HB 2302 -- INMATE RELEASE FROM THE CUSTODY OF DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (Oehlerking)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions

This bill requires the Department of Corrections to provide certain inmates, as specified in the bill, with relevant documentation to assist in obtaining post-release employment.

The Department must coordinate with the Department of Revenue to provide a state-issued identification card if the inmate does not have a current one.

Nine months prior to an inmate's release from custody, the Department of Corrections will determine whether the inmate has a current state ID and, if not, begin gathering the required documentation to receive one. A certified birth certificate and a Department of Corrections-issued record card will be valid identification documentation for an inmate to obtain a state ID

State-issued ID cards issued with a record card from the Department of Corrections must be valid for a period of six years and are nonrenewable and nontransferable.

The Department of Corrections can utilize any funds to cover the purchase of ID cards, including but not limited to, inmate trust funds, existing funds of the Department, and donations.

The Department must provide an inmate with the types of documentation specified in the bill to assist in post-release employment.

The bill specifies that a delay in obtaining the documents required by this bill must not be cause for a delay in an inmate's release through probation or parole.

This bill is similar to HB 2502 (2024).

HCS HBs 2592, 2787 & 2834 -- VOTER QUALIFICATIONS (Stinnett)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions

Currently, a person on probation or parole for a felony conviction is not entitled to vote until he or she is finally discharged. A person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage is permanently barred from voting.

This bill allows a person on probation or parole to vote, unless they were convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage.

This bill is similar to HB 617 (2025).

The act designates the first week in February as "Black History Week". Instruction relating to Black History Week shall be taught to students in 6th grade and up during a week determined by each school district. The act lists the topics that shall be covered in such instruction, such as chattel slavery in the United States, the Civil Rights Movement, and significant black people in American history.

DESE shall develop a curriculum framework of instruction for studying black history based on the instructional topics specified in the act. Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, DESE shall conduct a pilot program to test the impact of the curriculum framework. The pilot program shall include up to 25 school districts or schools within a district. Participating districts and schools shall determine the minimum amount of instruction time that qualifies as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of the act and shall provide a plan of professional development for teachers. Upon completion of the pilot program, DESE shall report the results to the General Assembly. The curriculum framework shall be made available to all school districts beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, and all school districts shall participate in Black History Week by the 2029-2030 school year.

This act is identical to SB 132 (2025) and similar to SB 1432 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

SCS/SB 1001 - This act creates various new provisions relating to homeownership.

AMERICAN DREAM TAX CREDIT AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

(Section 143.1155 and 443.1010)

This act establishes the American Dream Savings Account Act. Beginning January 1, 2027, any individual may open a savings account and designate the account as an American dream savings account to be used to pay or reimburse a qualified beneficiary's eligible expenses, as defined in the act.

This act also creates an income tax deduction for taxpayers who make contributions to such savings account. The deduction shall not exceed the taxpayer's Missouri adjusted gross income for the tax year the deduction is claimed and shall not exceed $5,000 or $10,000 for married individuals filing jointly. Each taxpayer claiming the deduction shall file an affidavit with the income tax return verifying the amount of their contributions.

An account holder shall designate a beneficiary of the account no later than April 15 of the year following the tax year in which the account was opened.

The maximum amount an individual may contribute to an account in a single tax year is $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a couple filing a joint tax return. The maximum amount of all contributions to an account for all tax years is $30,000. An account shall not contain more than $30,000.

The title of any home purchased with moneys from an account may not transfer for at least two years, absent reasonable circumstances.

Moneys withdrawn from an account shall be subject to recapture and penalties if the moneys are used for any purpose other than those specified in the act.

No financial institution shall be required to designate an account as an American dream savings account in its contracts or systems, to track the use of moneys withdrawn from an account, or to report any information that it is not otherwise required to by law.

The income tax deduction created by this act shall sunset December 31, 2032, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.

These provisions are substantially similar to the "First-Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit and Savings Account (HB 1796, 2018), which expired in August, 2024.

AMERICAN DREAM ACT

(Section 442.703)

The act creates the "American Dream Act." Institutional buyers, as that term is defined in the act, are prohibited from owning more than 100 single-family residential properties within Missouri. Institutional buyers are required to submit annual reports to the Secretary of State, with such information as stipulated in the act. Failure to file the required report may result in a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 per violation.

The Attorney General is given authority to investigate and enforce compliance with this act. If, upon filing of a cause of action by the attorney general, a court finds that a single-family residential property was acquired in violation of this section, the court shall order the sale of the property within ninety days of the order. The court may additionally order such injunctive relief or any other remedy provided by law, as deemed appropriate. If an institutional buyer has been found by a court to be in violation of this act on 3 or more occasions, the court may fine the institutional buyer in an amount of $50,000 per occasion.

This provision does not apply to any entity engaged in the development or construction of residential properties or developments, or any affiliates thereof, provided the entity or affiliate is not otherwise a subsidiary or affiliate of an institutional buyer.

This act contains a severability clause.

SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1033 - This act provides that motor vehicle emissions inspection requirements shall not apply to motor vehicles over 10 years old that are registered as local commercial vehicles and used for farm or farming transportation operations, or that are otherwise defined as "covered farm vehicles" under federal law.

This act is identical to SB 200 (2025) and SB 1306 (2024).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

HB 1625 -- OFFENSES INVOLVING THE TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS (Haley)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Crime and Public Safety

Currently, the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death contains the element that the person who commits the offense knows that the controlled substance is mixed with another controlled substance. This bill removes that element.

This bill amends the offenses of drug trafficking in the first degree and drug trafficking in the second degree.

Currently, trafficking drugs in the first degree is a class B felony if the person knowingly distributes, delivers, manufactures, or produces, or attempts to distribute, deliver, manufacture, or produce more than 10 milligrams of fentanyl or carfentanil. It is a class A felony if the amount is 20 milligrams or more.

Trafficking drugs in the second degree is a class C felony if the person knowingly possesses or has under his or her control, purchases or attempts to purchase, or brings into this State more than 10 milligrams of fentanyl or carfentanil, and is a class B felony if the amount is 20 milligrams or more.

This bill amends the quantities of fentanyl for the offense of trafficking of drugs, in the first and second degree, as follows:

(1) Drug trafficking in the first degree is a class B felony for more than three but less than 14 milligrams of fentanyl;

(2) Drug trafficking in the first degree is a class A felony for at least 14 milligrams of fentanyl;

(3) Drug trafficking in the second degree is a class C felony for more than three but less than 14 milligrams of fentanyl;

(4) Drug trafficking in the second degree is a class B felony for at least 14 milligrams of fentanyl.

Under the offense of trafficking drugs in the first degree, trafficking any amount of carfentanil up to .05 milligrams is a class B felony, and trafficking more than .05 milligrams is a class A felony. Under the offense of trafficking drugs in the second degree, trafficking any amount of carfentanil up to .05 milligrams is a class C felony, and trafficking more than .05 milligrams is a class B felony.

HCS HB 2355 -- MO HEALTHNET WAIVER FOR NUTRITION SERVICES (Jones (88))

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Health and Mental Health

This bill establishes the "Food is Medicine Act", requiring the Department of Social Services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, within the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, for a Section 1115 demonstration waiver to implement the "Food is Medicine" program.

The program must be designed to improve health outcomes for MO HealthNet participants with nutrition-related chronic diseases through nutrition services.

The bill specifies the covered nutrition services under this program, and specifies that whenever feasible, the MO HealthNet Division, within the Department of Social Services must prioritize the inclusion of community-based organizations and local growers to support the purchase of locally grown food.

HCS HB 2481 -- SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (Gragg)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on General Laws

This bill prohibits individuals that are not United States citizens or nationals from receiving assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or through MO HealthNet, unless those individuals meet Federal definitions of "eligible alien" and "qualified alien".

The bill modifies what proof must be submitted at the time of application to include proof that the applicant is a United States citizen, United States national, or alien with an immigration status eligible for public benefits. The bill repeals an existing provision of law that prohibits employees of agencies of state or local government from inquiring about the legal status of a custodial parent or guardian applying for a public benefit on behalf of his or her dependent child who is a citizen or permanent resident.

Current law provides that applicants who cannot provide proof required under current law can sign an affidavit under oath attesting to citizenship or classification as a lawfully admitted alien. This bill adds that the affidavit must attest to such applicant's eligibility for public benefits. Currently, an applicant who has provided the sworn affidavit described is eligible to receive temporary benefits for 90 days under certain conditions. This bill modifies that time frame to be the minimum period required under Federal law, or 90 days if no minimum period is required under Federal law.

The bill provides that failure to submit acceptable documentation establishing United States citizenship, national status, or alien status eligible for public benefits will result in denial or termination of public benefits, and that no additional period of eligibility for temporary benefits will be granted to any applicant that has previously been denied public benefits at any time due to a failure to verify citizenship, national status, or alien status eligible for benefits.

Currently, after an applicant's lawful presence has been verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program through the United States Department of Homeland Security, no additional verification is required. This bill repeals that provision and provides that the system utilized for verification will include, but not be limited to, the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program. This bill requires the MO HealthNet Division to include a field for citizenship or immigration status on all presumptive eligibility applications, and that no such application will be approved unless the applicant certifies his or her status as a United States citizen, national, or alien with eligible status for public benefits. Additionally, the bill requires the MO HealthNet Division to require hospitals, clinics, and other qualified entities that are authorized to conduct presumptive eligibility determinations to collect and transmit attestations of citizenship or eligible immigration status to the MO HealthNet Division.

The bill provides that if any agency administering public benefits is unable to determine an applicant's or enrollee's lawful presence after authorized verification, the agency is required to suspend approval or continuation of benefits and refer the case to the Department of Homeland Security or other appropriate Federal agency.

The bill requires the Department of Social Services, when administering SNAP benefits, to consider the entire income and financial resources of any individual rendered ineligible to receive benefits under the provisions of this bill when determining the eligibility and benefit allotment of the household of which the individual is a member, and not to prorate or exclude the income or financial resources of ineligible individuals. All such income and resources will be fully considered.

This bill requires the Director of the Department of Social Services to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to authorize the State to operate SNAP in a manner that prioritizes healthy foods and nutritional value, and supports Missouri agriculture. The Director is required to explore and recommend strategies to incentivize the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and Missouri-produced meat and dairy products within SNAP through existing Missouri healthy food education and access programs.

The bill requires an applicant applying for benefits with minor children to provide documentary proof of relationship to the children or proof of financial responsibility for said children.

HCS HB 2682 -- PERSONAL EXPRESSION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Chappell)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on General Laws

This bill renames the "Missouri Student Religious Liberties Act" to the "Missouri Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act". The Act adds political and ideological expression to the current protections for public school students' religious expression.

The bill additionally prohibits discrimination against student clubs on the basis of their religious, political, or ideological viewpoints or any requirement that the members of the club adhere to the club's sincerely held beliefs, comply with the club's conduct standards, or further the club's mission, as such mission is defined by the club.

This bill must not be construed to limit school districts' ability to restrict speech that is not protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; speech that is so offensive that a student is effectively denied equal access to educational opportunities; or conduct that intentionally, materially, and substantially disrupts school operations or the expressive activity of another individual in a campus space exclusively reserved for such activity.

Any person or student organization harmed by a violation of this Act will have a private cause of action against the school, as specified in the Act. Any person or student organization aggrieved by a violation of this Act may assert such violation as a defense or counterclaim in any disciplinary action or in any civil or administrative proceeding. The State waives immunity under Federal law and consents to be sued in Federal court for claims arising under this Act.

This bill is similar to SB 909 (2026).

HB 3146 -- BALLOT SUMMARY STATEMENTS (Simmons)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Elections

This bill increases the word limit on summary statements for ballot measures proposed by the General Assembly from 50 to 100 words, excluding articles.

The bill requires, for all measures except initiative petitions, challenges to official ballot titles or fiscal notes to be brought in the Cole County Circuit Court not later than the 22nd Tuesday prior to the general election at which the measure will be submitted to voters.

If, after a challenge, a summary statement is found to be sufficient and fair, the court must order the statement to be placed on the ballot. If the statement is found to be insufficient or unfair, the circuit court can make suggested revisions but will order the Secretary of State (SOS) to prepare a new summary statement that is sufficient and fair. The SOS can be ordered to write up to three revised summary statements and the court will determine whether they are sufficient and fair. If any of the revised statements are determined to be sufficient and fair, that summary statement will appear on the ballot, subject to any appeals. If, after submission of a third revised summary statement, the court still finds it to be insufficient and unfair, or if the SOS neglects or refuses to submit any of the revised summary statements within the times mandated when ordered, the court will write its own summary statement that is sufficient and fair and order it to appear on the ballot, subject to any appeals. Throughout this process, the SOS will have a shorter time to rewrite language in an election year than in a non-election year.

Unless an action challenging a summary statement isn't fully adjudicated within a certain number of days before the election, an appellate court that concludes that the summary statement was insufficient or unfair shall remand the summary statement to the circuit court for further proceedings. The appellate court can offer suggestions for new language, but it cannot itself modify the statement.

If the action isn't fully adjudicated within a certain number of days before the election, an appeal to the supreme court can be permitted. If, upon appeal, the supreme court concludes that the summary statement was insufficient or unfair, it can offer suggestions for new language, but it cannot itself modify the statement. The Supreme Court will also have to remand the judgment to the circuit court for further proceedings.

Current law requires all actions challenging ballot titles for statewide ballot measures to be fully and finally adjudicated no less than 56 days prior to the date of the election at which they will appear on the ballot. This bill extends that period to 70 days prior to the date of the election.

The bill specifies that once the SOS certifies the official ballot title, signatures can be collected, even if the ballot title is subject to an action in court challenging its sufficiency and fairness. Signatures gathered prior to a court order changing the ballot title will not be invalidated based on the fact that the title was modified.

This bill is similar to SB 22 (2025).

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Special Committee on Redistricting by a vote of 6 to 3.

This resolution commends the United States House of Representatives for passing the SAVE Act and urges the United States Senate to follow suit.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that only citizens should be entitled to vote, and proving citizenship is a straightforward and easy process. Additional safeguards to ensure that only citizens are voting increases confidence in elections and far outweighs any inconvenience this may entail. This proposal enjoys widespread and bipartisan support among the public.

Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Davis; and Arnie C. Dienoff.

OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that this is a solution in search of a problem. Not all people entitled to vote will have access to the documents necessary to prove citizenship. This could disenfranchise eligible voters without providing tangible benefits to elections.

Testifying in person against the bill were Suzanne Opperman; American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri; Alison Kaiser; Marilyn Mcleod; Atsuki Mori; and Karen Sicheneder.



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.

HCS HJR 154 -- MO HEALTHNET (Chappell)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Legislative Review

If approved by voters, this constitutional amendment would require the Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division to implement work requirements for applicable individuals, as defined in the bill.

Applicable individuals must demonstrate compliance with the work requirements for the month preceding the month during which the individual applies, and no applicable individual will remain enrolled in MO HealthNet unless compliance has been demonstrated. The bill specifies that those seeking an exemption from the work requirements must provide documentation for the exemption sought.

The Department is prohibited from seeking or implementing any additional optional exemptions provided for by federal law, unless a general statute law expressly authorizes the implementation of the exemption. Additionally, the Department is prohibited from accepting exemption designations, approvals, or determinations by a managed care organization.

Currently, the Department is required to take all actions necessary to maximize federal financial participation in funding medical assistance. This bill repeals that requirement.

Currently, no greater or additional burdens or restrictions on eligibility or enrollment standard, methodologies, or practices can be imposed on persons eligible for MO HealthNet services than on any other population eligible for medical assistance. This bill repeals that restriction.

HCS HB 1869 -- REPAIRING AND RESETTING GRAVE MARKERS FOR DECEASED VETERANS (Roberts)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces

This bill creates the "Veterans' Grave Marker Trust Fund" for the purpose of repairing or reseting grave markers for deceased veterans at cemeteries located in this State that have been damaged by natural causes.

The Commission must establish a grant program to provide reimbursement for the repairing or resetting of certain grave markers of deceased veterans. The Commission will award a grant for reimbursement if the deceased veteran:

(1) Has served at least 180 days as an active-duty member of the U.S. military service or died while on official military duty status as an active-duty member;

(2) Was discharged under honorable conditions and was never convicted of a State or Federal criminal offense or any capital criminal offense;

(3) Did not die under circumstances that would bring discredit upon the military services or the State; and

(4) Is buried or interred in a privately owned cemetery or burial plot within this State.

The bill requires the Commission to establish and post on its website the contents of the grant application, and the procedures and timelines by which property owners may apply for grants.

The Veterans' Commission will award grants on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of the grant to be awarded will be equal the actual cost expended to repair or reset the grave marker but cannot exceed $2,500.

HCS HBs 2120 & 1698 -- SCHOOL ANTIBULLYING POLICIES (Black)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education

This bill modifies Section 160.775, RSMo, by establishing "Sawyer's Law".

The bill defines the terms "act of school violence" or "violent behavior", "crime", and "zero-tolerance disciplinary policy".

The bill requires any school bullying policy to include a restriction on zero-tolerance disciplinary policies for any student who is a victim of bullying. A statement regarding any student who engages in self defense must be considered by the school district or charter school administration when determining any disciplinary action for a student who was responding to an act of school violence or violent behavior committed against the student. The bill requires charter schools to adopt and school districts to update current school bullying policies.

This bill requires that all reported incidents be submitted in writing and that the results of an investigation include a description of any interventions, initiatives, techniques, or discipline provided to all students involved on a standardized form developed by the district.

The policy is required to outline a procedure for responding to an investigation that finds an act of bullying has occurred. The procedure must include notifying the parents of the bullying student and students committing acts of bullying being included in educational trainings and prevention initiatives.

The bill requires the policy to outline annual mandatory training for any district employee and volunteer who has contact with students; training on appropriate interventions and associated liability for action or inaction must be included in the training. This bill requires the school administration to report monthly to the school board all acts of bullying, discipline for bullying, and all other disciplinary referrals. The school board must review the monthly report in a closed meeting and address concerns related to reported incidents within 30 days.

The bill provides immunity from liability for any school district employee and volunteer who intervenes in an incident of school violence, violent behavior, or criminal actions against any student that is a victim of bullying; the bill specifies that the employee must follow the proper procedure and act in good faith to intervene under the defense of justification provided under Chapter 563.

The bill provides protection from civil liability for any school district or charter school for disciplinary actions if the procedures were properly followed and if a suit is brought the school may recoup attorney's fees if they prevail. This bill requires that, for reporting requirements for mandated reporters under Section 210.115, bullying, incidents of school violence, and crime are considered abuse and required to be reported, with protections provided for reporting compliance. The bill prevents charter schools from expelling or transferring a student out of the school solely due to reports of bullying.

This bill is similar to HB 351 (2025).

HCS HBs 2387 & 2480 -- The Presidential Preference Primary (Banderman)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Elections

This bill reinstates the presidential preference primary election, to be held on the first Tuesday in March of each presidential election year.

A person who files to be included on the presidential primary ballot is not prohibited from filing as a party candidate for nomination to another office.

Specific deadlines for administrative actions by local election authorities and the Secretary of State that are necessary to hold the presidential preference primary are specified in the bill.

Candidates will be required to pay a filing fee to the state committee of the established political party on whose ballot they wish to appear. The amount of the fee will be determined by the state committee of each political party.

The conduct of the presidential preference primary and the count and canvass of the votes cast must conform as nearly as possible to that prescribed for the primary election for state officers.

All costs of the presidential preference primary, except for proportional costs for any political subdivision or special district holding an election on the same day, will be paid by the State.

The results of the presidential preference primary will be binding for the purpose of allocating and directing the votes of party delegates and alternate delegates. The political parties must allocate delegates in proportion to the certified statewide and congressional district results of the election, unless a national party rule requires an alternative allocation method, in which case the allocation must conform as nearly as possible to the election results.

Delegates will file a written pledge with the Secretary of State affirming that they will vote for the candidate to whom they are bound under for at least the first ballot. A delegate who fails to give or violates the pledge will be deemed to have resigned immediately. An alternate delegate pledged to the same candidate will fill the vacancy. The Secretary of State must certify the results of the presidential preference primary and is authorized to promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this bill.

This bill is similar to HB 367 (2025).

HCS HBs 2637 & 3155 -- TERMS OF SENTENCING (Black)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Judiciary

The bill repeals a provision that does not consider an offender's first incarceration in a Department of Corrections long-term substance abuse program or 120-day program as a previous prison commitment for the purpose of determining a minimum prison term. The bill repeals provisions related to conditional release.

The bill adds to the definition of "dangerous felony": abuse through forced labor; labor and sex trafficking; sex trafficking of a child; and a third violation of failure to register as a sex offender. The bill removes the requirement that the victim of statutory rape in the first degree or statutory sodomy in the first degree be under 12 years old at the time of the commission of the offense for the offense to be a dangerous felony, and it clarifies that an offender convicted of a dangerous felony must serve 85% of the imposed sentence prior to being eligible for parole. The bill increases the minimum terms of imprisonment for rape in the first degree and statutory rape in the first degree.

The bill amends provisions related to minimum prison terms as follows:

(1) For a class A felony, an offender must serve 70%;

(2) For a class B felony, an offender must serve 50%;

(3) For a class C felony, an offender must serve 40%; and

(4) For a class D or E felony, an offender must serve 25%.

When a person is sentenced to an authorized term of imprisonment for a higher class than the offense for which the person was found guilty, the person will also be sentenced to the parole eligibility percentage of the higher class. The bill provides calculations for when consecutive or concurrent sentences are imposed by the court.

The bill modifies provisions related to credit for time served, including requiring the court to, when pronouncing sentence or executing a suspended sentence or suspending the imposition of a sentence, record the number of days the person spent in prison, jail, or custody due to the offense after the offense occurred and before the pronouncement of the sentence or the suspension of imposition of the sentence. The jail time credit calculation will be pronounced at the time of the judgment, execution of a suspended sentence, or the suspension of imposition of sentence. Upon motion by the defendant, the court can also award jail time credit for any person who was held in a juvenile detention facility for an offense for which the person was subsequently certified to stand trial as an adult.

Currently, a sentencing court can, upon petition, reduce a term of sentence or probation or conditional release if the person is not a prior offender, a persistent offender, or an unclassified offender as defined in the section related to minimum terms of imprisonment. This bill repeals that authorization.

HCS HB 2741 -- COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES (Caton)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Transportation

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS (Section 302.733)

This bill requires an operator of a commercial motor vehicle to speak English sufficiently to:

(1) Converse with the general public;

(2) Understand highway traffic signs and signals in English;

(3) Respond to official inquiries; and

(4) Make entries on reports and records.

These requirements must be interpreted consistently with Federal motor carrier safety regulations.

The bill creates the offense of operating a commercial motor vehicle without sufficient English language proficiency. Drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle and fail to demonstrate the required proficiency:

(1) Commit a class D misdemeanor for a first offense and a class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense, and a class D felony for a third or subsequent offense;

(2) Must not operate a commercial motor vehicle in this State until they are able to meet the English language proficiency requirement; and

(3) Must pay a fine of $1,000. A commercial motor carrier whose driver is found to be in violation of the English language proficiency requirement must pay a fine of $3,000.

A commercial motor carrier must be notified of the location of any commercial motor vehicle involved in a violation of the English language proficiency requirement.

Upon payment of the $3,000 fine, the commercial motor carrier can present a qualified driver to take possession of the vehicle. If the commercial motor carrier is unable to either pay the fine or present a driver within 12 hours after notification, the owner of any cargo being transported by the commercial vehicle must be notified and allowed to arrange for a transfer of the cargo. Neither the State or the owner of the cargo will be liable for any reasonable action to transfer the cargo.

NONDOMICILED COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES (Section 302.735)

The bill requires a person holding a nondomiciled commercial driver's license or nondomiciled commercial instruction permit within this State to possess a valid work visa or provide proof of citizenship to validate his or her identity while operating a commercial motor vehicle. Proof of citizenship must be demonstrated through presentation of a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or valid passport. A driver found to be in violation of these documentation requirements will be guilty of a class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000, or imprisonment of no more than 90 days, or both. Such a driver will be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle in the State until they possess the required documentation.

This bill provides that a commercial motor carrier whose driver violates the documentation requirements will be subject to a fine of $3,000.

Upon payment of the $3,000 fine, the commercial motor carrier can present a qualified driver to take possession of the vehicle. If the commercial motor carrier is unable to either pay the fine or present a driver within 12 hours after notification, the owner of any cargo being transported by the commercial vehicle must be notified and allowed to arrange for a transfer of the cargo. Neither the State or the owner of the cargo will be liable for any reasonable action to transfer the cargo.

The bill specifies that nothing in these requirements will be construed to require State and local law enforcement to independently determine immigration status beyond verification of compliance with applicable Federal commercial motor vehicle regulations.

UNLAWFUL OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE (Section 302.738 and 302.739)

The bill creates the offense of unlawful commercial motor vehicle operation if a driver operates a commercial motor vehicle while not authorized under applicable Federal law to engage in employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator within the United States. A person guilty of this offense commits a class D misdemeanor for a first offense, a class B misdemeanor for a second offense, and a class D felony for a third or subsequent offense. However, any such offense that is discovered after a "major violation of traffic law", as that term is defined in the bill, will be a class D felony.

A person guilty of this offense must be placed out of service until compliance with Federal law is demonstrated.

This bill also provides that commercial motor carriers operating in this State will have an affirmative duty to ensure that each driver operating under their authority within the State is authorized under applicable Federal law to engage in employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator within the United States.

A commercial motor carrier that permits or dispatches a driver to operate in violation of Section 302.736, RSMo, must pay a civil penalty of at least $15,000 per violation. If a violation results in the serious physical injury of another person, the penalty must not be less than $25,000. If a violation results in the death of another person, the penalty must not be less than $50,000. Upon a second violation within a five-year period, the commercial motor carrier's authority to operate within the State may be suspended for up to one year. Upon a third violation within a five-year period, the commercial motor carrier's authority to operate within the State can be revoked.

The bill provides that a commercial motor carrier that has been assessed a fine or prohibition remains liable for such fine or prohibition regardless of any change in business name, structure, ownership, or formation of a new entity. Any successor entity with substantial continuity of ownership, management, officers, directors, or operations with the violating carrier will be jointly and severally liable for the unpaid fine and subject to the same prohibitions and out-of-service requirements. The Department of Transportation must not issue, renew, or transfer any commercial vehicle registration, authority, or license to any such successor entity until all fines are paid in full and compliance with the requirements in this bill is achieved. The commercial motor carrier also includes any entity using the same or affiliated United States Department of Transportation number or motor carrier number as the violating carrier.

The bill specifies that nothing in these requirements will be construed to require State and local law enforcement to independently determine immigration status beyond verification of compliance with applicable Federal commercial motor vehicle regulations.

SCOTT SVAGERA