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This week...

MO House Debates Public Safety, Pesticide Bills, Among Others

Despite a snow storm in the middle of the week, this week was the busiest week to date in terms of legislation passing out of the House and Senate.

There were several high profile issues debated in the House this week, including legislation to address labeling lawsuits associated with the weed killing herbicide glyphosate. Additionally, the House debated the crime bill containing, among other provisions, oversight of the St. Louis Police Force, a policy change that is a priority of the Kehoe Administration. The House Third Read the following bills, which now move to the Senate:

•  (Prohibits Expenditures for DEI Initiatives by State Departments) - Passed 108-50
•  (State Control of St. Louis Police) - Passed 106-47
•  (Pesticide Labeling) - Passed 85-72
•  (Decreases Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims from 5 to 2 years) - Passed 92-42

Senate Sends Seven Bills to the House

The Senate spent a substantial amount of floor time this week working through a utility reform bill that saw several Democrats rise to filibuster to slow down the debate, which eventually resulted in additional negotiation and compromise necessary to perfect the legislation. The Senate Perfected the following bills and which now await a Third Read vote:

•  (Repeals Several Sunset Provisions)
•  (Fraudulent Use of Accounts with a Financial Institution)
•  (Department of Revenue Fees)
•  (Utilities)
•  (Creates the “Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force”)

The Senate Third Read the following bills, which now move to the House:

•  (Fireworks Protections) - Passed 31-2
•  (Modifies the Offense of Endangering the Welfare of a Child) - Passed 33-0
•  (Banks and Trust Companies) - Passed 31-2
•  (Permits the Employment of Chaplains in Public Schools) - Passed 27-6
•  (Noninvasive Plant Species) - Passed 32-1
•  (Hazing) - Passed 31-2
•  (Taxation of Certain Businesses) - Passed 33-0

FY 2026 Operating Budget Update

The House Budget Committee is making steady progress as they approach the finish line on their review of the department budget presentations.  were officially introduced on Wednesday. This week, the committee heard from: Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (HB3), Department of Mental Health (HB10), Department of Social Services (HB11), and the Office of the Treasurer (HB12). The only department presentation remaining is the Department of Health and Senior Services (HB 10), which will be heard Tuesday. Additionally, the committee received public testimony for the Supplemental Budget (HB14). Once all presentations are complete, subcommittees will begin convening to work through their budget recommendations.

The Senate Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Mental Health (HB10), the Office of the Governor (HB12), the Supplemental Budget (HB14).

With most of the department presentations completed in the House, and the Senate Department budget reviews well underway, the framework for the budget process is beginning to take shape.

This Week’s Committee Hearings

A quick run down of some of the more noteworthy bills that received public hearings this week:

•  and  - Tax credits for certain K-12 educational expenses
•  - Prior authorization reforms
•  - Sales tax exemptions for certain broadband equipment
•  and  - Implementation delay of certain provision of Proposition A (minimum wage increase and paid sick leave)
•  - Elimination of the individual income tax
•  - Creates the offense of disclosure of intimate digital depictions

Upcoming Hearings of Interest

Next week, the House will hold public hearings on legislation relating to insurance coverage for mental health services (), grandparent visitation rights and custody of children (,  and ), foreign influence on ballot measures (), contracts for work on the state highway system (), and nonresident student enrollment in public schools (), among other topics.  to view next week’s House hearing schedule.

The Senate will hold public hearings on a number of issues, including: minimum prison terms (,  and ), electric utilities (), assessments of virtual school students (), and agricultural tax credits (), among others.  to view next week’s Senate hearing schedule.

Governor Mike Kehoe Issues Executive Order to Eliminate DEI Programs in Missouri State Agencies

On Tuesday, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18, directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The order bars the use of state funds for DEI and prevents agencies from considering DEI in their hiring decisions.

“Missourians deserve a government that treats all individuals equally, without preferential treatment or discrimination based on immutable characteristics,” said Governor Kehoe. “Our state agencies must operate under a framework that ensures fairness, equal opportunity, and merit-based decision-making. This order reaffirms Missouri’s commitment to a constitutional, color-blind approach that serves all citizens fairly.”

 to view Executive Order 25-18.

2025 General Assembly Dates of Interest

Last Day to File Legislation - Saturday, March 1

Spring Break - No Session: March 17 - March 21

Easter Break - No Session: Monday, April 21

Last Day to Pass the Budget: Friday, May 9

Last Day of Session: Friday, May 16

Veto Session: Wednesday, September 10