Missouri FOP Lodge 15 | Political Updates

MO Legislative Update - Week 16

May 01, 2026

With just two weeks remaining in the legislative session, activity at the Capitol is intensifying as lawmakers work to finalize priorities ahead of adjournment. As the state budget approaches its critical May 8 deadline, it is expected to dominate the Legislature’s attention in the coming days, with negotiations and revisions driving the overall pace of activity. As timelines tighten, movement on other key legislation will continue alongside budget discussions, often with limited notice and rapidly evolving language.

Weekly Reporting

With the session now entering what is commonly referred to as “omnibus season,” nearly every bill still moving is being evaluated as a potential vehicle for carrying additional provisions, as lawmakers work to advance priority items before adjournment. Legislative activity is expected to become increasingly fluid and unpredictable, with significant amendments and last-minute changes anticipated across nearly all active bills, and activity running throughout the week and late into each evening. Accordingly, this will be our final weekly report of the session. We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide timely updates as key items progress toward the finish line. The session is scheduled to adjourn promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, after which we will provide a comprehensive final legislative report summarizing all enacted legislation and relevant amendments.

Budget Update

On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee met to review and finalize adjustments to House Bills 17, 18, 19, and 20, with the primary focus on aligning appropriations to actual expenditures and reallocating remaining funds across bills. In House Bill 17, the committee made broad reductions or eliminated funding for projects that have already been fully expended, while also shifting select funds and incorporating a few Senate priorities, including broadband-related items moved from other legislation. House Bill 18 saw limited changes, primarily restoring the governor’s recommended funding levels for certain maintenance and conservation projects.

House Bill 19 represented the most significant area of new spending, with the Senate adding tens of millions of dollars across key categories. This included roughly $15+ million for higher education and university-related projects, over $10 million for economic development initiatives, and more than $10 million for community, health, and social service projects, along with additional investments in local transportation and infrastructure improvements statewide. Notably, the bill also includes $15 million for a Jefferson City parking garage, a project that has drawn particular attention and debate.

House Bill 20, the ARPA-related appropriations bill, primarily reflected technical reductions due to prior spending, with the committee noting this is likely the final year for allocating those federal funds ahead of the December 2026 deadline. All four bills were passed unanimously out of committee with Senate substitutes, reflecting agreement on the updated budget allocations.

Legislative Activity This Week

Criminal Justice and Public Safety Reform

Following several weeks of legislative activity on HB 2637, sponsored by Representative John Black (R-Marshfield), a conference committee was appointed to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The selected conference committee met Wednesday to review and consider the Senate changes and ultimately adopted a conference committee substitute reflecting a negotiated version of the legislation. Specifically, the conference committee version retains the bill’s core changes to sentencing policy, including revisions to how minimum prison terms are calculated and adjustments to conditional release eligibility. In addition, the final negotiated package expands Missouri criminal statutes to address emerging public safety concerns, including the creation of new offenses related to online exploitation and harassment, unlawful tracking, and the distribution of digitally manipulated intimate images. The bill also strengthens protections for victims through expanded stalking provisions and orders of protection and includes updates to the state’s sexual offender registry requirements. Beyond criminal code revisions, the conference substitute incorporates provisions aimed at improving public safety and system coordination, including support measures for law enforcement and first responders and the establishment of mental health intervention tools such as assisted outpatient treatment and procedures for involuntary evaluation. The final version also includes various updates to court procedures, juvenile provisions, and criminal records reporting requirements, reflecting the broader scope of the negotiated agreement. The House subsequently adopted the conference committee report by a vote of 119-18, followed by Senate adoption by a vote of 25-4. With both chambers approving the conference committee substitute, the bill has now been sent to the Governor for approval or veto.

Speed Limit Modifications

The House dedicated time Thursday morning to debate SB 1408, sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger (R-Benton). As originally filed, the bill increases the maximum speed limit from 70 miles per hour to 75 miles per hour on roadways currently posted at 70 miles per hour. During debate, however, the bill was significantly expanded into an omnibus transportation package. Lawmakers adopted several amendments adding a wide range of provisions, including changes to vehicle inspection requirements and resale standards, expanded options for multi-year vehicle registrations, including five-year registration options, updates to motor vehicle titling processes, and provisions related to salvage titles and the establishment of the Missouri Motor Vehicle Commission. Additional amendments addressed transportation project reporting requirements, motorcycle equipment and lighting regulations, the creation of a statewide safe driving education program for high school students, and expanded specialty license plate eligibility for professional sports teams. Lawmakers also adopted provisions related to hands-free driving requirements, establishing new restrictions on the use of electronic devices while operating a vehicle, along with penalties for violations. Overall, the bill evolved from a narrow speed limit increase into a broader package addressing multiple aspects of Missouri transportation policy. The House ultimately passed SB 1408 by a vote of 82–53, and the bill now returns to the Senate for review and approval of the House changes.

Driving While Intoxicated

The House Committee on Children and Families met Tuesday morning to discuss SB 1135, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson (R-Bonne Terre). The bill, known as “Bentley and Mason’s Law,” requires individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated or impaired offenses that result in the death of a parent to pay child maintenance to the surviving child or children, with payment amounts determined by the court based on factors similar to child support, including financial needs and standard of living. Committee discussion focused on how payment amounts would be determined, potential enforcement mechanisms and penalties for nonpayment, concerns about interaction with civil judgments and avoiding “double recovery,” and ensuring the obligation does not create undue hardship on other dependents. Testifying in support was from a victim who shared personal experience with the law in another state, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), speaking on behalf of affected families and urging passage without delay; and testimony presented on behalf of the bill’s originating family, emphasizing accountability and financial stability for children who lose parents due to impaired driving. No opposition or informational testimony was provided.

St. Louis Police Retirement System

The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety convened Tuesday afternoon to discuss SB 1572, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson (R-Desloge). This bill seeks to modify the membership of the Board of Trustees of the Police Retirement System of St. Louis. Supporting testimony was presented by the St. Louis Police Retirement System who stressed this simply seeks to ensure a quorum may always be had when major investment decisions are needed to be made.

Masked Intimidation

Representative David Dolan (R-Sikeston) presented HB 2848 Wednesday morning to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence. The bill makes it a crime to harass, intimidate, or threaten someone while wearing a mask to conceal identity and cause fear. The offense is generally a misdemeanor but can be enhanced to a felony if motivated by protected characteristics, and it includes exceptions for lawful mask use such as health, religious, or occupational purposes. Supporters, including Anti-Defamation League, MO Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MO Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errantes, and a self-identified public advocate argued the bill strengthens public safety by deterring masked intimidation and protecting communities while allowing legitimate mask use. No opposing testimony was presented. Immediately after the hearing, the committee went into executive session to consider passage of HB 2848. With no further discussion, the committee passed the bill by a 4-0 vote.

Cameras on private property

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence convened on Wednesday morning to consider passage of HB 2547, sponsored by Representative Mitch Boggs (R-LaRussell). Current law prohibits state agency employees from placing surveillance or game cameras on private property without consent from the landowner, a warrant, or the permission of the highest-ranking law enforcement chief or officer of the agency. The bill removes the ability of the law enforcement chief or officer to approve placing a surveillance or game camera on private property. With no discussion, the committee passed the bill by a 4–0 vote.

Interlock Requirements

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence convened on Wednesday morning to consider passage of HB 1740, sponsored by Representative Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City).The bill strengthens Missouri’s driving while intoxicated laws by expanding mandatory ignition interlock requirements, increasing license suspension and reinstatement conditions, and enhancing penalties for repeat and high–blood alcohol concentration offenders. It restructures DWI felony classifications, imposes stricter sentencing and parole eligibility rules, and increases penalties in cases involving serious injury or death, with the overall goal of reducing repeat intoxicated driving and improving public safety. During executive session, committee members adopted a committee substitute removing the criminal negligence requirement in fatal DWI cases, adding ignition interlock requirements in more circumstances, and incorporating child support enforcement provisions. As amended, the committee passed the bill by a 4–0 vote.

Drug trafficking

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence convened on Wednesday morning to consider passage of HB 1625, sponsored by Representative Willard Haley (R-Eldon). The bill increases penalties for various amounts of fentanyl at the time of arrest. With no discussion, the committee passed the bill by a 4–0 vote.

Hearing Schedules

House

Senate

Chamber Floor Calendars

House

Senate

Upcoming Dates of Interest