HCS HBs 1838, 1692, 1695, 1983, 2036, 2662 & 2743 -- MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTIONS (Kelley)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Government Efficiency

Currently, most motor vehicles must receive a safety inspection every two years, within 60 days of vehicle registration. Used vehicles must be inspected immediately before they are sold. Vehicles must be inspected when directed to do so by law enforcement after an accident. Prior salvage vehicles must be inspected following a rebuilding process.

Beginning January 1, 2027, this bill removes the safety inspection requirements for all motor vehicles except:

(1) Prior salvage vehicles immediately following a rebuilding process; and

(2) Vehicles directed by law enforcement to receive an inspection after an accident.

Currently, when an application is made for an original Missouri certificate of ownership for a vehicle previously registered or titled in another state or when necessary for vehicle registration as specified in Section 301.020, RSMo, a vehicle must be inspected to certify its manufacturer's identification number is correctly displayed and to certify the odometer reading at the time of inspection.

The bill authorizes employees of licensed new or used motor vehicle dealers to perform such inspections and collect the same fee as other authorized inspection stations.

HCS HBs 2097 & 1905 -- AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION (Martin)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Special Committee on Rural Issues

This bill ends the current pilot program for agriculture education in elementary schools and authorizes that beginning in the 2027-28 school year the program can be implemented by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education statewide for all elementary schools that elect to participate. The bill removes the requirement for reporting to the House and Senate committees on agriculture and education and requires the report to be posted on the Department's website.

This bill is the similar to HB 1026 and HB 1555 (2025).

HB 2422 -- USER FEES FOR RECORDING INSTRUMENTS (Haley)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Agriculture

Currently, a user fee of $4 is collected by every Recorder of Deeds in the State as a condition to the recording of any instrument or document, of which $1 is credited to the Missouri Land Survey Fund to fund the Missouri Land Survey Program. This bill increases the user fee to $5 and credits $2 to the Fund.

The bill also authorizes the Department of Agriculture to establish by rule fees necessary to reflect the cost of production and reproduction of certain instruments and records.

HB 2436 -- OFFENSES INVOLVING ANIMALS (Van Schoiack)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Agriculture



This bill changes the laws regarding offenses involving animals.

ANIMAL ABUSE OFFENSES (Sections 578.006 and 578.012)

The bill creates the offense of filing a malicious false report of animal abuse, which is a class C misdemeanor. This bill specifies that the offense of animal abuse is a class E felony if the person who has ownership or custody of an animal knowingly starves the animal. The bill also removes the requirement that any torture or mutilation inflicted on a live animal be done consciously.



OFFENSE OF ANIMAL NEGLECT (Sections 578.009 and 578.022)

The bill modifies the offense of animal neglect to include a person who has custody or ownership of an animal, other than livestock, and fails to provide adequate control.

If a person fails to provide adequate care or control that results in:

(1) Property damage, it is a class B misdemeanor, unless the damage exceeds $750, then it is a class E felony;

(2) Physical injury to a person, it is a class A misdemeanor;

(3) Serious physical injury to a person, it is a class E felony; or

(4) Death to a person, it is a class D felony.

The bill also repeals a provision allowing the court to waive all fines and penalties for the first finding of guilt if the person shows that the adequate, permanent remedies have been made.

The bill also exempts law enforcement dogs that bites or injures another animal or human in the course of their official duties from the provisions of animal neglect.



IMPOUNDMENT OF ANIMALS (Section 578.018) In its main provisions, the bill:

(1) Specifies that a law enforcement official can seek a warrant to enter private property to inspect, care for, or impound neglected or abused animals. Currently, either a law enforcement official or a duly authorized public health official can seek the warrant;

(2) Prohibits an animal from being sterilized before the completion of the disposition hearing unless it is necessary to save life or relieve suffering;

(3) Allows a third party approved by the court to care for impounded animals;

(4) Specifies that the owner of any animal that has been impounded cannot be responsible for the animal?s care and keeping prior to a disposition hearing if at the hearing, there is no finding of abuse or neglect by the court and the court orders the animals returned to the owner;

(5) Requires a reasonable bond or security to be posted within 72 hours of the disposition hearing in an amount sufficient to provide for the care of the animal and consistent with the fair market cost of boarding the animal in an appropriate retail boarding facility if the owner, custodian, or any person claiming an interest in an animal that has been impounded because of neglect or abuse would like to prevent disposition of the animal after the disposition hearing and while the criminal case proceeds. Currently, the owner, custodian, or any person claiming an interest in an animal that has been impounded because of neglect or abuse can prevent disposition of the animal by posting bond or security in an amount sufficient to provide for the animal's care for at least 30 days, inclusive of the date on which the animal was taken into custody;

(6) Specifies that all animals impounded must receive proper care as determined by state law and regulations. Any facility or organization must be liable to the owner for damages for any negligent act or abuse of the animal which occurs while the animal is in its care, custody, and control;

(7) Specifies that in the event that an animal owner is not liable for the costs incurred while the charges were pending, the costs of care and the liability for the life or death of the animal and medical procedures performed are the responsibility of the confiscating agency;

(8) Allows an owner to demand the return of the animal held in custody if he or she posted a sufficient bond and is acquitted or there is a final discharge without a conviction unless there is a settlement agreement, consent judgment, or a suspended imposition of sentence. Any entity with care, custody, and control of the animal must immediately return it to the owner upon demand and proof of the acquittal or final discharge without conviction. The animal owner must not be liable for any costs incurred relating to the placement or care of the animal while the charges were pending unless there is a settlement agreement, consent judgment, or a suspended imposition of sentence; and

(9) Specifies that any person or entity that intentionally euthanizes, other than as permissible under the provisions of the bill, or intentionally sterilizes an animal prior to a disposition hearing or during any period for which a reasonable bond was secured for the animal?s care will be guilty of a class B misdemeanor and is liable to the owner for damages including the actual value of the animal. Each individual animal for which a violation occurs is a separate offense. Any second or subsequent violation is a class A misdemeanor, and any entity licensed under state law must be subject to licensure sanction by its governing body.



IMPOUNDING OF DOGS (Section 273.100)

Currently, every city or town marshal of an incorporated city or town in the State must impound all dogs running at large without a collar and any owner must pay a fee to retrieve the dog. This bill repeals this provision of law.

This bill is similar to HB 2904, SB 1352, HB 1714 and HB 2770 (2026); HB 489 (2025).

HB 2547 -- CAMERAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY (Boggs)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Special Committee on Rural Issues

Currently, employees of a state agency or a political subdivision are prohibited from placing a surveillance camera or game camera on private property without the consent of the landowner or landowner's designee, a search warrant, or permission from the highest ranking law enforcement chief or officer of the agency under certain conditions. This bill removes the ability for the highest ranking law enforcement chief or officer to approve the placement of a camera on private property.

This bill is similar to HB 561 (2025).

HCS HB 3004 -- SALE OF WOOD PRODUCTS (Harbison)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Legislative Review

This bill prohibits a person, company, or business from selling or marketing products using the term "wood" without the product's decorative surface being made of solid wood or wood veneer. No person, company, or business can advertise or sell any part of a product marketed using wood-related terms or names of wood species if the product's decorative surface is not that wood species.

A person, company, or business may sell a product located in this state as of August 28, 2026, that is packaged in violation of this bill's provisions if the product is clearly labeled "This product is not made from wood.".

This bill is similar to SB 760 (2025) and HB 1537 (2025).

Beginning August 28, 2026, all proposed transfers of agricultural land held by an alien or foreign business in the state shall be submitted to the Department of Agriculture to determine whether such transfers are conveyed in accordance with the prohibition on foreign ownership of agricultural land under the act.

The act is identical to SB 123 (2025), HB 725 (2025), SB 786 (2024), a provision in SB 924 (2024), HB 1571 (2024), HB 2138 (2024), HB 2928 (2024), SB 144 (2023), provisions in SCS/SBs 332 & 334, 541 & 144 (2023), SB 791 (2022), HB 1947 (2022), SB 243 (2021), HB 1136 (2021), HB 1492 (2020), substantially similar to a provision in CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HB 903, 465, 430 & 499 (2023), and similar to HB 672 (2025), a provision in SCS/SB 217 (2025), a provision in SB 250 (2025), a provision in SCS/SB 734 (2024), SB 9 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

SB 883 - The act creates provisions relating to livestock reproductive specialists.

Under the act, nothing in the provisions of current law governing the practice of veterinary medicine shall prohibit any person qualified as a livestock reproductive specialist, as defined in th act, from acting under indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian while performing advanced reproductive technologies on livestock.

It is considered the practice of veterinary medicine to use any invasive procedure to remove an oocyte, in addition to any embryo as provided in current law, from an animal for the purpose of transplanting a fertilized oocyte into another female animal. Additionally, this act provides that the practice of veterinary medicine does not include a livestock reproductive specialist trained in advanced reproductive technologies to remove an embryo or oocyte from livestock for the purpose of transplanting such embryo into another female livestock animal or for the purpose of cryopreserving such embryo, or to implant such embryo into a livestock animal while under indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

A licensed veterinarian supervisor shall be responsible and liable for the acts and omissions of a livestock reproductive specialist working under his or her supervision. However, this provision shall not be construed to relieve a livestock reproductive specialist from liability for any of their own acts or omissions.

A person with certain academic credentials and having membership in certain organizations, as described in the act, may provide advanced reproductive technologies to livestock under supervision of a licensed veterinarian. A person with such academic credentials, who is not a member of a nationally recognized organization that acknowledges persons performing embryo transfer or vitro fertilization, may qualify as a livestock reproductive specialist by examination and upon successful certification examination may provide advanced reproductive technologies to livestock under supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

The act creates the "Certification Examination Committee" compromised of three members as described in the act who shall serve terms of four years and shall not exceed two terms. The certification examination and continuing education of livestock reproductive specialists shall be approved by the Committee, as described in the act.

KATIE O'BRIEN

This act modifies the definition of "foreign business" to include professional corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, or the equivalent of any entity listed in the current law, in which a controlling interest is owned or organized under the laws of a foreign country, or both.

Currently, no more than 1% of the total agricultural acreage in the state shall be owned by a foreign entity.

Under the act, beginning on the effective date of the act, no alien, foreign business, or a foreign government shall acquire agricultural land in the state. Any such foreign entity who acquired agricultural land in the state prior to the effective date of the act shall not transfer agricultural land to any other foreign entity on or after the effective date of the act.

No person may hold agricultural land as a fiduciary for a foreign government.

A foreign entity that acquired agricultural land in violation of the provisions of the act remains in violation of the act for as long as the foreign entity holds an interest in the agricultural land.

After the effective date of the act, all proposed transfers of any interest in agricultural land held by a foreign entity in the state shall be submitted to the Department of Agriculture at least 30 calendar days prior to such transfers being finalized to determine whether such transfers, or if land usage changes, are conveyed in accordance with the prohibition on foreign ownership of agricultural land in the state. Such sale or transfer submitted for review to the Department shall be deemed a closed record until such sale is finalized.

If the Director of the Department of Agriculture finds that a foreign entity has acquired agricultural land after the effective date of the act, instead of pursuant to the provisions under current law, the Director shall report such violation to the Attorney General.

This act creates a definition of "nonfarming" with respect to the current provisions regarding foreign-owned agricultural land being used for nonfarming purposes.

Additionally, beginning on the effective date of this act, no foreign adversary, as defined in the act, shall own agricultural land in the state for nonfarming purposes, which includes research purposes.

This act has an emergency clause.

This act is identical to SCS/SB 217 (2025), and similar to provisions in SB 250 (2025), HB 725 (2025), SB 806 (2024), provisions in SB 865 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1957 (2024), CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 903, 465, 430 & 499 (2023), SCS/SBs 332, 334, SB 541 & SB 144 (2023), provisions in SB 791 (2022), HB 1947 (2022), SB 243 (2021), HB 1136 (2021), HB 1492 (2020).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

This act creates a mandated reporting requirement for certain mental health, educational, protective services, and law enforcement personnel to report cases of animal abuse or neglect to a hotline established by the Missouri Animal Control Association (MACA). MACA shall provide the report of abuse or neglect to any duly-authorized law enforcement official, county or municipal animal control officer, or animal cruelty investigator. If the mandated reporter is an employee of an agency or political subdivision of the state and fails to make a report as required under this provision, the employer shall send a written notice to the employee noting the failure and providing a reminder of the requirements of reporting animal abuse or neglect. Additionally, a mandated reporter who fails to make a report shall be subject to discipline by his or her professional licensing board, as well as a fine, as described in the act.

Finally, protective services employees with direct contact with children, the elderly, and vulnerable persons shall be required to receive one hour of training within the first 60 days of employment to recognize the signs of abuse or neglect in animals.

This act is identical to provisions in SB 65 (2025), HCS/SS/SB 66 (2025), SB 655 (2025), HB 1298 (2025), and HB 325 (2025) and substantially similar to SB 995 (2024), SB 1259 (2024), SB 91 (2023), and SB 1182 (2022).

SARAH HASKINS

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act allows an investor, as defined in the act, to claim a tax credit in an amount equal to forty percent of the investor’s investment in the qualified securities of a qualified Missouri business, as defined in the act, or fifty percent of the investor's investment if the qualified Missouri business is located in a rural county, as defined in the act. If the amount of the tax credit exceeds the investor’s tax liability in any one tax year, the credit may be carried forward for up to five subsequent tax years. No investor shall receive more than seventy-five thousand dollars in tax credits in a single year for contributions to a single qualified Missouri business, and shall not receive more than three hundred thousand dollars in tax credits in total in a single tax year. A tax credit may be transferred by a qualified investor. The total amount of tax credits authorized in a single tax year by the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) shall not exceed six million dollars for the 2027 and 2028 calendar years. Thereafter, the maximum amount of tax credits that may be authorized shall be increased annually by 20%, provided that the maximum amount of tax credits was authorized in the previous year.

To be designated as a qualified Missouri business, a business shall apply to the MTC, as described in the act. The designation of a business as a qualified Missouri business shall be made annually by the MTC. In addition to other requirements described in the act, a qualified Missouri business shall not have had annual gross revenues of more than five million dollars in the most recent tax year of the business, and the business shall not have been in operation longer than five years if the business is not a bioscience business, or longer than ten years if the business is a bioscience business.

Each business that has been allocated tax credits by the MTC shall submit a report containing certain information, as described in the act, to the MTC before such tax credits are issued.

The state of Missouri shall not be held liable for any damages to an investor that makes an investment in any qualified security of a qualified Missouri business, any business that applies to be a qualified Missouri business but is turned down, or any investor that makes an investment in a business that applies to be a qualified Missouri business but is turned down.

The MTC shall annually review the activities undertaken by this act to ensure they are in compliance with the provisions of the act. If the MTC determines that a business is not in substantial compliance, it may inform the business that such business will lose its designation if it does not come into compliance within one hundred twenty days. If the business does not come into compliance, the MTC may revoke its designation. If a business loses its designation as a qualified Missouri business, it shall be precluded from being allocated any additional tax credits. However, investors in such a business shall be entitled to keep all of the tax credits properly issued prior to the loss of designation by the business.

The MTC shall report certain information annually, as described in the act, to the Department of Economic Development, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This act shall sunset on December 31, 2033, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

This act is identical to provisions in HCS/HB 235 (2025) and is substantially similar to SCS/SB 461 (2025), SCS/SB 1178 (2024), HCS/HB 2226 (2024), SS/SCS/SB 413 (2023), HB 727 (2023), SB 78 (2017), and HB 2302 (2016), and to provisions in HCS/HB 682 (2025) and HCS/SS/SCS/SB 92 (2023), as amended.

JOSH NORBERG

Nothing in this act shall be construed to grant full immunity from liability to pesticide manufacturers in the state.

The act is similar to SB 14 (2025), SCS/SB 1416 (2024), HCS/HB 2763 (2024), SCS/HCS/HB 1116 (2025), HB 544 (2025).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

Current law requires the notification of an application to form a drainage or levee district that is published in a county newspaper to include a legal description of the property included in the proposed district. This act repeals such requirement and requires the petitioners to mail a copy of the notice to each property owner located in the proposed district. (Sections 242.030 and 245.020)

This act also modifies the language to be included in the required notices of the commissioners' reports and the reassessment of benefits. (Sections 242.070, 242.500, 245.125, and 245.197)

Finally, current law provides a period of ten days for property owners to file exceptions to the formation of districts and to the commissioners' reports and assessment of benefits. This act increases such period to thirty days. (Sections 242.280 and 245.130).

JOSH NORBERG

Certain foreign governments or entities shall not purchase, hold or acquire title to real property in this state if such foreign government or entity is listed as a foreign adversary or a foreign business entity; headquartered in a country that is a foreign adversary; directly or indirectly held or controlled by a foreign adversary; owned the majority of stock or other ownership interest which is held or controlled by citizens of a foreign adversary; or controlled by or has the majority of stock or other ownership interest held or controlled by citizens of a foreign adversary.

This act shall not apply to a foreign adversary possessing real property interest if such foreign adversary is a duly registered business in good standing with the Secretary of State for seven years or longer prior to August 28, 2026, has been approved by the United States Committee of Foreign Investment as described in the act, and maintains an active national security agreement with the federal government.

This act is identical to SB 211 (2025), HB 897 (2025), SB 893 (2024), and substantially similar to SB 649 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

A nonprofit development organization, as defined in the act, may apply to the Department for approval for a workforce housing grant to establish a workforce housing investment fund. Grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis, and no more than one million dollars shall be awarded to any one nonprofit development organization over a two year period, and no more than two million dollars to any one nonprofit development organization for the period ending on June 30, 2029. Grants shall require matching funds in order to be awarded, as described in the act.

If a nonprofit development organization fails to engage in qualified activity within two years of receiving initial grant funding, such organization shall return the grant funds to the Department. If a nonprofit development organization fails to allocate any remaining grant funds to qualified activities within two years of the commencement of initial qualified activity, such organization shall return all unallocated grant funds.

Beginning August 28, 2031, the Department shall transfer any remaining grant funds held by the Department to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund.

Annual reports shall be filed by all nonprofit development organizations and by the Department, as described in the act.

This act is identical to SB 656 (2025) and HB 245 (2025).

JOSH NORBERG

This act modifies the definition of "foreign business" to include professional corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, or the equivalent of any entity listed in current law, in which a controlling interest is owned or organized under the laws of a foreign country, or both.

Currently, no more than 1% of the total agricultural acreage in the state shall be owned by a foreign entity.

Under the act, beginning on the effective date of the act, no alien, foreign business, or a foreign government shall acquire agricultural land in the state, including for nonfarming purposes. Any such foreign entity who acquired agricultural land in the state prior to the effective date of the act shall not transfer agricultural land to any other foreign entity on or after the effective date of the act.

No person may hold agricultural land as a fiduciary for a foreign government.

A foreign entity that acquired agricultural land in violation of the provisions of the act remains in violation of the act for as long as the foreign entity holds an interest in the agricultural land.

After the effective date of the act, all proposed transfers of any interest in agricultural land held by a foreign entity in the state shall be submitted to the Department of Agriculture at least 30 calendar days prior to such transfers being finalized to determine whether such transfers, or if land usage changes, are conveyed in accordance with the prohibition on foreign ownership of agricultural land in the state. Such sale or transfer submitted for review to the Department shall be deemed a closed record until such sale is finalized.

If the Director of the Department of Agriculture finds that a foreign entity has acquired agricultural land after the effective date of the act, instead of pursuant to the provisions under current law, the Director shall report such violation to the Attorney General.

This act creates a definition of "nonfarming" with respect to the current provisions regarding foreign-owned agricultural land being used for nonfarming purposes. Beginning on the effective date of this act, no foreign adversary, as defined in the act, shall own agricultural land in the state for nonfarming purposes, which includes research purposes.

Under the act, after the effective date of the act, an alien, foreign business, or foreign government shall not acquire agricultural land in the state for any purpose within 5 miles from any military installation or commercial establishment engaged in the development and manufacture of classified military or naval equipment.

Any foreign entity under the act who acquired agricultural land in the state, prior to the effective date of the act, that is within 5 miles from any such military or commercial establishment shall divest itself of the agricultural land.

The Attorney General shall enforce provisions of the act. Any individual may report violations of the act to the Attorney General. If the Attorney General believes that a violation occurred, the Attorney General shall commence a civil action.

The Attorney General shall file a notice of the pendency of the action with the recorder of deeds of each county where any portion of agricultural land at issue is located.

If the court finds that a violation occurred, the court shall enter an order so declaring and shall file a copy of the order with the recorder of deeds of each county where agricultural land at issue is located. The court shall order the owner of the agricultural land to divest himself of the agricultural land. The owner shall comply with the order within three years. Any agricultural land not divested within the three years period shall be ordered sold by the court at a public sale.

This act has an emergency clause.

This act is similar to provisions in SCS/SB 217 (2025), SB 250 (2025), HB 725 (2025), SB 806 (2024), provisions in SB 865 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1957 (2024), CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 903, 465, 430 & 499 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

This act is identical to HB 1228 (2023).

TAYLOR MIDDLETON

TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

Any government entity that restricts farming or ranching practices shall be held civilly liable to the farmer or rancher for injunctive and declaratory relief.

No government measure shall restrict the production, manufacturing, distribution, or sale of supplements intended for human application, absorption, or consumption, or be deemed to enforce a compulsory marketing quota, poundage quota, or similar policy restricting the production of farming or ranching.

No penalty as a result of a violation of any provision of law, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, policy, or similar measure regarding protection of the environment shall require the closure of a farming or ranching operation or restrict the consumption or sale of food products.

Except for licenses required by law before August 28, 2026, no license shall be required for an individual to operate or engage in farming or ranching.

The right to access and the ability to afford food products shall not be infringed upon by restrictions based on an individual's credit score, credit worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity, or presentation of an identification card.

Any farmer or rancher who sells food products of his or her farming or ranching operation that are fit for human consumption shall not be held civilly liable for injury or death arising from a condition of such food products if the farmer or rancher provides the following warning label: "WARNING: CONSUME AT YOUR OWN RISK".

The use of any form of environmental manipulation, as defined in the act, is prohibited in this state. This provision shall not prevent the use of pesticides on any farming or ranching operations. Any person using a form of environmental manipulation shall be held civilly liable for damages resulting from such use.

The act repeals the provision allowing the Governor to control the sale or distribution of food and feed during a state of emergency.

The Governor shall not have the authority to prevent farming or ranching, as described in the act.

The act repeals certain provisions regarding deeming certain agricultural operations as nuisances and provides that no agricultural operation or any of its appurtenances shall be deemed to be a nuisance, except for those agricultural operations or any of its appurtenances used for production of swine or swine products as described in the act, that unreasonably expand in violation of zoning laws or ordinances.

The act is identical to SB 297 (2025), SB 1318 (2024), and SB 84 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

This act is substantially similar to SB 682 (2025) and HB 1042 (2025), and to a provision in HCS/SS/SB 67 (2025), HCS/HB 828 (2025), and HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025).

JOSH NORBERG

Additionally, this act modifies the offense of animal abuse to provide that it shall be a class E felony if the suffering of an animal is the result of starvation or dehydration, in addition to torture or mutilation, and which has been knowingly, instead of consciously, inflicted while the animal was alive.

This act is substantially similar to SB 541 (2025) and HCS/HB 910 (2025).

TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

This act is substantially similar to SB 662 (2025).

SARAH HASKINS

is the result of torture or mutilation consciously inflicted while the animal is alive. This act provides that the offense is a class E felony if the purposeful or intentional injury or suffering of an animal is the result of torture or mutilation inflicted while the animal is alive or if substantial harm caused to animal is the result of starvation.

This act is similar to a provision in SB 541 (2025) and in HCS/HB 910 (2025).

TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Special Committee on Rural Issues by a vote of 12 to 0.

This bill ends the current pilot program for agriculture education in elementary schools and authorizes that beginning in the 2027-28 school year the program can be implemented by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education statewide for all elementary schools that elect to participate. The bill removes the requirement for reporting to the House and Senate committees on agriculture and education and requires the report to be posted on the Department's website.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that agriculture is a driver of the State's economy. Investing in agricultural literacy opens new interests and career paths for students and increases informed decision making as adults.

Testifying in person for the bill were Senator Washington; Missouri NEA; Missouri Pork Association; Missouri Cattlemen's Association; Missouri Soybean Association; Missouri Corn Growers Association; Missouri Farm Bureau; and Arnie C. Dienoff.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.



Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.

This act is identical to provisions in SB 277 (2025), SB 905 (2024), SB 1012 (2024), HCS/HBs 1777, 2203, 2059, & 2502 (2024), the perfected SS/SB 82 (2023), and the perfected HCS/HB 719 (2023)

SARAH HASKINS

The act modifies the membership requirements and duties of the Board, as described in the act.

The act provides that moneys credited to both the Agriculture Business Development Fund and the Missouri Wine and Grape Fund shall be used for the employment of experts in the field of distillation as deemed necessary.

Beginning August 28, 2026, all moneys collected by the Board shall be deposited into the Missouri Wine and Grape Fund.

JULIA SHEVELEVA

The act is identical to SB 790 (2025), provisions in HB 1366 (2025), provisions in SCS/SB 757 (2025).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

DHEWD shall allocate a portion of state funds designated for apprenticeship expansion to eligible urban farming apprenticeships. Priority for such funds shall be given to programs in metropolitan statistical areas, programs that partner with entities dedicated to increasing local food access, and programs that are led by or serve minority and historically underserved farming populations.

DHEWD shall annually report to the General Assembly on the progress of the Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act, including the number of registered eligible apprenticeships, the number of apprentices enrolled, and the number of credentials issued.

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act shall sunset on August 28, 2032, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

This act is identical to HB 2731 (2026).

JOSH NORBERG

This act shall sunset on August 28, 2032, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

This act is identical to HB 2731 (2026).

JOSH NORBERG