SB 1040 would allow metropolitan school districts to seek voter approval for a 0.25% sales tax specifically to fund special educational services. The tax would be listed separately on receipts and require a majority "yes" vote in a general election. If approved, revenue would go into a dedicated trust fund, with 1% covering collection costs, and all funds must stay separate from state money. The tax cannot be imposed without voter consent and can only be used for special education programs within the district.
SB 1031 prohibits state departments from using public funds for specific diversity initiatives. It directly affects state agencies and their budgets by banning expenditures on certain programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The bill's key mechanism is a clear spending restriction on designated initiatives, without defining them further in the provided abstract. Currently, the bill has been prefaced and referred to the Government Efficiency Committee for review.
HJR 147 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a dedicated funding source for pensions for eligible blind residents in Missouri. It would require a property tax levy of 0.5 to 3 cents per $100 of taxable property valuation, with annual funds matching the 2026-27 fiscal year appropriation for the blind pension fund. Any unused funds after pension payments would first support the Commission for the Blind and any remaining balance would transfer to the public school fund. This amendment, if approved by voters, would permanently guarantee this funding mechanism within Missouri's Constitution.
SB 874 requires all public schools in the state to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student, regardless of family income. This policy change eliminates the current system where eligibility for free or reduced-price meals depends on household financial status. The bill mandates that schools cover these meal costs through state funding, shifting the responsibility from individual families to the public education system. It directly affects all K-12 students attending public schools across the state, ensuring universal access to school meals without income-based barriers.
HJR 141 proposes a constitutional amendment that would change how Missouri's state tax commission handles property tax appeals. If approved by voters in 2026, it would limit the commission's authority starting January 1, 2027: the commission could no longer increase property valuations in appeals, only uphold current values or lower them. The amendment also requires the commission to provide each county with detailed reports listing properties that are either undervalued or overvalued compared to their actual market value. This change would directly affect property owners, local governments, and the commission by altering the appeal process for property tax assessments.
HB 2595 proposes allowing cities of the third classification with city manager government to impose a 5% tax on lodging charges (hotels, short-term rentals, B&Bs) paid by transient guests staying 31 days or less per quarter. The tax would require voter approval via a specific ballot question and could only fund tourism promotion, such as marketing or facility maintenance. Cities would have two options for collecting the tax: manage it internally or partner with Missouri’s state revenue director. The tax cannot take effect without voter approval and may be repealed through another voter vote.
HJR 144 proposes a constitutional amendment granting Missouri veterans with service-connected disabilities a proportional property tax exemption. It directly affects veterans who received a disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, exempting their real property (like homes) and personal property from taxes based on their specific disability percentage. For example, a veteran with a 50% disability rating would receive a 50% reduction in property taxes, while those rated 100% would be fully exempt. This amendment requires voter approval in a special election and would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.
HJR 131 proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri's Article X that would establish new property tax exemptions and set a state revenue limit. It would exempt certain properties (veterans' homesteads, manufacturing inventories, religious/charitable properties) from taxation and require counties to replace lost tax revenue through a new countywide tax on specific commercial property. The amendment also sets a state revenue cap, limiting total state taxes (excluding federal funds) to a formula based on historical revenue and Missouri personal income, effective for fiscal year 2027-2028. This would directly affect businesses (manufacturers, retailers), property owners (veterans, religious organizations), and local governments managing tax replacement mechanisms. The amendment requires voter approval to take effect.
HJR 112 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how residential property taxes are assessed in Missouri. It would freeze the assessed value of all residential property (including single-family and rental homes) at its most recent valuation starting January 1, 2027. Property owners could see limited annual increases - capped at either the change in the consumer price index or 2% per year - unless new construction or improvements justify a higher increase. This directly affects homeowners and landlords by limiting annual tax assessment growth for residential properties. The amendment must be approved by Missouri voters in 2026.
HB 1799 allows property taxpayers in local political subdivisions to petition for a reduction in their area's combined property tax rate through a voter-approved process. Taxpayers must gather signatures equal to 5% of voters in the last election for the governing body, pay verification fees (up to $0.50 per signature), and submit the petition to the local election authority. If approved by a majority vote in the next general election, the tax rate is reduced by the approved percentage - capped at 5% - but cannot affect taxes for debt service or be proposed more frequently than every four years. This bill directly affects homeowners and property owners in cities, counties, or other local governments that levy property taxes.
