SB 1460 - This act modifies provisions relating to towing. TOWING LIABILITY POLICY Current law requires motor vehicle liability policies to meet certain criteria. This act provides that any motor vehicle liability policy for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle rating of more than 26,000 pounds shall provide coverage for towing, winching, vehicle recovery, and emergency roadside labor in an amount of at least $100,000. (Section 303.190) RECOVERY OF TOWING COSTS Current law provides a mechanism for the owner of abandoned property that has been towed to file a petition in associate circuit court to determine if the abandoned property was wrongfully taken or withheld from its owner. This act applies such provision only to property for which the costs charged by the towing company do not exceed $15,000. For towed abandoned property with a gross vehicle rating of more than 26,000 pounds and with costs charged by the towing company exceeding $15,000, the owner of such property may, within seven days after the receipt of notification from the towing company pursuant to current law, file a petition in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the abandoned property is stored if there is a dispute arising over costs charged by the towing company. The petition shall name the towing company among the defendants. Upon filing the petition, the property owner shall pay to the towing company fifty percent of all costs charged by the towing company as of the date of filing, and the remaining fifty percent of all costs shall be deposited with the court. If the court finds in favor of the towing company, the property owner shall pay the remainder of the costs to the towing company along with interest accrued from the date of filing. Within five business days of depositing fifty percent of the costs charged by the towing company with the court, the property owner shall remove the truck, trailer, cargo, and any debris associated with such items from the premises of the towing company. Failure to remove such property shall result in the property owner forfeiting the moneys deposited with the court to the towing company. (Section 304.156) This act is identical to HB 3447 (2026). TAYLOR MIDDLETON
SB 1753 is a funding bill that allocates state money for the Department of Revenue and Department of Transportation. It authorizes spending on their routine operations, grants they distribute, tax refunds they process, and other financial distributions. This bill does not create new policies or directly affect residents; it simply provides the budgetary authority for existing department functions. The bill is in its early stage, having been filed for its first reading on February 25, 2026.
HB 3350 prohibits railroads from operating trains longer than 8,500 feet on any main rail line or branch line within the jurisdiction of this law. The bill directly affects railroad operators who currently run longer trains on these routes. The Department of Transportation is authorized to create rules for measuring train lengths, granting route-specific exemptions, and imposing penalties for violations. These rules must comply with existing state administrative procedures. The law sets a clear, measurable restriction on train size without specifying safety or economic impacts.
HB 3491 requires foreign applicants for commercial driver's licenses to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete reports. It directly affects non-U.S. citizen commercial drivers seeking or holding licenses in this state. Violations result in fines ($1,000 for drivers, $3,000 for carriers) and misdemeanor charges (class D for first offense, class B for repeat offenses), with drivers prohibited from operating commercial vehicles until meeting language standards. The bill also mandates verifying lawful U.S. presence before issuing licenses, effective July 1, 2005, as part of compliance with federal laws.
HB 3318 requires drivers to stop at railroad crossings whenever any on-track equipment (such as maintenance vehicles) is present, not just when trains are approaching. This expands existing safety rules that already mandate stops for trains, adding clear language to cover all moving equipment on the tracks. Drivers must stop 15-50 feet from the nearest rail and wait until it's safe to proceed, applying to scenarios like warning signals, lowered gates, or visible approaching equipment. The bill directly affects all drivers passing railroad crossings, with penalties for violations including a class C misdemeanor. It does not change other existing crossing rules, such as stopping for insufficient clearance or commercial vehicle speed requirements.
SB 1646 reorganizes how Missouri municipalities must use tourism tax revenues. It requires 75% of collected taxes to fund tourism infrastructure (like roads, parks, and facilities for events), while 25% must support tourism marketing and promotion. Any existing tourism bonds issued before 1997 can be paid down using a portion of the 75% infrastructure allocation. Municipalities must also obtain voter approval before implementing these taxes or using them to retire debt.
HJR 194 is a proposed constitutional amendment in Missouri that would authorize the highways and transportation commission to build toll roads on interstates and four-lane roadways, directly affecting drivers who use these routes. The bill specifies that toll revenue must be deposited into a dedicated "state road fund" to pay for highway bonds, maintain roads, and fund construction projects like widening highways or connecting state parks. It would also require that tolls collected only at entrances to these roads, with rates needing legislative approval. This amendment is currently pending in the Missouri legislature and would change how transportation funding is managed if adopted.
HB 3388 requires drivers and front-seat passengers in most passenger vehicles (cars under 10 seats, excluding motorcycles and heavy trucks) to wear seat belts, but prohibits police from stopping vehicles solely to check compliance. Violations carry a $10 fine with no points or court costs, and the law limits how seat belt non-use affects injury lawsuits - requiring expert proof that non-use contributed to injuries before reducing damages by up to 1%. Exemptions include USPS workers, agricultural workers, people with medical reasons, and children under 16 (who follow separate rules). The bill also mandates a public education program on seat belt use and safety compliance.
SB 1685 extends Missouri's sales tax exemption for aviation jet fuel used by interstate airlines, allowing carriers to avoid paying state sales tax on qualifying fuel purchases up to $1.5 million annually. This exemption directly affects commercial airlines transporting passengers and cargo across state lines, with tax revenues from the exemption directed to the aviation trust fund (capped at $10 million yearly). The bill updates the expiration date of this existing policy from 2033 to December 31, 2043, maintaining the same annual tax cap and refund mechanisms for overpayments. The change provides continued tax relief for the aviation industry without altering the exemption's core structure.
HB 3408 creates a special designation called "Missouri Rock Island Trail Communities" for municipalities along the Rock Island Trail corridor. It specifically names the cities of Bland and Belle as the initial designated communities, with future municipalities along the trail potentially receiving the title through legislative action. The bill establishes this designation to support outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, and economic development in those areas. Crucially, it explicitly states no state funds will be required for this designation.
