SB 1207 requires the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to submit its annual financial report to the Joint Committee on Education. This procedural bill directly affects the Loan Authority by mandating a specific reporting obligation. The key provision is the requirement to file financial reports with the designated legislative committee, rather than another entity. No substantive policy changes or direct impacts on students or institutions are specified. (1 sentence summary as it is procedural)
SJR 117 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, establishes the "Taxpayer Protection Act". This constitutional amendment requires nonrecall petitions and referred measures to be held on a general election, a municipal election, or on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. The amendment authorizes districts to consolidate ballot issues and allows voters to approve delays up to four years in voting on ballot issues, provided that district actions taking during the delay shall not extend beyond that period. The amendment requires a district to mail notice to each active registered elector with specific titles, as described in the amendment. Such notices shall include a summary both for and against the proposal. In addition to existing constitutional requirements for voter approval of new or increased taxes, this amendment requires voter approval for any new tax, tax rate increase, mill levy above the prior year rate, valuation for assessment ratio increase for a property class, extension of an expiring tax, or a tax policy change directly causing a net tax revenue gain to any district. Voter approval shall also be required for the creation of any multiple fiscal year direct or indirect debt or other financial obligation whatsoever without adequate present cash reserves pledged irrevocably and held for payments in all future fiscal years. The amendment requires each district to reserve a portion of its fiscal year spending to be used only for declared emergencies, as described in the amendment. The amendment places a limit on the percentage change in state appropriations equal to inflation plus the percentage change in state population in the prior calendar year, adjusted for any revenue changes approved by voters. The amendment also places a limit on the annual percentage change in a local district fiscal year spending equal to inflation plus local growth. If revenue from sources not excluded from fiscal year spending exceeds the limits in dollars for that fiscal year, the excess shall be refunded in the next fiscal year unless voters approve a revenue change as an offset. Initial district bases shall be current fiscal year spending and property tax collected for tax year 2025. Qualification or disqualification as an enterprise, as defined in the amendment, shall change district bases and future year limits. Future creation of district bonded debt shall increase, and retiring or refinancing district bonded debt shall lower, fiscal year spending and property tax revenue by the annual debt service so funded. Debt service changes, reductions, refunds, and voter-approved revenue changes are dollar amounts that are exceptions to any district base. The amendment prohibits new or increased transfer tax rates on real property. The amendment also prohibits any new state real property tax or local income tax. The amendment authorizes districts to enact cumulative uniform exemptions and credits to reduce or end business personal property taxes. The amendment requires real estate sales prices for past or future sales by a lender or government to be kept as public records. The amendment allows a local district to reduce or end its subsidy to any program delegated to it by the General Assembly for administration. For current programs, the state may require 90 days notice and that the adjustment occur in a maximum of three equal annual installments. This amendment is substantially similar to HCS/HJR 169 (2026). JOSH NORBERG
HB 3372 requires port authorities to include specific terms in development agreements with the federal government for incentivized projects. It mandates one of three options: immediate buyout payments covering future tax obligations, community benefit payments to local governments for at least five years (plus additional funds to offset lost benefits), or approval resolutions from affected municipalities or counties. These provisions directly affect port authorities, federal project partners, and local governments receiving community benefits. Failure to include these terms creates a legal lien against the property and makes the agreement voidable by the port authority.
HB 3277 authorizes cities meeting specific population and county size criteria (e.g., certain population ranges within defined counties) to impose a 0.5% sales tax for public safety, including funding police, fire, and emergency medical services. Before implementation, the city must seek voter approval through a referendum. All tax revenue must be deposited into a special fund and used exclusively for public safety purposes, with remaining funds after tax termination also dedicated to public safety. The bill applies to multiple qualifying cities across the state, not exclusively to one city like Northwoods.
SJR 111 proposes a constitutional amendment modifying Missouri's real property tax rules. It would allow school districts with 1995 federal court-ordered property tax levies to lower their rates (with voter approval needed to raise rates back to the court level), ending this provision by December 31, 2026. It also requires counties to get voter approval for most tax increases and adjusts tax limits based on property valuation changes and the Consumer Price Index. This amendment must be approved by Missouri voters in the 2026 election to take effect.
HJR 169 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval before Missouri state or local districts can increase taxes, debt, or annual spending above certain thresholds. It directly affects state and local governments (excluding government-owned enterprises) by mandating public votes for new revenue measures and creating a refund process for illegally collected revenue. Key mechanisms include requiring districts to provide detailed spending data to voters before tax/debt votes, refunding illegally collected revenue with 10% annual interest, and suspending certain spending limits only during declared emergencies. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2027, and would override conflicting existing laws.
HB 2709 modifies how local governments adjust property tax rates when property valuations change. It requires counties, school districts, and other political subdivisions to revise tax rates for each property subclass (e.g., residential, commercial) whenever assessed values shift, ensuring they collect roughly the same tax revenue as the previous year - excluding new construction. The bill sets limits: tax rates cannot exceed the highest voter-approved rate from the 1980s (adjusted for inflation), and annual rate increases are capped at the consumer price index or 5%, whichever is lower. This directly affects local governments that collect property taxes, ensuring revenue stability while preventing unchecked rate hikes.
HB 2947 restricts how certain city-owned airports can use revenue from airport operations. It applies to cities not within a county that receive federal or state airport funding. The bill requires that all such revenue - like fees from ticket sales or rentals - must be spent only on airport-related costs, including the airport itself, the local airport system, or directly related facilities (like security or baggage systems). It prohibits using these funds for general city services or unrelated projects.
HB 2654 creates tax credits for companies making new capital investments in the state, directly affecting businesses planning significant projects. To qualify, a company must commit to spending at least $50 million on new investments within two years, with credits covering up to 2.5% of that investment over a three-year period. Companies must submit a notice of intent, provide annual reports on jobs created and investment details, and cannot use these credits for projects already covered by other programs. Data storage centers are explicitly excluded from eligibility under this bill.
HJR 159 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Missouri's State Treasurer to invest state funds in municipal bonds with high credit ratings (among the top five long-term ratings) and other safe, sensible financial instruments. The amendment requires the Treasurer to follow a written investment policy with asset allocation limits, ensures all investments maintain high credit ratings, and restricts maturities (e.g., municipal bonds must mature within five years). It clarifies that the Treasurer's duties are limited to managing state and U.S. government funds, excluding unrelated responsibilities. This amendment must be approved by Missouri voters in a future election after passing the legislature.
