It has been very busy the first two weeks here in Jefferson City. Where last year it slowly ramped up, this year the pedal has been to the floor since we started. Shout out to Dent County with them being awarded a financing package from the Missouri Development Commission (MHDC). We supported this last year but were not selected. This year we received the needed votes for the project at Spring Creek Ridge, a 40 unit affordable and senior housing development that will be a combination of state and federal low-income tax housing tax credits and an MHDC home loan. Here are a few of the bills that have gone to committee.

Gender Transition Procedures and Athletic Eligibility

The House Committee on Emerging Issues heard HB 2033, HB 1854, HB 1672, and HB 1608, which relate to health care restrictions for minors regarding gender transition procedures. These bills would repeal existing expiration dates on prohibitions against prescribing or administering puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones for the purpose of gender transition for individuals under 18. Several of the measures establish timelines after which prescriptions issued prior to August 28, 2023, would no longer be considered valid.

HB 1663, HB 1973, and HB 1607 address student participation in school athletic competitions. These bills would remove the current expiration date on existing law that limits participation in athletics competitions based on a student’s biological sex as indicated on the student’s birth certificate, with limited exceptions.

Public Safety and Law

Committees considered HB 2358 and HB 2889, which address the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death. HB 2358 would expand the offense to include situations in which a person delivers or distributes a controlled substance knowing it is mixed with another controlled substance, including conduct occurring outside Missouri that would constitute the offense if committed in-state.

HB 2889 would remove the requirement that a person know the substance was mixed in order for the offense to apply.

HB 2498 would make several changes related to juvenile justice procedures. The bill would modify fingerprinting requirements for juveniles taken into custody for offenses that would be reportable if committed by an adult and repeal provisions limiting identifying information provided to the central repository. It would authorize courts to hold hearings to determine whether a juvenile should be certified to stand trial as an adult upon motion by a prosecuting authority and require juvenile officers to consult with prosecutors in cases where certification may be applicable. The bill would also expand reporting requirements to the central repository, make certain juvenile records accessible to criminal justice agencies, and establish new criminal penalties for adults who knowingly encourage or cause a child to engage in certain unlawful conduct, as well as for parents or guardians who recklessly fail to exercise reasonable control over a child who becomes a repeat offender.

HB 1908 and HB 2337 would prohibit pregnancy status from preventing a court from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

Elections and Voting Procedures

HB 1871 would reinstate Missouri’s presidential preference primary election and establish administrative timelines and procedures for conducting the election, with costs to be paid by the State. The bill would expand in-person no-excuse absentee voting, adjust candidate filing periods, modify testing timelines for voting equipment, expand the use of provisional ballots, and update rules related to write-in candidates. Additional provisions include confidentiality requirements for certain absentee ballot applicant lists, changes affecting federal and absentee voters, increased distance requirements for electioneering near polling places, and updates to election-day procedures for local election authorities.

Education and Student Participation

HB 2748 would expand physical activity requirements in public schools by requiring students in grades K–12 to participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, extend recess requirements to all grade levels, and require at least one 20-minute recess period. The bill includes an emergency clause.

HB 2682 would revise current law governing student expression in K–12 public schools by expanding protections to include political and ideological expression in addition to religious expression. The bill would prohibit discrimination against student clubs based on viewpoint and establish enforcement mechanisms, while preserving school authority to regulate speech or conduct that is not protected by the First Amendment or that materially disrupts school operations.

HB 2776 would allow the State Board of Education to issue temporary teaching certificates to individuals with an associate degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program. Applicants must pass the Missouri general education assessment and complete a background check. The temporary certificate would let them work for up to two years in public schools as a substitute, paraprofessional, or teacher. The bill also sets requirements for full licensure, including mentorship, professional development, and passing either a subject-area assessment or the state-approved teacher evaluation

Missouri Department of Revenue Warns of Inaccurate Vehicle Registration Reports

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is clarifying inaccurate reports claiming changes to vehicle registration and inspection requirements would take effect January 1, 2026. Several outlets have released information reporting Missouri, beginning January 1, 2026, will no longer require vehicle inspections and will expand vehicle registration options allowing drivers to select longer registration periods for vehicles.

Contrary to these reports, Missouri law regarding vehicle inspections and registration periods has not changed.

The department noted that similar proposals have been introduced in past legislative sessions but were never enacted. DOR urges the public and media to rely on official communications and the department’s website for accurate information on motor vehicle laws, registration, and inspections. For details, visit dor.mo.gov.

Thanks for your support and allowing me to serve you in Jefferson City.

God Bless,

John