HB 2885 changes how boating registration fees are allocated in Missouri. It requires all fees collected from vessel registrations (for boats 16 feet or longer) to be deposited into the Water Patrol Division fund, with a phased transition: before July 2019, the first $2 million annually went to the general fund, but after July 2019, the first $1 million annually went to the general fund until June 2026, after which all fees must go exclusively to the Water Patrol Division. This directly affects boat owners who pay registration fees and ensures all excess fees fund water patrol operations, including safety patrols and enforcement. The bill does not alter registration requirements or fee amounts but redirects funding streams.
HB 1725 requires transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber or Lyft to verify driver qualifications through mandatory registration, criminal background checks (including sex offender registry checks), and driving history reviews. It prohibits TNCs from allowing drivers with certain violations (e.g., three moving violations in three years, recent violent crimes, or sex offenses) or lacking valid licenses/insurance to operate. The bill also creates a new offense for impersonating a TNC driver, punishable as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances (e.g., causing injury or death during a felony). This law directly affects TNCs, their drivers, and riders by setting standardized safety requirements and criminal penalties for fraud. Drivers may no longer need additional state or local licenses to provide rides under this bill.
HB 2002 is Missouri's 2026-2027 state budget for public education, allocating over $4.28 billion to fund public school operations through the School Foundation Program. It directly affects all Missouri public school districts, child care facilities providing pre-K programs, and the State Board of Education, with specific funding for classroom instruction, transportation, small schools, and voluntary open enrollment. Key provisions include $7.5 million for open enrollment programs (requiring receiving districts to receive state adequacy payments), $16.2 million for pre-K grants prioritizing low-income children, and strict rules prohibiting use of student data for marketing. The bill transfers funds from multiple state accounts, including General Revenue, Lottery Proceeds, and Sports Wagering for Education, to support these education programs during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
HB 2102 allows cities and counties in Missouri to form "neighborhood improvement districts" to fund street lighting in residential areas. These districts can cover installation, maintenance, and electricity costs for LED or equivalent efficient street lights through special assessments on properties within the district or by having electric suppliers bill residents directly. The state creates a dedicated fund to provide matching grants (with the state covering two-thirds of costs up to $2,000 per light) to help local governments implement these projects. Districts are limited to 20 years with possible 20-year extensions, and all funds must be used solely for street lighting improvements as defined in the bill.
HB 1632 creates tax credits for Missouri retailers and distributors selling biodiesel blends (5-20% biodiesel mixed with diesel fuel). It provides a 2-cent-per-gallon credit for blends of 5-10% biodiesel and a 5-cent-per-gallon credit for blends of 10-20% biodiesel sold at retail service stations or to final users within Missouri. The credits apply to tax years beginning in 2023 or later, with a total annual cap of $16 million and a sunset provision ending the program on December 31, 2028, unless reauthorized. This bill directly affects fuel sellers who meet the blend specifications defined in the law.
Missouri's HB 2328, known as "Calvin's Law," creates new safety requirements for children under 10 riding as passengers on motorcycles or motortricycles. It prohibits operators from allowing children under 10 to ride unless the vehicle has a proper passenger seat and the child can place both feet on foot pegs (with medical exemptions allowed), and requires all under-10 passengers to wear helmets meeting state standards. The law directly affects motorcycle operators transporting young children and sets fines up to $100 for violations, with stops permitted solely to check compliance. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not impose criminal penalties for these specific violations.
SB 1567 - This act establishes the "Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program" to provide standardized driver education instruction and training for pupils in grades 9-12. The program shall include instruction on the safe operation of motor vehicles, the rules of the road, and applicable motor vehicle laws, including Missouri's driver licensing system. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall receive and review sample instructional lessons from recognized statewide professional organizations and school districts and shall make approved sample lessons available to school districts and charter schools. Beginning with the 2027–28 school year, school districts and charter schools may implement a plan adopting the program and may utilize the sample lessons provided by DESE. The program shall promote knowledge, attitudes, habits, and skills necessary for safe driving; address distracted driving as a significant traffic safety concern; explain law enforcement procedures during traffic stops; and provide current data regarding risky driving behaviors. Districts may require pupil participation in program-related lessons within existing courses, as provided in the act. The program shall not require pupils to physically operate a motor vehicle; nor shall the program be construed to prohibit school districts or charter schools from offering other elective driver education courses. This act is substantially similar to HB 2195 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON
HB 2170 updates Missouri's child passenger safety requirements, requiring drivers to secure children under 16 in appropriate restraints based on age, weight, and height. Specifically, children under 3 must use rear-facing seats (with limited manufacturer exceptions), those under 4 must use a restraint regardless of weight, children under 8 and under 40 pounds must use a restraint, and children aged 4-8 who weigh 40+ pounds but are under 4'9" need a booster seat. Violations for the first four categories are minor infractions punishable by up to $50 fines, but drivers can avoid penalties by purchasing a compliant restraint before court. The law excludes school buses (for students 4+ on buses with 11+ seats) and public carriers, and includes a public education program to support compliance.
HB 2907 modifies outdoor advertising rules near highways in Missouri. It permits signs within 660 feet of interstate, federal-aid primary, or National Highway System roads in industrial/commercial zones or unzoned commercial areas, while prohibiting rotating lights, flashing displays (except scoreboards), and signs that obstruct traffic views. The bill sets strict limits: maximum sign size of 800 square feet (30 ft tall, 72 ft long), requires 1,400 feet between signs on the same highway side, and mandates proper lighting shielding to prevent driver glare. These rules directly affect outdoor advertising companies and property owners near designated highways.
HB 2753 creates "hospital zones" where counties or municipalities can designate areas around hospitals, adding enhanced penalties for driving offenses occurring there. Drivers who endanger pedestrians in these zones face 4 points on their license (standard for minor offenses), while more serious violations carry 12 points (typically reserved for severe offenses like DUI). This directly affects drivers who commit traffic violations - such as reckless driving or failure to yield - within designated hospital zones. The bill modifies Missouri’s point system to specifically increase penalties for offenses near hospitals, without changing general traffic laws outside these zones.
