SCS/SB 986 - This act modifies various provisions relating to elections. VOTER REGISTRATION - Documentary Proof of Citizenship The act requires the citizenship status of each person submitting a voter registration application to be verified by local election authorities (LEAs). In the event that an applicant's citizenship status cannot be verified by the LEA, the applicant must provide documentary proof of citizenship. Nothing in this act shall require a person who appears on the list of registered voters or who seeks to transfer voter registration within this state from being required to provide an election authority documentary proof of United States citizenship, unless the person is stricken from the list of registered voters and the person thereafter seeks to register to vote. Specific provisions are created for persons who register to vote using the National Mail Voter Registration form provided by the Federal Election Assistance Commission. These persons are referred to as "federal-only voters" and are only permitted to vote in federal contests, as that term is defined in the act. Federal-only voters may vote either in person on election day at the office of the LEA or by absentee ballot. Additionally, ballots cast by a federal-only voter must be treated the same as a provisional ballot. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 1122 (2026). MAINTENANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS Current law requires the Secretary of State to enter into an agreement with the Department of Revenue to match information in the voter registration system with the information in the database of the motor vehicle system. This act requires such agreement to include matching information pertaining to the citizenship status of those within the Department of Revenue's database. This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 983 (2026), SB 1772 (2026), HCS/HB 2125 (2026), HB 3227 (2026), HB 3263 (2026), and HB 3493 (2026). The clerk of each circuit court in the state is required to prepare and transmit to the Secretary of State (SOS) a complete list of all persons who identify themselves as not being citizens of the United States when called to jury duty. This report shall be sent on a monthly basis. If an election authority determines that a person who is not eligible to vote registered to vote or voted in an election, the election authority shall execute and deliver to the Attorney General, SOS, and the relevant prosecuting or circuit attorney an affidavit stating the relevant facts. ABSENTEE VOTING The act allows eligible covered voters to vote absentee by submitting a federal postcard application at the office of the election authority on election day even though the person is not registered. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1871 (2026), SCS/SB 836 (2026), SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024). REFERRAL OF VIOLATION OF ELECTION LAWS Current law provides that if the SOS finds that reasonable grounds appear that the alleged election offense was committed, the SOS may issue a probable cause statement and refer the offense to the appropriate prosecuting attorney. This act permits referral to the appropriate prosecuting attorney or the Attorney General. This act contains a severability clause and a contingent effective date, based on when the Secretary of State notifies the Revisor of Statutes that citizenship verification data is able to be utilized through the Missouri centralized voter registration database. This act is similar to SCS/SB 62 (2025). SCOTT SVAGERA
SB 980 - This act modifies the Tort Victims' Compensation Fund by providing that in addition to the current requirements, an uncompensated tort victim shall be a person who is a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident or who holds a lawful visa issued by the United States Department of State. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations shall verify eligibility requirements prior to the authorization of any payment from the Fund. Additionally, this act provides that an administrative law judge may, as part of any award, determine and allow reasonable attorney's fees, but such fees shall not exceed 15% of the amount awarded to the claimant. No attorney shall ask for, contract for, or receive any sum larger than the amount allowed. This act additionally modifies those injured victims eligible for payment from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. Eligible injured victims are persons who, at the time of application for compensation from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, are: (1) A United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a person lawfully present under a valid visa issued by the United States Department of State; and (2) Killed or suffers personal physical injury in Missouri as a result of the commission or attempted commission of any crime by another person; a good-faith attempt to assist a person against whom a crime is being committed or attempted; or assisting a law enforcement officer in the apprehension of a person believed by the officer to have committed or attempted to commit a crime. The Department of Public Safety shall verify eligibility requirements prior to the authorization of any payment from the Fund. This act also modifies the amount of attorneys's fees that may be awarded from 15% to 10% of the amount subrogated to the Department of Public Safety from the claimant's legal proceeding related to the crime. This act is identical to provisions contained in SB 1772 (2026), and similar to HB 2177 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
SB 1265 - This act modifies various provisions relating to illegal aliens. SANCTUARY CITIES (Section 67.307) The act provides that any municipality that enacts or adopts a sanctuary policy shall be subject to a fine of $25,500 for each day on which the municipality has such sanctuary policy in effect. E-VERIFY (Section 285.530) Current law requires only public employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program, while all other employers are permitted, but not required, to enroll and participate. This act requires all employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1038 (2026), a provision in SB 1070 (2026), SB 1373 (2024), substantially similar to provisions in SB 528 (2025) and HB 120 (2025), and similar to a provision in HB 1515 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2489 (2024), a provision in HB 2844 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 188 (2023). OFFENSE OF TRANSPORTATION, CONCEALMENT, OR INDUCEMENT OF ILLEGAL ALIENS (Section 577.675) The act expands the offense of transportation of an illegal alien to include the concealment or inducement of an illegal alien. Any person is guilty of such an offense, punished as a class D felony, if he or she knowingly: • Conceals, harbors or shields or attempts to conceal, harbor or shield an illegal alien from detection in any place in this state, including any building or any means of transportation, if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien has come to, has entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law; or • Encourages or induces an alien to come to or reside in this state. LOCAL ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS (Section 590.250) The act allows any law enforcement officer or agency to enforce the provisions of federal immigration law that establish criminal penalties. This act is identical to SB 114 (2025) and substantially similar to SB 1138 (2024), SB 1373 (2024), HB 2470 (2024), SB 130 (2023), and SB 1227 (2022). SCOTT SVAGERA
HB 3522 requires that the written portion of Missouri's driver's license examination be administered exclusively in English, with no translators permitted for applicants taking this section. The bill directly affects all Missouri driver's license applicants who must complete the written test, including those renewing licenses or applying for new licenses. It specifically mandates that the written exam (covering traffic laws and sign comprehension) be given in English only, though vision tests and practical driving demonstrations remain unaffected. This policy change applies to all applicants except those covered under existing exemptions, such as active military personnel or those with reciprocal license agreements.
HB 3301, known as the "Missouri Values Act," restricts Missouri law enforcement agencies from using state resources for federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits local police and jails from detaining individuals based on immigration hold requests, checking immigration status, sharing personal information (like home addresses), or transferring people to immigration authorities without a federal judicial warrant or probable cause determination. The bill allows limited exceptions, such as sharing criminal history via MULES or participating in joint task forces where immigration enforcement isn't the primary purpose. It directly affects all Missouri law enforcement agencies, including city and county police departments and sheriff's offices.
HB 3340 prohibits state agencies from using state funds to lease, build, retrofit, or contract for operations (like food, medical, or security) at facilities holding civil immigration detainees. It directly affects state agencies and local governments receiving state funding that might otherwise support immigration detention. The bill specifically bans state spending on these activities but does not interfere with information-sharing requirements under existing law or federal immigration law. This is a direct policy change restricting state financial support for civil immigration detention operations.
HB 3482 would change eligibility rules for Missouri's Access Missouri financial aid program. It requires applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, Missouri residents, and enrolled full-time at approved schools, while prohibiting aid for theology/divinity degree programs. The bill also disqualifies students convicted of certain crimes (matching federal student aid rules) and limits total aid to 10 semesters or 15 quarters, with renewal requiring a 2.5 GPA. These changes would directly affect Missouri students applying for or renewing this state-funded aid. The bill is pending in the House as of its February 2026 introduction.
HB 3158 modifies Missouri's driver's license application rules for non-citizens by requiring them to present proof of lawful presence (like immigration documents) for each new, renewal, or duplicate application, except for non-commercial licenses that are not REAL-ID compliant. The bill mandates that the state offer both REAL-ID compliant licenses (valid for federal purposes like air travel) and non-REAL-ID licenses (only for state use), and prohibits keeping copies of documents for non-REAL-ID applications. It also clarifies that the Department of Revenue cannot retain source documents for non-REAL-ID licenses, except in specific cases like fraud investigations or commercial license applications. The law ensures applicants are informed about the federal limitations of non-REAL-ID licenses during the application process.
HB 3159 requires Missouri's Department of Social Services to provide free legal counsel to undocumented minors under 18 in immigration matters. It directly affects immigrant children identified as unaccompanied or without guardians, covering both state court proceedings and federal immigration cases like asylum or T-Visa applications. Key provisions mandate counsel be appointed when a child is designated as an "immigrant child" (defined as under 18 without lawful status or parental support), and specify that legal services must be provided by qualified nonprofits or public defenders with experience in immigration cases. The bill ensures ongoing representation until case resolution, even if the child turns 18 during proceedings.
SB 1616 restricts access to Missouri's SNAP food assistance and MO HealthNet medical benefits for non-U.S. citizens, requiring applicants to prove citizenship, national status, or specific federal immigration eligibility. It mandates documentary proof (like driver's license documents or federal status verification) at application, with temporary benefits allowed via sworn affidavit for up to 90 days or until citizenship documentation is provided. The bill explicitly excludes emergency medical care, prenatal services, children's benefits (when applied for by a citizen parent), and certain other non-cash aid like unemployment or postsecondary education. It also requires state agencies to verify immigration status through federal systems like DHS's SAVE program but prohibits denying benefits based solely on data matching.
