (2026), (2026), and identical to HB 2372 (2026), HB 2963 (2026), SB 1328 (2026), HB 3366 (2026), HB 2213 (2026), HB 2796 (2026), SB 1613 (2026), SB 841 (2026), HB 1756 (2026), HB 1982 (2026), HB 3074 (2026), HB 3165 (2026), HB 3216 (2026), HB 3529 (2026), HB 1960 (2026), HB 1651 (2026), HB 2307 (2026), HB 2290 (2026), HB 3264 (2026), HB 3287 (2026), HB 3420 (2026), HB 2219 (2026), HB 2117 (2026), HB 1848 (2026), HB 2094 (2026), HB 2873 (2026), HB 2701 (2026), HB 2845 (2026), HB 3378 (2026), HB 3291 (2026), HB 3424 (2026), HB 3516 (2026), and HB 3408 (2026). TAYLOR MIDDLETON

SCS/SB 959 - This act establishes the Missouri GIS Advisory Council within the Information Technology Services Division of the Office of Administration. The Council is charged with assisting and advising the state in ensuring the availability, implementation, and enhancement of a statewide geospatial data infrastructure common to all jurisdictions. Appointed members of the Council shall serve two-year terms and shall serve until their successors are appointed. The duties and responsibilities of the Council are described in the act. The act prohibits the council collecting any personally identifiable information of any individual person. This act is substantially similar to SCS/SB 204 (2025), the perfected SB 1039 (2024), the introduced SB 653 (2023), and a provision in SCS/HB 475 (2023). SCOTT SVAGERA

SS/SB 1135 - This act establishes "Bentley and Mason's Law". Under this act, if a person is convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to the offense of driving while intoxicated or driving with excessive blood alcohol content, such offense caused the death of a parent or guardian, and a surviving parent or guardian files a petition to receive child maintenance from the convicted person, such person shall pay, pursuant to a court order, child maintenance to the child of the deceased parent or guardian in an amount and duration as specified in the act. If the person ordered to pay child maintenance is unable to make maintenance because such person is imprisoned or otherwise confined, then the person shall have up to one year after release from incarceration to begin payment, including any arrearage. If the surviving parent or guardian brings a civil action and obtains a judgment against the person prior to any child maintenance order under this section, no maintenance shall be ordered. If the surviving parent or guardian brings a civil action after maintenance is ordered, the maintenance order shall offset the judgement. If the surviving parent or guardian obtains a payment from any motor vehicle liability insurer relating to the death of the parent or parents, then the maintenance order shall be offset by the amount obtained from the insurer. No funds received from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund shall result in a reduction of a child maintenance order under this act. This act is substantially similar to provisions in SB 235 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 87 (2025), and HB 1958 (2024) and similar to provisions in SB 143 (2025), SB 1375 (2024), a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024), and HB 1954 (2022). SARAH HASKINS