HB 3438 prohibits public utilities (gas, electric, water, and sewer companies) from charging customers for specific expenses, including promotional advertising, charitable activities, and lobbying costs. The bill also bans discriminatory pricing practices and requires utilities to seek commission approval for sliding-scale rate adjustments. It mandates that cities pay interest on water/sewer deposits held over two years for current customers and prevents utilities from charging municipalities for fire hydrant placement (though costs can be included in overall rates). These provisions directly affect utility customers and local governments by limiting how utilities can structure and collect fees.
HB 3530, the "Battery and Grid Resilience Act," requires Missouri utilities to create residential programs enabling homeowners to install battery storage systems (minimum 10 kW capacity) connected to the grid. Utilities must offer a $500/kWh upfront rebate (capped at 30 kWh per home) plus performance payments for grid services, with systems required to participate in utility-approved tariffs for five years. The bill includes consumer protections like a 3-day cancellation window, mandatory disclosure of terms and incentives, and requirements for system safety and insurance. Costs for these programs are recoverable through utility rates, with safeguards ensuring low-income customers aren’t unduly burdened and savings are verified.
HB 3200 modernizes property tax assessment rules in Missouri, directly affecting property owners and county assessors across all counties and the City of St. Louis. It sets new tax rates for specific property types, including 5% for solar energy systems (previously 12% for farm machinery) and 12% for livestock and poultry. The bill also changes airport-related property valuation by reducing assessments for certain possessory interests where private parties funded improvements after 2008. Additionally, it requires counties to submit biennial assessment maintenance plans for approval and clarifies evidence needed when computer-assisted valuations are used.
SJR 121 prohibits public utilities from charging customers for costs related to ongoing construction projects that are not yet completed. This directly affects utility customers by preventing utilities from including unfinished construction expenses in their bills until work is finished. The key provision requires utilities to exclude such costs from billing until construction is complete, altering how infrastructure expenses are handled. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 23, 2026, and is in its initial reading stage.
SB 1553 authorizes financial incentives, such as tax credits or grants, for companies producing specific critical materials (e.g., minerals for clean energy technology) and certain pharmaceuticals. It directly affects domestic manufacturers in these sectors by potentially lowering production costs through government support. The bill's key mechanism is creating these targeted financial benefits to encourage increased domestic manufacturing capacity. Currently pending in the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee after initial readings.
HB 2774 prohibits state or local laws, rules, or regulations that restrict the sale or use of specific items based solely on their fuel type. It directly affects owners and sellers of motor vehicles, common tools (like generators, lawn mowers, and leaf blowers), and farm equipment. The bill blocks restrictions targeting fuel sources - such as banning gasoline-powered equipment in certain areas - by preventing such rules from being enacted. This creates a statewide standard, ensuring these items cannot be regulated differently simply because they run on gasoline, diesel, or other fuels.
SB 1522 revises Missouri's property tax assessment rules, directly affecting homeowners, businesses, farmers, and airport operators. Key changes include setting a 5% tax rate for solar equipment installed before August 2022, reducing the tax rate for agricultural crops to 0.5%, and allowing airport property owners to deduct their construction costs from taxable value. The bill also establishes a new two-year assessment maintenance plan process requiring county approval and clarifies how computer-assisted valuations must be justified in disputes. These provisions aim to modernize tax calculations while maintaining specific exemptions for certain property types.
HB 2854 requires government agencies to use competitive bidding for energy-saving building projects and to secure contracts guaranteeing that energy or operational savings will cover the project costs within 15 years, with the provider reimbursing any shortfall annually. Eligible projects include insulation, energy-efficient lighting, HVAC upgrades, and other defined measures that reduce energy consumption or operating costs. The bill exempts certain educational not-for-profits and ensures existing construction procurement rules remain in effect.
HB 2657 establishes foundational definitions to advance renewable energy use in Missouri state buildings. It defines key terms like "renewable energy source" (including solar, wind, and geothermal), "state building," and "substantial renovation" to create clear standards for energy efficiency. These definitions directly affect state agencies, public buildings, and contractors working on state construction or renovation projects by setting requirements for renewable energy integration and energy efficiency reporting. The bill creates the framework for future implementation of energy-saving measures but does not yet mandate specific actions or funding.
HB 3019 establishes rules for community solar gardens, allowing multiple subscribers to share electricity generated from solar facilities. It directly affects retail electric suppliers (who must run a 2027-2029 pilot program requiring 2% of annual sales to be covered by subscriptions), community solar operators, and subscribers - including low-income households. Key provisions include defining community solar facilities (100-5,000 kW, 10+ subscribers), requiring bill credits for subscribers based on solar output, and mandating special bill credit values to ensure low-income customers save money. The bill also requires suppliers to process credits, allow subscription transfers, and report usage data in standardized formats.