On July 9, during a bill signing ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bills (HB) 1740, 1839, and 2593 and Senate Bills (SB) 975, 1421, 1572 into law, highlighting his commitment to Missouri families, first responders, and military service members.

“The legislation I signed today strengthens the laws that protect our families, supports the men and women who serve our country and communities, and gives our state stronger tools to keep dangerous criminals off our streets,” said Governor Kehoe. “Public safety will always be this administration’s top priority.”

HB 1740, sponsored by Representative Dave Griffith and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, modifies provisions relating to driving while intoxicated.

• Establishes Bentley and Mason’s Law, creating a court-enforceable mechanism that places long-term financial responsibility on intoxicated drivers whose actions result in the death of a child’s parent or guardian.
• Enhances penalties for individuals that are criminally negligent of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and aligns with sentencing standards.
• Clarifies probation and parole rules for DWI offenses resulting in death.
• Requires at least five years in prison for some fatal DWI convictions and 10 years without probation and parole for repeat offenders whose DWI causes a death.

HB 1839, sponsored by Representative Sherri Gallick and Senator Mike Henderson, creates provisions relating to age verification on adult websites.

• Requires age verification of adult websites containing sexual material that is harmful to minors.
• Authorizes the Missouri Attorney General to enforce the new age verification requirement by imposing civil penalties on non-compliant websites.

HB 2593, sponsored by Representative Bill Hardwick and Senator Adam Schnelting, modifies various provisions relating to military affairs.

• Modifies provisions relating to the rulemaking process and eligibility for Missouri Military Family Relief Fund grants.
• Creates and outlines certain medal and ribbon programs, including counterdrug ribbons, homeland response force ribbons, and armed forces recognition medallions.
• Establishes the Cybersecurity Mission Act, authorizing the Missouri National Guard to enter into agreements with certain parties to render cybersecurity aid upon the request of the Department of Public Safety director.

SB 1421, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer and Representative Mike Jones, modifies provisions relating to public safety.

• Directs the Missouri Division of Fire Safety to establish consistent, modern, statewide fire standards for state-inspected facilities, including childcare facilities. 
• Updates requirements for drug trafficking charges.

Governor Kehoe also signed:

• SB 975, sponsored by Senator Rusty Black and Representative Jeff Farnan, modifies provisions relating to ambulance districts.
• SB 1572, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson and Representative Barry Hovis, modifies provisions relating to the public employee retirement system.

On July 9, Governor Mike Kehoe signed six economic development bills into law: House Bill (HB) 2636 and Senate Bills (SB) 834, 903, 959, 1000, and 1576.

“The legislation signed today reflects our commitment to creating new opportunities for Missouri families, businesses, and communities,” said Governor Kehoe. “From strengthening critical infrastructure and supporting key industries to expanding international partnerships and investing in economic growth, these bills will help keep Missouri moving forward. I appreciate the General Assembly for working with us to deliver results for Missourians.” 

SB 903, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson and Representative John Simmons, modifies and creates new provisions relating to telecommunications infrastructure.

• Expands the offense of purposely damaging or tampering with critical infrastructure, helping to combat the increasing theft of copper and fiber from infrastructure sites.

SB 1576, sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater and Representative Peggy McGaugh, establishes the Missouri Ireland Trade Commission.

• Creates the Missouri Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Economic Development to strengthen trade, investment, and educational and cultural partnerships between Missouri and Ireland.

Governor Kehoe also signed the following bills Thursday.

SB 1000, sponsored by Senator Brad Hudson and Representative Brian Seitz, modifies the tourism and supplemental revenue fund.

HB 2636, sponsored by Representative Bill Owen and Senator Sandy Crawford modifies provisions relating to transactions involving real estate.

SB 834, sponsored by Senator Sandy Crawford and Representative Bill Owen, creates new provisions relating to mortgage modifications.

SB 959, sponsored by Senator Steven Roberts and Representative Tim Taylor, creates the Missouri Geospatial Advisory Council.

On July 9, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill (HB) 2397 and Senate Bills (SB) 913, 938, 953, 1033, and 1629, reflecting his commitment to supporting agriculture and rural communities.

“Easing the regulatory burden on our agriculture community and farm families is not only the right thing to do, it’s critical to ensuring Missouri’s agriculture industry continues to thrive,” said Governor Kehoe. “Our administration will continue to work with the General Assembly to support Missouri’s farmers in doing what they do best – feeding, fueling, and clothing the world.”

SB 913, sponsored by Senator Kurtis Gregory and Representative Doyle Justus, modifies provisions relating to tax credits.

• Extends, establishes, and expands several tax credits relating to energy, infrastructure, and agriculture, including the Wood Energy Tax Credit, the Ethanol Retailers Tax Credit, the Biodiesel Retailers Tax Credit, the Biodiesel Producers Tax Credit, and the Rolling Stock Tax Credit.

SB 938, sponsored by Senator Mike Bernskoetter and Representative Willard Haley, modifies provisions relating to land surveys.

• Updates land survey recording fees to better reflect the cost of maintaining Missouri’s land survey program while increasing the Missouri Land Survey Fund allocation.
• Modernizes the county recorder fee to support local recorder operations statewide.
• Grants the Missouri Department of Agriculture rulemaking authority for reproduction and sales fees for Missouri maps, plats, reports, and records.

SB 953, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean and Representative Colin Wellenkamp, modifies provisions relating to environmental programs within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

• Clarifies current Missouri Clean Water Law permitting requirements regarding agricultural nonpoint source exemptions. 

SB 1033, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean and Representative Dane Diehl, creates provisions relating to regulation of air quality.

• Exempts motor vehicles over 10 years old that are registered as local, commercial farm vehicles or otherwise qualify as farm vehicles under federal law from vehicle emission inspection requirements.
• Modifies state permitting regulations for cotton gins to create a simpler, more efficient process.

Governor Kehoe also signed:

• HB 2397, sponsored by Representative Bob Bromley and Senator Doug Beck, modifies and creates new provisions related to programs overseen by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
• SB 1629, sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater and Representative Josh Hurlbert, modifies provisions relating to underground facilities.

On July 13, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill (HB) 3231 into law, a priority piece of legislation impacting economic development efforts across the State of Missouri.  

“Missouri is open for business, growth, and opportunity,” said Governor Kehoe. “The passage of House Bill 3231 was critical in our efforts to continue revitalizing Missouri’s main streets, central business districts, and downtowns. I want to thank the members of the General Assembly for supporting these economic development programs that lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity in communities across our state.” 

HB 3231, sponsored by Representative Brad Christ and Senator Kurtis Gregory, establishes the “Missouri Innovation, Public Safety and Accountability Act” and modifies provisions relating to financial incentives for economic development.

• Creates a new incentive within the Missouri Works program to encourage new capital investment over $50 million.
• Expands the tools available to encourage development in urban and rural communities by reauthorizing the Missouri Downtown Economic Stimulus Act (MODESA) and creating the Missouri Innovation Zone program to encourage investment in downtowns, central business districts, and main streets.
• Creates an angel investment tax credit to encourage investments in Missouri entrepreneurs and startup companies.

Governor Kehoe also signed:

• Senate Bill 916, sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger and Representative Cameron Parker, modifies provisions relating to sovereign immunity.

On July 13, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bills (HB) 2372 and 2974 and Senate Bills (SB) 878, 999, 1019, and 1233 into law, reflecting Missouri’s commitment to improving healthcare access, transparency, and protections for vulnerable populations. 

“I was proud to sign six bills into law today that will improve healthcare services for Missourians across our state,” said Governor Kehoe. “From increasing telehealth access to improving the licensing process for healthcare providers, these bills play a critical role in moving Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation Program forward. I would like to thank the members of the House and Senate for their work to protect our most vulnerable, hold insurance companies accountable, and change the landscape of healthcare access and outcomes in communities across the state.”

SB 999, sponsored by Senator Brad Hudson and Representative Brian Seitz, modifies provisions relating to vulnerable persons. 

• Creates the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” extending legal rights to infants who survive an abortion attempt.
• Expands the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board and tasks the board with tracking mortality patterns within maternity care deserts.

HB 2372, sponsored by Representative Tara Peters and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, modifies provisions relating to health care. 

• Increases access to healthcare by allowing patients to establish relationships with physicians through telehealth interactions and by reducing barriers for ambulance services to provide primary and preventative care in underserved communities via community paramedics.
• Provides patients with new protections against health insurance practices that limit access to anesthesia services and contrast-enhanced mammograms.
• Increases transparency on hospital pricing and on health insurance prior authorization practices.
• Authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services to begin tracking and reporting Alpha Gal Syndrome.

HB 2974, sponsored by Representative Melanie Stinnett and Senator Jamie Burger, modifies provisions relating to licensure reciprocity, including waivers for health care professionals providing for telehealth services and certain interstate compacts. 

• Specifies that a healthcare provider who has received license reciprocity in Missouri can provide telehealth services within the profession’s scope of practice.
• Allows physician assistants to practice across participating states without obtaining additional licenses.

Governor Kehoe also signed:

SB 1233, sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent and Representative Mike McGirl, modifies provisions relating to activities requiring licensure.

SB 878, sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater and Representative Bennie Cook, modifies provisions relating to pharmaceutical drugs and devices.

SB 1019, sponsored by Senator Sandy Crawford and Representative Jim Kalberloh, modifies several provisions relating to health care.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed the remaining legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly during the Second Regular Session of the One Hundred Third General Assembly.

“Today’s bill signings follow a thorough review of all the legislation sent to my desk this year,” said Governor Kehoe. “I appreciate the efforts of the men and women of the One Hundred Third General Assembly during one of the most productive legislative sessions in recent history. I look forward to continuing to work with legislators in the years ahead to make Missouri even safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

Governor Kehoe signed the following 14 Senate Bills (SB) into law:

• SB 835, sponsored by Senator Sandy Crawford and Representative Lane Roberts, modifies provisions relating to court procedures
  
• SB 890, sponsored by Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman and Representative Wendy Hausman, repeals expired, terminated, sunset, and obsolete sections of law.
  
• SB 905, sponsored by Senator David Gregory and Representative Mike Jones, modifies provisions relating to a training program for Missouri rangers.
  
• SB 937, sponsored by Senator Mike Bernskoetter and Representative Rudy Veit, conveys certain state property.
  
• SB 973, sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent and Representative Chris Brown, creates and modifies provisions relating to real estate transactions.
  
• SB 977, sponsored by Senator Schroer and Representative Chad Perkins, modifies provisions relating to the application of foreign law.
  
• SB 1002, sponsored by Senator Adam Schnelting and Representative Richard West, creates and modifies provisions relating to elections submitted to the people by a school board.
  
• SB 1067, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson and Representative Ben Keathley, modifies provisions relating to civil actions based on public expression.
  
• SB 1119, sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent and Representative Jamie Ray Gragg, modifies provisions relating to the appointment and duties of commissioners to attend an Article V convention. 
  
• SB 1135, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson and Representative Cecelie Williams, creates “Bentley and Mason’s Law” relating to child maintenance orders for certain persons convicted of driving while intoxicated.
  
• SB 1408, sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger and Representative John Voss, modifies provisions relating to the speed limit on certain roads of this state.
  
• SB 1470, sponsored by Senator Mike Bernskoetter and Representative Scott Cupps, modifies duties and functions of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research.
  
• SB 1544, sponsored by Senator Maggie Nurrenbern and Representative Mike Jones, modifies provisions relating to state designations.
  
• SB 1553, sponsored by Senator Kurtis Gregory and Representative David Casteel, authorizes incentives for producing certain critical materials and pharmaceuticals.
  

Governor Kehoe also signed the following 22 House Bills (HB) into law:

• HB 1696, sponsored by Representative Mazzie Christensen and Senator David Gregory, modifies provisions relating to the care of vulnerable persons. 
  
• HB 1825, sponsored by Representative Danny Busick and Senator Sandy Crawford, modifies provisions relating to county finances. 
  
• HB 1827, sponsored by Representative Terri Violet and Senator Steven Webber, modifies provisions relating to disabled license plates and placards, with penalty provisions.
  
• HB 1840, sponsored by Representative Sherri Gallick and Senator Jamie Burger, modifies provisions relating to communication involving persons with disabilities.
  
• HB 1867, sponsored by Representative Lane Roberts and Senator Jill Carter, modifies provisions relating to transient guest taxes.
  
• HB 1871, sponsored by Representative Peggy McGaugh and Senator Sandy Crawford, modifies provisions relating to elections.
  
• HB 1940, sponsored by Representative Peggy McGaugh and Senator Mike Henderson, modifies requirements relating to publication of notices.
  
• HB 2057, sponsored by Representative Jeff Vernetti and Senator David Gregory, modifies provisions relating to the establishment of certain entertainment districts.
  
• HB 2108, sponsored by Representative Dave Griffith and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, authorizes the conveyance of certain state property.
  
• HB 2292, sponsored by Representative Holly Jones and Senator Tracy McCreery, modifies provisions relating to abuse and neglect reporting by certain professionals.
  
• HB 2366, sponsored by Representative Jeff Vernetti and Senator David Gregory, modifies provisions relating to employment, with penalty provisions..
  
• HB 2474, sponsored by Representative John Voss and Senator Mike Henderson, creates new provisions relating to public contracts.
  
• HB 2508, sponsored by Representative Chris Brown and Senator Brad Hudson, modifies provisions relating to entities regulated by the Secretary of State.
  
• HB 2576, sponsored by Representative John Black and Senator Nick Schroer, creates a several new state designations.
  
• HB 2586, sponsored by Representative David Casteel and Senator Jill Carter,  modifies provisions relating to credit unions.
  
• HB 2596, sponsored by Representative Peggy McGaugh and Senator Sandy Crawford, modifies provisions relating to health benefit plans.
  
• HB 2818, sponsored by Representative Brenda Shields and Senator Rusty Black, modifies provisions relating to annexation procedures for cities.
  
• HB 2819, sponsored by Representative Brenda Shields and Senator David Gregory, modifies provisions relating to sales transaction rounding.
  
• HB 2885, sponsored by Representative Barry Hovis and Senator Mike Henderson, modifies provisions relating to the Water Patrol Division.
  
• HB 2896, sponsored by Representative Chris Brown and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, modifies provisions relating to education.
  
• HB 3080, sponsored by Representative Louis Riggs and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, modifies provisions relating to facilities of historic significance. 
  
• HB 3279, sponsored by Representative Brenda Shields and Senator Sandy Crawford, modifies provisions relating to the Missouri community service commission.