HB 2167 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies provisions for the staffing of the attorney general's office and the capitol

HB 2167 replaces Missouri's existing staffing rules for the Attorney General's office with new provisions. It grants the Attorney General sole authority to appoint assistant attorneys general, clerical staff, and investigators at their discretion, without requiring legislative approval for each position. The bill specifies that all staff serve "at the pleasure of the Attorney General" (meaning they can be removed by the AG), must meet similar qualifications as the AG, and will be paid from state or federal funds within budget limits. This change streamlines internal staffing decisions but does not alter the office's legal responsibilities or directly impact the public.

Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Dec 4, 2025 Last action Apr 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Perfected · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly expanded to address immediate security needs in the state capitol. While the original version only updated the Attorney General's authority to hire assistants, the new version adds a new section authorizing the General Assembly and its chambers to hire armed legislative security officers. It also clarifies that the Attorney General can hire investigators and other staff.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely regulating the Attorney General's office to including new provisions for legislative security officers and clarifying the Attorney General's hiring authority.

SCOPE

Added a new section (21.158) authorizing the General Assembly, House, or Senate to employ legislative security officers who are licensed peace officers authorized to carry firearms.

ENFORCEMENT

Granted legislative security officers the specific power to apprehend and arrest persons to ensure the security and functioning of the General Assembly.

TIMELINE

Declared the new security officer provision an emergency act, making it effective immediately upon passage to ensure safety during the current legislative session.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the Attorney General's hiring authority to explicitly include investigators and other necessary employees, removing bracketed text that indicated optional language.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Voted Do Pass (S)

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Second read and referred: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence(S)

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 97 NOES: 50 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Perfected with Amendments (H) - HA 1, HA 2, adopted

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 7 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 3 PRESENT: 0

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 8, 2026

Committee

Referred: Judiciary(H)

lower

Dec 4, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled (H)

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors