NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice

Priority: High (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

HB134 - Rep. Mike Costlow (R) - Establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Nonprofit Safety and Security"

Summary:

HB 134 -- MISSOURI TASK FORCE ON NONPROFIT SAFETY AND SECURITY (Costlow)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Emerging Issues

This bill establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Nonprofit Safety and Security" within the Department of Public Safety.

The Task Force is tasked with studying and making recommendations on the security needs of nonprofit organizations at elevated risk of terrorist attacks in Missouri. Members of the Task Force will be appointed by the Director of Public Safety, as specified in the bill. The Task Force must report at least annually to the Office of Homeland Security of its findings and recommendations with respect to terrorist attacks in Missouri.

The bill establishes the "Supplemental Nonprofit Safety and Security Fund". The Fund can be used to defray costs of security enhancements or measures, as specified in the bill, for eligible nonprofit organizations. Eligible nonprofit organizations are those organizations whose applications for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Nonprofit Security Grant Program have been approved by the Department of Public Safety Office of Homeland Security. An eligible organization can receive a grant from the Fund of up to 5% of the available grant pool.

This bill has an emergency clause.

Position:

Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

Last Action:

04/29/2025

S - Referred to committee - Senate-Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety

HB742 - Rep. Ben Baker (R) - Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Summary:

HB 742 -- EXPENDITURES BY STATE DEPARTMENTS (Baker)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Emerging Issues

This bill prohibits funds from any State department being used for intradepartmental programs, staffing, or other initiatives related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or similar initiatives that promote preferential treatment based on certain characteristics, concepts such as oppression as the sole cause of disparities, collective guilt ideologies, intersectional or divisive identity activism, and the limiting of freedom of conscience, thought, or speech.

State departments are not prohibited from following Federal and State employment and antidiscrimination laws, or complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This bill prohibits State departments from mandating, requiring, or incentivizing private sector employers to implement "diversity, equity, and inclusion" programs or initiatives as a condition for receiving a State contract.

Position:

Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

Last Action:

04/23/2025

S - Placed on Informal Calendar

Priority: Medium (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

HB443 - Rep. Sherri Gallick (R) - Modifies provisions governing the preemption of local ordinances involving employment law

Summary:

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Local Government by a vote of 8 to 6.

The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 443.

Currently, the State minimum wage law preempts political subdivisions from establishing or enforcing a minimum or living wage or requiring employment benefits that exceed State laws, rules, or regulations. This bill adds that political subdivision policies, ordinances, and resolutions may not be enacted on those topics, and extends the topics to include:

(1) Regulating the information an employer or potential employer will require or exclude on an employment application from an employee or prospective employee;

(2) Requiring an employer to provide paid or unpaid leave time to an employee; and

(3) Regulating employee hours and scheduling that an employer is required to provide.

A political subdivision may regulate employment discrimination.

This bill is similar to HCS HB 2866 (2024).

The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that employment law should be uniform Statewide and the Department of Labor should enforce employment law in a uniform way. This will preempt potentially burdensome regulations, helping businesses.

Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Gallick; Buddy Lahl, Missouri Restaurant Association; Associated Industries of Missouri; Missouri Restaurant Association; American Hotel & Lodging Association; US Chamber of Commerce; Missouri Hotel Lodging Association; and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that many of these provisions are already law. Additionally, this might have implications for first responders.

Testifying in person against the bill was Jobs With Justice Voter Action.

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.

Position:

Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

Last Action:

04/24/2025

H - Reported Do Pass as substituted - House-Local Government

Priority: Low (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

HB124 - Rep. Rudy Veit (R) - Repeals the expiration date of funding of basic civil legal services for certain persons

Summary:

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 10 to 0.

Currently, the "Basic Civil Legal Services Fund" is set to expire on December 31, 2025. The money in the Fund is used to provide legal representation to eligible low-income persons in civil matters. This bill repeals that expiration date. The bill also corrects an incorrect reference to a provision in the Missouri Constitution.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this removes the sunset provision for the basic legal funding mechanism for Legal Services. Legal Services assists people, many of whom are low income, in many areas, including in matters related to housing, restraining orders, divorces, and other areas. One witness gave examples of cases she tried regarding housing. The cases involved assisting tenants with bad landlords. Those working for Legal Services are grateful they are able to do the work they do and they appreciate the funding that allows them to continue providing their services. They have had 17,750 completed cases in 2024 across all the four legal aid organizations around the State.

Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Veit; Paula S. Green, Legal Services of Southern Missouri; Mark Rhoads, Legal Services of Missouri ; Meghan Wheeler, Legal Services of Southern Missouri; Arnie Dienoff; and Kirsten Dunham, Mid-Missouri Legal Services.

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.

Position:

Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

Last Action:

04/30/2025

H - Referred to committee - House-Rules-Legislative

HB223 - Rep. Jim Schulte (R) - Authorizes an income tax deduction for employers who pay regular wages to employees serving jury duty

Summary:

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Ways and Means by a vote of 5 to 2.

The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 223.

Beginning January 1, 2026, an employer will be allowed a tax deduction of up to 100% of regular wages paid to an employee, including self-employed individuals, serving jury duty, minus any amount of the employee's jury duty compensation remitted to the employer.

If an employer is found to have violated certain State or Federal laws affecting jury duty, that employer will be deemed ineligible for the deduction under this bill for the tax year in which the violation occurred. If the violation was discovered within one year of receiving the deduction, the employer must repay to the State the amount of tax savings realized from the deduction.

These provisions sunset on December 31st, six years after the effective date.

This bill is the same as HB 2776 (2024).

The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill allows employers to take a tax deduction if they choose to pay their employee while that employee is on jury duty. Proponents state that this bill would incentivize more people to do their jury duty.

Testifying in person for the bill was Representative Schulte.

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.

Position:

Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

Last Action:

04/29/2025

H - Referred to committee - House-Rules-Legislative

HB650 - Rep. Mark Sharp (D) - Designates February 20th each year as "John Donaldson Day" in Missouri

Summary:

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Special Committee on Tourism by a vote of 9 to 0.

This bill designates February 20th of each year as "John Donaldson Day".

This bill is the same as HB 2684 (2024).

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that John Donaldson was one of the best negro league baseball players and he was a mentor to the great Satchel Paige.

Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Sharp; Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

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.

Position:

Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

Last Action:

04/24/2025

H - Reported Do Pass - House-Rules-Legislative

SB348 - Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R) - Modifies provisions relating to tourism

Summary:

HCS/SCS/SB 348 - This act modifies provisions relating to tourism.

JOHN DONALDSON DAY (Section 9.005)

This act designates every February 20th as John Donaldson Day in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SB 303 (2025) and SB 1417 (2024).

LINKS, INCORPORATED DAY (Section 9.171)

This act designates every November 9th as "Links, Incorporated Day" in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SB 433 (2025).

OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH (Section 9.234)

This act designates September every year as "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SB 111 (2025).

EDDIE GAEDEL DAY (Section 9.292)

This act designates every August 19th as "Eddie Gaedel Day" in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SB 799 (2025) and SB 1465 (2024).

CHRIS SIFFORD DAY (Section 9.367)

This act designates August 6 each year as "Chris Sifford Day" in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SB 156 (2025), provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024), HB 1924 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and substantially similar to SB 584 (2023).

MICHAEL COLLINS DAY (Section 9.385)

This act designates every October 16th as "Michael Collins Day" in Missouri in honor of Michael Collins, an Irish revolutionary, soldier, and politician.

This provision is identical to SB 798 (2025).

EMMETT KELLY DAY (Section 9.386)

This act designates the last Saturday of April of each year as "Emmett Kelly Day" in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SB 580 (2025), HB 310 (2025) and SB 1144 (2024).

CELIA DAY (Section 9.388)

This act designates the second Tuesday of April of each year as "Celia Day" in Missouri. The teachers and students of the schools of this state are encouraged to observe the day with age-appropriate instruction regarding Celia and her story.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1512 (2024), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024).

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS WEEK (Section 9.389)

This act designates the week in which the second Tuesday of April falls each year as "Human Trafficking Awareness Week". Citizens of this state are encouraged to participate in appropriate events and activities to promote awareness of human trafficking, victim remedies and services, trafficking prevention, and the history of slavery in our state.

BELIEVE IN GIANNA DAY (Section 9.401)

This act designates November 30 each year as "Believe in Gianna Day" in Missouri. Citizens in the state are encouraged to participate in appropriate events and activities to raise awareness of Sanfilippo Syndrome, and to celebrate Gianna Wacker.

These provisions are identical to HB 604 (2025).

AMYLOIDOSIS AWARENESS DAY (Section 9.402)

This act establishes May 8 each year as "Amyloidosis Awareness Day" in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SB 304 (2025), SB 1490 (2024) and HB 2591 (2024).

KAPPA ALPHA PSI DAY (Section 9.409)

This act designates January 5 of each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" in Missouri.

This provision is identical to SCS/SB 110 (2025) and similar to provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

END NEIGHBORHOOD GUN VIOLENCE DAY (Section 9.416)

This act designates June 17th of each year as "Neighborhood Gun Violence Prevention Day" in honor of Preston Ja'mon "Tink" Jones, Sr.

This provision is identical to SB 777 (2025) and HB 1403 (2025).

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL OF MISSOURI (Section 10.254)

This act designates the City of Branson as the official "Live Entertainment Capital" for the State of Missouri.

This provision is identical to HB 109 (2025).

OFFICIAL ROCK RADIO STATION OF MISSOURI (Section 10.260)

This act designates KSHE 94.7, or "KSHE 95", as the official rock radio station of Missouri.

This provision is identical to HB 602 (2025).

TAX CREDITS FOR CERTAIN SPORTING EVENTS (Sections 67.3000 and 67.3005)

Current law authorizes a tax credit for costs incurred relating to the conduct of amateur and collegiate sporting events. This act modifies such tax credit by requiring certified sponsors to be active members of the Sports Events and Tourism Association rather than of the National Association of Sports Commissions.

This act also removes the definition of "eligible costs" and bases the amount of the tax credit on either the number of admission tickets sold or the number of registered participants.

The act requires an applicant to submit a ticket sales or box office statement, or a list of registered participants, rather than documentation of eligible costs.

The amount of the tax credit shall be equal to either $6 for every admission ticket sold, rather than $5, or $12 for every registered participant, rather than $10. The Department of Revenue shall pay the amount of the tax credit within ninety days of the applicant's submission of a valid tax credit certificate.

Current law limits the total annual amount of tax credits to $3 million, with a limit of $2.7 million for events held in Jackson County or St. Louis City. This act increases such limits to $6 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

This act extends the sunset on the tax credit from August 28, 2025, to August 28, 2031. (Section 67.3000)

Current law also authorizes a tax credit in the amount of fifty percent of an eligible donation made to a certified sponsor or local organizing committee, with the total annual amount of such tax credits limited to $10 million. This act reduces such allowable annual amount of tax credits to $5 million. This act also extends the sunset on such tax credit from August 28, 2025, to August 28, 2031. (Section 67.3005)

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 184 (2025), SCS/SB 1036 (2024), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 1483 (2024), and provisions in HCS/HB 1935 (2024).

INCENTIVES FOR INTERSTATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY RELOCATION (Section 135.1670)

Current law prohibits the issuance of incentives under the BUILD program, the new or expanded business facilities program, the Urban Enterprise Loan program, or the Missouri Works program for businesses that relocate jobs from certain counties in Kansas to certain counties in Missouri, contingent on similar action taken by Kansas.

The act modifies this prohibition to include economic incentives for professional sports teams, franchises, or organizations, and events that use or have used a facility or sports complex used by a professional sports team, franchise, or organization.

POW/MIA CPT STEVEN N BEZOLD MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 226.886)

This act designates POW/MIA CPT Steven N Bezold Memorial Highway in Montgomery County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 1106 (2025).

OZARK HIGHLANDS SPIRITS REGION (Section 226.1170)

This act provides that the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Ozark Highland Distillers Guild, shall erect and maintain suitable markings and signs designating the Ozark Highlands Spirits Region.

These provisions are identical to HB 201 (2025), provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024), provisions in SCS/SBs 1067, 1308, & 1303 (2024), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), HCS/HB 2414 (2024), and provisions in HCS/HB 2279 (2024).

FEES FOR ADMINISTRATIVELY DESIGNATED HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES (Section 227.299)

This act provides that the fee charged by the Highways and Transportation Commission for the 20-year administrative designation of a bridge or highway shall not exceed the cost of the materials needed to construct the sign, rather than the cost of constructing and maintaining the proposed signs.

The act also specifies that highways or bridges designated for certain first responders, military personnel, and state employees shall be exempt from the requirement to submit signatures and fees, rather than excluded from this designation method.

These provisions are identical to HB 841 (2025) and HB 1596 (2025).

SENATOR BILL FOSTER BRIDGE (Section 227.830)

This act designates "Senator Bill Foster Bridge" in Butler County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 37 (2025), provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024), and HB 1407 (2024).

CELIA MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.840)

This act designates "Celia Memorial Highway" in Callaway County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 1512 (2024), and substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024) and provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024).

DEPUTY MARSHAL DAVID THURMAN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.857)

This act designates "Deputy Marshal David Thurman Memorial Highway" in McDonald County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 734 (2025).

CORPORAL RICHARD E RUTHERFORD MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.875)

This act designates "Corporal Richard E Rutherford Memorial Highway" in Montgomery County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 64 (2025).

PFC BYRON LEA BROWN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.876)

This act designates "PFC Byron Lea Brown Memorial Highway" in Montgomery County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 65 (2025).

LCPL KEO JOE KESHNER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.877)

This act designates "LCPL Keo Joe Keshner Memorial Highway" in Montgomery County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 63 (2025).

POLICE OFFICER PHYLICIA CARSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE (Section 227.878)

This act designates "Police Officer Phylicia Carson Memorial Bridge" in Camden County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 107 (2025).

SERGEANT COLIN I ARSLANBAS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.879)

This act designates "Sergeant Colin I Arslanbas Memorial Highway" in St. Charles County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to SB 577 (2025) and HB 636 (2025).

LLOYD MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.881)

This act designates "Lloyd Memorial Highway" in Newton County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations.

These provisions are similar to SCS/HB 810 (2025).

POLICE OFFICER DAVID LEE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.883)

This act designates "Police Officer David Lee Memorial Highway" in St. Louis City. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.

These provisions are identical to HB 957 (2025).

THE DIVISION OF TOURISM SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE FUND (Section 620.467)

Current law establishes the Division of Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund, and provides for appropriations to the fund from certain tourism-related taxes. This act repeals such language and provides that the fund shall consist of any moneys appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, contributions, grants, or bequests from federal, private, or other sources.

These provisions are identical to SB 555 (2025), SB 1456 (2024) and to a provision in SCS/HB 2719 (2024).

HISTORIC LEGACY TRAILS OF MISSOURI (Section 620.471)

This act designates certain trails as "Historic Legacy Trails of Missouri". The Department of Economic Development shall place at least two signs along each trail, denoting the trail's status as a historic legacy trail.

These provisions are identical to HB 510 (2025) and provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2025), similar to HB 1934 (2024), and identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024).

ERIC VANDER WEERD

Position:

Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)

Last Action:

04/30/2025

H - Voted Do Pass as substituted - House-Special Committee on Tourism

Priority: No priority selected.

HB567 - Rep. Sherri Gallick (R) - Modifies provisions relating to employee compensation

Summary:

HCS#2 HBs 567, 546, 758 & 958 -- PAID SICK LEAVE FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES (Gallick)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Commerce

This bill modifies the schedule of minimum wage increases or decreases by terminating such schedule as of December 31, 2024. Currently, the minimum wage is set to be increased or decreased on January 1, 2027, and on January 1 of successive years, based on increases or decreases of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This bill repeals that scheduled adjustment.

Currently, these provisions do not apply to public employers, as that term is defined in the bill. This bill changes that applicability for public employers beginning on the effective date of this bill.

The bill repeals provisions as they relate to paid sick leave requirements, including, but not limited to, under what conditions paid sick leave must be provided by employers, prohibited actions for employers and violations thereof, recordkeeping requirements, complaint and investigative procedures, a right to a cause of action for retaliation, and confidentiality of information.

This bill has an emergency clause for the provisions that are being repealed relating to paid sick leave.

Position:

No position selected.

Last Action:

04/23/2025

S - Placed on Informal Calendar