I really enjoyed our break this year, and now we are back and have hit the ground running, full steam ahead! Here are some of the bills we have worked on and sent to the Senate for consideration:

House Approves $52 Billion State Operating Budget

The Missouri House has passed its version of the state operating budget, advancing a fiscally responsible plan that prioritizes core services while reducing overall spending compared to both last year and the governor’s proposal.

The House-approved budget totals $52.27 billion, approximately $1.5 billion less than the amended proposal from Governor Mike Kehoe and below the current fiscal year’s spending levels. General revenue spending is also reduced by roughly $426 million, reflecting a deliberate effort to rein in spending and align the budget with more sustainable long-term revenue expectations.

House Budget Chairman Dirk Deaton emphasized a disciplined approach focused on maintaining essential services while controlling growth in government spending. This year’s budget marks a transition from the surge in spending seen during years of federal stimulus to a more stable and sustainable fiscal path.

Even with tighter constraints, the budget makes strong investments in education. The House fully funds the K-12 foundation formula at a record $4.28 billion, maintains school transportation funding, and increases support for the Empowerment Scholarship Program to $60 million. Additional investments include funding for workforce diploma programs and student assessments, while higher education funding is maintained at current levels with a new student-centered funding model designed to better reflect enrollment trends. Missouri’s major scholarship programs (Bright Flight, Access Missouri, and A+) also remain fully funded.

The budget also prioritizes public safety and support for veterans. Continued funding for the Blue Shield program will assist local law enforcement with training and equipment, alongside additional support for academy training costs and security grants for at-risk communities. Investments in weather radar systems and ongoing improvements to veterans’ homes, including staffing and modernized health records, are included, along with new funding for veterans housing assistance and innovative treatment options for conditions such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

Beyond these priorities, the budget supports critical infrastructure with nearly $4 billion for transportation systems, strengthens the state retirement system, and restores funding for programs focused on workforce development, recidivism reduction, and community-based services. It also maintains funding for key social services, including Medicaid and rural healthcare transformation efforts, while supporting programs for victims of crime, foster youth advocacy, and substance abuse treatment. The House budget also continues funding for key programs such as MOScholars, while taking a cost-conscious approach in areas like childcare by maintaining the current, more affordable attendance-based subsidy model.

Overall, the budget reflects a balanced approach—reducing spending, maintaining fiscal discipline, and continuing to invest in priorities like education, public safety, and workforce development. The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration as the legislature works toward final passage.

“Sawyer’s Law” Strengthens School Anti-Bullying Policies

The House passed HCS HBs 2120 & 1698, known as “Sawyer’s Law,” updating Missouri’s school anti-bullying policies with a focus on protecting victims and improving accountability. The bill limits the use of zero-tolerance policies against students acting in self-defense, enhances reporting and investigation requirements, and mandates regular training for school staff. HCS HBs 2120 & 1698 also provide liability protections for school personnel who intervene in good faith and require greater oversight by school boards on reported incidents.

AI Protections and Restrictions on Artificially Generated Content

Lawmakers approved HCS HBs 2035 & 2350, establishing new guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence. The bill prohibits AI systems from being marketed as licensed mental health professionals and creates penalties for violations. It also establishes protections against the unauthorized use of a person’s likeness in explicit material and expands existing criminal statutes to include AI-generated depictions in definitions related to child pornography and explicit content. HCS HBs 2035 & 2350 aim to address emerging challenges posed by rapidly evolving AI technologies.

Restrictions Tightened on Government Use of Cameras on Private Property

The House passed HB 2547, strengthening protections for private property owners by limiting when government entities can place surveillance cameras on private land. The bill removes the ability for agency leadership to authorize camera placement without a warrant or landowner consent, reinforcing that such surveillance requires either permission or judicial approval. HB 2547 affirms property rights and privacy protections.

Innovation Districts and Economic Development Tools Established

The House passed HCS HBs 3231 & 2531, establishing the “Missouri Innovation, Public Safety, and Accountability Act” to support economic growth through the creation of innovation districts. The bill allows cities to designate a single district with a comprehensive development plan and provides new tools to attract investment, including capturing a portion of new state tax revenues generated within the district for public safety and infrastructure improvements. HCS HBs 3231 & 2531 also creates incentives for business and workforce growth, such as employer withholding retention, relocation tax benefits, and a Missouri-based opportunity zone investment mechanism, along with tax credits for office-to-residential conversions and angel investment in early-stage businesses. Additionally, the legislation establishes a Rural Missouri Development Fund to ensure broader statewide impact, while streamlining development processes and promoting long-term economic development in both urban and rural communities.

Mortgage Modification Framework Established

The House approved HB 2636, creating the “Uniform Mortgage Modification Act” to establish clear, consistent procedures for modifying existing mortgages. The bill ensures that when a mortgage is modified, it maintains its original priority and continues to secure the updated obligation without being treated as a new agreement. By clarifying these standards, HB 2636 is designed to provide greater certainty for lenders and borrowers while modernizing Missouri law governing mortgage modifications.