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
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.
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.
HB 2468 changes eligibility for Missouri's SNAP (food assistance) and MO HealthNet (medical assistance) by requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or lawful immigration status under federal definitions. Applicants must provide documentary evidence (like a driver's license or federal immigration documents) at application, or use a sworn affidavit for temporary benefits while gathering proof. State agencies must verify lawful presence through the federal SAVE program, with temporary benefits limited to 90 days or until proof is submitted. The bill excludes emergency medical care, prenatal services, and certain other benefits from these restrictions.
This bill (HB 2481) corrects a misleading title: it does **not** restrict SNAP food purchases but instead requires proof of immigration status for SNAP and other public benefits. It mandates that applicants provide documentary evidence of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or lawful presence (e.g., driver’s license documents or federal immigration status verification) at application and during eligibility reviews. The bill requires state agencies to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to confirm immigration status, with temporary benefits allowed via sworn affidavit for up to 90 days or until birth certificate verification is complete. It directly affects immigrants applying for SNAP, housing assistance, or other state/local public benefits requiring immigration status verification.
