Budget & Taxes

passed · Missouri · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2559: Requires the general assembly to approve proposed administrative rules

HB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires legislative approval for costly administrative rules, enhancing fiscal oversight and promoting responsible budget management per cost thresholds.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2123: Modifies provisions governing funding for higher education

HB 2123 creates a merit-based scholarship program for Missouri students attending in-state colleges. It provides up to $3,000 annually for students in the top 3% of Missouri ACT/SAT test-takers and up to $1,000 for those in the top 4-5%, covering tuition at Missouri public or private institutions. Eligibility requires Missouri residency, high school graduation, and a qualifying test score, with special provisions for military service, medical leave, or nonprofit work. The program is administered by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, starting before the 2027-28 academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded scholarship program allocating public funds for higher education, directly advancing state budget spending on education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates merit-based scholarships funding higher education access for top students, directly advancing educational opportunity through new financial support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSpecial provision for military service in scholarship eligibility directly supports veterans' education access under higher education funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2238: Creates the "Hayes Act" governing school meals

HB 2238, the "Hayes Act," requires schools participating in the federal National School Lunch Program (but not the Community Eligibility Provision) to provide free lunches to students approved for reduced-price meals. It mandates state reimbursement to schools for the cost difference between actual lunch expenses and federal reimbursement rates, using a dedicated "School Meals Fund" for this purpose. The bill prohibits schools from publicly identifying students eligible for free/reduced meals and ensures applications are used solely for federal reimbursement and state aid calculations. This policy change directly affects participating schools and students qualifying for meal assistance, with funding dependent on state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated 'School Meals Fund' for state reimbursement, increasing state spending to cover cost gaps in school meals. Directly funds public education program via budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state reimbursement for school meal costs, increasing funding for school nutrition programs under education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2900: Modifies provisions governing Missouri empowerment scholarship accounts

HB 2900 expands Missouri's scholarship program to allow eligible students with disabilities or from low-income families to use state funds for private school tuition. It defines "qualified students" as those with IEPs/504 plans or from households earning under 300% of free lunch income, and requires participating schools (including private, charter, and virtual schools) to not discriminate based on protected characteristics. The bill ensures public schools retain state funding for students who leave for scholarship programs for up to five years. This maintains public school funding stability while expanding school choice options under specific eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state funding allocation for private school scholarships, directly increasing budgetary resources for education programs as defined in the bill's appropriation language.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for low-income/disabled students via state-funded private school scholarships, increasing options without defunding public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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passed · Missouri · House May 4, 2026

HB 2096: Modifies provisions relating to state funds for regional planning commissions

HB 2096 modifies how Missouri allocates state funds to regional planning commissions. It requires a 50-50 matching fund system, meaning each commission must provide local funds equal to the state funds received. The bill sets specific annual funding caps: $130,000 for the East-West Gateway and Mid-America Regional Councils, and $50,000 for each of 19 other commissions (including South Central Ozark, Ozark Foothills, and Missouri Valley). Starting July 1, 2027, these caps will automatically adjust yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill directly affects all regional planning commissions receiving state funds under these provisions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesImposes 50-50 matching requirement and annual funding caps, reducing state expenditure on commissions and restricting budget flexibility.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2406: Creates new provisions for the adoption of administrative rules

HB 2406 requires state agencies to notify Missouri's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules before finalizing any new rule that would cost over $250,000 annually for state agencies or significantly impact businesses or individuals financially. The bill mandates a 30-day waiting period after committee notification and requires the legislature to approve such rules via a concurrent resolution before they can take effect. This applies to most administrative rules, making them unenforceable without following these steps, though exceptions exist for rules needed for federal compliance or funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires legislative approval for rules costing $250k+ annually or financially impacting businesses, promoting fiscal responsibility through oversight.85% confidence

Track

signed · Missouri · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2020: Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the several departments and offices of state government

HB 2020 is Missouri's fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill, allocating $26.3 million from the Budget Stabilization Fund and $15.5 million from the Coronavirus Recovery Fund for specific state programs. It funds higher education grants requiring 50% local matching, technology upgrades for job centers, port authority grants (with local match requirements), streetcar planning, and infrastructure projects like state building HVAC repairs and a new warehouse. The bill also supports broadband expansion in underserved areas, a sports facility for athletes with special needs, and early childhood education programs, all subject to local matching funds where specified. This bill directly affects Missouri state agencies, local governments, and qualifying organizations receiving these allocations for designated projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $26.3M from Budget Stabilization Fund and $15.5M from Recovery Fund to fund education grants, infrastructure, and broadband expansion, directly advancing state budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds higher education grants with 50% local matching requirement, directly advancing higher education funding within the Education topic.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds technology upgrades for job centers, directly supporting employment services and workforce development per bill summary.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $15.5M for technology upgrades and broadband expansion, directly advancing internet access infrastructure as specified in the summary.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds streetcar planning (public transit) and port authority grants (transportation infrastructure) under infrastructure projects, directly advancing transportation initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Early Childhood Broadband Access Ports

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 3150: Requires the Air Conservation Commission to suspend by January 1, 2028, any motor vehicle emissions inspection program established under the Air Quality Attainment Act

HB 3150 requires the Air Conservation Commission to end all motor vehicle emissions inspection programs established under the Air Quality Attainment Act (sections 643.300-643.355) by January 1, 2028. This bill directly affects vehicle owners in jurisdictions currently requiring emissions testing and the agencies managing those programs. The key provision mandates a specific, mandatory suspension date for these inspections, replacing any existing requirements. The bill is pending in the legislature (introduced January 2026) and would eliminate a current regulatory requirement if passed. It does not create new programs but ends an existing one by a fixed deadline.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEnds emissions inspection program, reducing state spending on regulatory compliance, defunding a government program.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates suspension of motor vehicle emissions inspections, weakening pollution control under Air Quality Attainment Act, directly reducing environmental regulation compliance.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill eliminates mandatory vehicle emissions inspections (a vehicle regulation under transportation policy), directly removing a transportation program per 'oppose' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2763: Creates provisions relating to funding of behavioral health services

HB 2763 creates a funding mechanism for behavioral health crisis services by requiring wireless service providers to collect specific fees. Dealers selling prepaid wireless services must charge end users $0.65 per transaction, while CMRS providers must charge $0.65 monthly per postpaid line for customers with primary use in the state. All collected funds will be deposited into the new "988 Crisis Continuum Fund" managed by the Department of Mental Health, directly supporting crisis services like the 988 hotline and open access behavioral health programs. This bill affects wireless providers, end users purchasing service, and the state's mental health department, with no tax implications for the collected fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new telecom fees ($0.65 per transaction/month) to fund mental health crisis services via dedicated state fund, directly advancing budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates dedicated funding for behavioral health crisis services via telecom fees, directly supporting mental health services through the 988 Crisis Continuum Fund managed by the Department of Mental Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Mental Health

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signed · Missouri · House Jul 13, 2026

HB 2885: Requires all proceeds from boating registrations to be deposited in the water patrol division fund and used exclusively for the water patrol division

HB 2885 changes how boating registration fees are allocated in Missouri. It requires all fees collected from vessel registrations (for boats 16 feet or longer) to be deposited into the Water Patrol Division fund, with a phased transition: before July 2019, the first $2 million annually went to the general fund, but after July 2019, the first $1 million annually went to the general fund until June 2026, after which all fees must go exclusively to the Water Patrol Division. This directly affects boat owners who pay registration fees and ensures all excess fees fund water patrol operations, including safety patrols and enforcement. The bill does not alter registration requirements or fee amounts but redirects funding streams.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects boating registration fees exclusively to Water Patrol Division fund, ensuring dedicated funding for public safety program per bill's allocation changes.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill redirects boating registration fees to fund water patrol division, directly supporting waterway transportation infrastructure maintenance and safety as part of transportation policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget