HB 3237 directs municipalities collecting tourism taxes to deposit 75% of proceeds into an "Infrastructure Account" for building/maintaining tourism-related facilities like roads, parks, and sports venues (including indoor facilities), and 25% into a "Tourism Promotion Account" for marketing. It requires that tourism tax funds be kept separate from general municipal funds and cannot be commingled. The bill also specifies that if existing bonds were issued for infrastructure before 1997, a portion of the 75% must instead fund debt retirement. Municipalities must seek voter approval before implementing or expanding these tourism taxes.
HB 3334 allows vehicles operated by canine search and rescue teams (paid or volunteer) to be treated as emergency vehicles under state traffic laws. This means these teams can use sirens and fixed, flashing, or rotating blue lights while responding to fire, ambulance, or search/rescue emergencies, or at the scene of such incidents. The bill requires these vehicles to have written permits from fire departments, ambulance associations, or the state transportation commission, and mandates that sirens and lights be used only during actual emergencies. It does not change general traffic laws but specifically grants these teams emergency vehicle privileges for their critical operations.
HB 2668 replaces 43 existing Missouri property tax statutes with new provisions primarily governing how cities and counties can establish neighborhood improvement districts. These districts allow local governments to finance public improvements (like parks or roads) through voter-approved bonds and property assessments, requiring at least 50%+1 voter approval for creation. The bill sets limits: total project costs assessed on property cannot exceed initial estimates by more than 25%, and annual maintenance assessments must stay within 25% of projected costs. This directly affects property owners in districts where such improvements are approved and local governments creating these districts.
SB 1007 updates Missouri's requirements for child passenger restraints. It mandates that drivers transport children under 16 in appropriate restraints based on age, weight, and height: rear-facing seats until age 2, all children under 4 in a suitable system, and booster seats for children aged 4-8 weighing 40-80 pounds and under 4 feet 9 inches tall. Violations are classified as infractions punishable by a $50 fine, though courts may dismiss charges if the driver provides proof of purchasing a required restraint. The bill exempts school buses designed for 11+ passengers and public carriers, and requires the state to develop public education materials about the rules.
HB 2553, known as "Calvin's Law," requires children under 10 to wear protective headgear and ride only on motorcycles with proper passenger seats and foot pegs (unless a licensed physician certifies a medical exemption). It prohibits children under 10 from riding as passengers unless they can place both feet on foot pegs. Violations carry fines up to $100, with higher penalties ($100) for cases involving children under 10. The law also mandates that all riders under 26 wear protective headgear while operating or riding motorcycles. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Children
HB 1740 updates the state's point system for driving violations, affecting drivers who accumulate points on their license record. It sets specific thresholds for license suspension (e.g., 8 points in 18 months) and revocation (12 points in 12 months), while allowing drivers to avoid full suspension by installing an alcohol interlock device in their vehicle. License reinstatement requires proof of financial responsibility (like insurance) and takes 30-90 days depending on prior suspensions, with shorter timelines for first-time offenses. The bill also clarifies that points cannot be reduced during suspension periods and mandates reinstatement fees for suspended drivers.
HB 1831 creates new safety rules for children under 10 riding as passengers on motorcycles or motortricycles in Missouri. It requires motorcycles to have a proper passenger seat and mandates that children must be able to place both feet on foot pegs to ride as a passenger (with medical exemptions allowed). The bill also requires all under-10 passengers to wear protective headgear meeting state standards. These provisions, nicknamed "Calvin's Law," take effect January 1, 2027.
SB 1477 would change current law to allow motorcycle riders to use any color for auxiliary lighting (like turn signals or auxiliary lights), instead of being restricted to only amber or white. This directly affects motorcycle owners and manufacturers by removing color restrictions on these lights. The key provision eliminates the existing requirement for specific light colors, permitting any color choice for auxiliary lighting systems. The bill focuses solely on this regulatory change to motorcycle lighting standards.
HB 2055 prohibits drivers in Missouri from manually using electronic communication devices (like phones, tablets, or laptops) while operating noncommercial or commercial vehicles on public roads. It bans holding devices, texting, making calls, entering data, watching videos (except navigation), or recording video, except when using hands-free voice features that don’t distract from driving. The law applies to all drivers and includes exemptions for navigation systems, medical devices, and emergency communication tools. Violations could result in penalties under the new "Siddens Bening Hands Free Law" provisions.
HB 2441 increases penalties for illegally parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities in Missouri. It raises fines from $50-$300 to $100-$500 for unauthorized use of these spaces, as specified in the amended statute (Section 301.143). The bill also requires clear signage with the accessibility symbol and the exact fine amount, and mandates that new parking spaces include wider access aisles for wheelchair lifts. This directly affects individuals who misuse disability parking permits and property owners responsible for maintaining compliant parking facilities.
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People with Disabilities
