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7 hours ago

Bill to remove $75/hour cap for attorney fees in agency proceedings wins backing in committee hearing Rep. Cameron Parker and supporters told the Judiciary Committee that removing the statutory $75-per-hour cap for attorney fees in agency proceedings would improve access to counsel; attorneys and the Missouri Bar testified in favor at the hearing on House Bill 28-65.

A new bill aims to eliminate the outdated $75/hour cap on attorney fees, paving the way for better access to legal counsel for professionals in Missouri—could this be the change we need?

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#MO #LegalReform #AccessToJustice #CitizenPortal #AdministrativeFairness #MissouriLawyers

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8 hours ago

Rep. John Martin presents resolution to create a Missouri Seal of Civic Recognition for students House Concurrent Resolution 31 would establish a tiered Seal of Civic Recognition for students in grades 6–12 administered through DESE and the civics and patriotic work group; proponents argued it would incentivize civic engagement while some members urged simplified rollout and fiscal safeguards.

Missouri is on the verge of honoring student civic engagement with a new tiered Seal of Civic Recognition—could this be the catalyst for a wave of active citizenship among youth?

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#MO #CitizenPortal #EducationInitiatives #CivicRecognition #YouthEmpowerment

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8 hours ago

Permit timelines proposed to speed housing construction; amendment adopted House committee substitute for HB 17-91 would require local issuance of building permits within 30 days (60 for larger tracts) with appeals and certification requirements; the floor adopted an amendment requiring code-enforcement staff certified in adopted national codes.

New legislation aims to slash housing costs by enforcing strict timelines for building permits, but could local governments handle the pressure?

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#MO #CitizenPortal #MissouriHousing #BuildingPermits #LocalGovernment #HousingCosts

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8 hours ago

House votes to restore historic preservation tax credit language struck down by courts HB 30-80 would restore the 2024 historic preservation tax credit language that was later struck down; sponsors and members said credits are vital for recovery and renovating historic downtowns and nonprofit projects.

The House has taken a bold step to revive the historic preservation tax credit, a lifeline for revitalizing communities and supporting essential projects that were left in limbo.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #MissouriHistoricPreservation #CommunityRecovery

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8 hours ago

Sponsor presents 'Show Me America 250' resolution to tourism committee; members ask about scope and safeguards State Representative Dean Vanskoik presented House Concurrent Resolution 52 urging Missourians to participate in 250th anniversary events on July 4, 2026 and throughout the year; members clarified there is no fiscal note and expressed support while raising concerns about appropriation by extremist groups.

Missouri's House Concurrent Resolution 52 aims to unite residents in celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, but concerns about potential extremist takeovers raise questions about the true spirit of patriotism.

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#MO #MissouriPatriotism #CivicParticipation #CitizenPortal

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8 hours ago

Representatives propose Missouri‑specific civics materials; students and teachers back video and classroom resources House bills (HB 34‑83 and HB 35‑32) ask the General Assembly to create Missouri‑specific civic education materials — potentially including videos — for public schools; sponsors and multiple educators urged teacher involvement, suggested third grade and high school targets, and estimated modest production costs.

Missouri lawmakers are pushing for new civic education materials, including engaging videos, to help students understand how a bill becomes a law.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #CivicEngagement #DigitalResources #MissouriEducation

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8 hours ago

Bill to authorize multidisciplinary adult‑protection teams wins state agency backing; committee questions confidentiality and funding Representative Becky Lobinger presented House Bill 3,278 to create a statutory framework for multidisciplinary adult protection teams to improve interagency coordination and information‑sharing for vulnerable adults; DHSS and existing MDTs support the bill, and committee members asked about meeting frequency, conflict‑of‑interest protections and whether it creates new positions or funding requirements.

A new bill in Missouri aims to protect vulnerable adults by establishing multidisciplinary teams that streamline investigations of abuse and neglect—could this be the key to better safeguarding our seniors?

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#MO #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #ElderCare

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8 hours ago

House committee adopts substitute to broaden workplace‑violence bill, votes to recommend passage The House Health and Mental Health Committee adopted a committee substitute to House Bill 3,401 that broadens the bill’s language (removing a specific reference to “bodily fluid”) to ease prosecution in healthcare security incidents, then voted the substitute do pass, 16–0.

Missouri's House Health and Mental Health Committee just took a bold step to enhance workplace safety by adopting a critical substitute to House Bill 3,401, making it easier to prosecute security incidents in healthcare settings.

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#MO #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal

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8 hours ago

House education committee adopts substitute to name campus liaisons for foster and McKinney‑Vento students The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education adopted a House Committee Substitute for HB 27‑22 requiring higher‑education institutions to designate a liaison (to be housed in financial aid offices) for foster care, McKinney‑Vento and unaccompanied youth; the substitute passed committee 13–2.

Missouri's education committee just took a major step to support foster care and homeless students by designating on-campus liaisons to ensure they get the aid they need!

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#MO #CitizenPortal #FosterCareSupport #HigherEducation #StudentAccessibility #MissouriEducation

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8 hours ago

Sen. Brad Hudson presents bill to curb abusive website-access suits; business groups back changes, lawyers flag good faith concerns Sen. Brad Hudson urged passage of legislation aimed at stopping targeted "sue-and-settle" website-access lawsuits. Business groups and chambers supported a narrower standard and broader entity coverage; attorneys told the committee that a good faith standard is fact-driven and likely evaluated by trial courts.

Sen. Brad Hudson is pushing a bill to stop the "shake-down" tactic of abusive website-access lawsuits that target businesses and nonprofits, but concerns around the legal standards remain.

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#MO #CivicAccountability #LegalReform #CitizenPortal #MissouriBusiness #BusinessProtection

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8 hours ago

Missouri House adopts cross-reporting bill to link animal, child and elder-abuse investigations Lawmakers adopted a committee substitute for HB 22-92 to require cross-reporting among agencies when companion-animal, child or elder abuse may be occurring; the measure includes training provisions, agricultural exemptions and amendments to clarify enforcement and investigative roles.

Missouri takes a bold step by adopting a bill that links investigations of animal, child, and elder abuse to enhance protection for all vulnerable beings.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #ChildProtection #ElderAbuise #MissouriCommunity #AnimalWelfare

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8 hours ago

Missouri House orders xylazine ("tranq") classified as a Schedule III controlled substance Lawmakers voted to perfect House Bill 18-81 to make xylazine a Schedule III controlled substance, citing severe tissue damage and public-safety risks while emphasizing protections for legitimate veterinary and agricultural uses.

Missouri lawmakers are taking a stand against the dangerous drug xylazine, known as "tranq," by moving to classify it as a Schedule III controlled substance to protect public health while still supporting legitimate veterinary needs.

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#MO #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal

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8 hours ago

Supporters urge insurers to cover 12‑month contraception supply; insurers raise cost and dispensing concerns Supporters including medical associations and reproductive‑health groups told the House Health and Mental Health Committee that covering a year’s supply of self‑administered hormonal contraception would improve adherence and reduce unintended pregnancies; the Missouri Insurance Coalition opposed the bill citing cost concerns and uncertainties about pharmacy dispensing and refill statutes.

Supporters of HB 2,370 argue that allowing a 12-month supply of hormonal contraception could dramatically reduce unintended pregnancies, but insurers raise concerns about costs and legal hurdles.

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#MO #ReproductiveRights #HealthcareAccess #MissouriContraception #CitizenPortal

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8 hours ago

Missouri House advances committee substitute to clear path for small modular nuclear reactors The Missouri House adopted a committee substitute intended to lift a state ban on construction-work-in-progress treatment for nuclear plants, aiming to make the state eligible for small modular reactor projects; opponents warned it shifts financial risk to ratepayers and raised safety and waste concerns.

The Missouri House just voted to lift a ban on small modular nuclear reactors, sparking heated debates about jobs, safety, and financial risks for ratepayers.

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#MO #EnergyInnovation #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #PublicSafety #MissouriNuclear

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8 hours ago

Committee hears proposal to raise court-automation fee from $7 to $10 and add CPI escalator At a public hearing, Rep. David Dolan presented House Bill 3,443 to increase the court automation surcharge from $7 to $10 with a CPI escalator; Eric Jennings (Judicial Conference of Missouri) supported the measure, citing decades-old fee levels and system usage statistics and explaining fiscal-note assumptions including a $14,000,000 estimate and a 51% conservative collection-rate assumption.

Missouri lawmakers are considering a proposal to raise the court automation fee from $7 to $10, citing skyrocketing usage and costs—could this be the change needed for a more efficient judicial system?

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#MO #CitizenPortal #MissouriCourts #CourtAutomation #JudicialFunding

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8 hours ago

Sponsor seeks voter-approved public-safety tax for Lexington after fatal gas explosion; committee hears mixed views Rep. Terry Thompson asked the committee to let Lexington place a public-safety sales tax on the local ballot after a deadly gas explosion; supporters called it necessary and limited in scope, while a state public advocate opposed adding new taxes during statewide budget strain.

After a tragic gas explosion claimed a life in Lexington, a proposed public-safety sales tax could soon be on the ballot, but not everyone agrees with the plan.

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#MO #LocalGovernmentAction #CitizenPortal #TaxationTransparency #CommunitySafety #LexingtonPublicSafety

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8 hours ago

Companion bills would protect teachers acting to protect students; House adopts companions House companion bills HB 29-13 and HB 32-28 would authorize (not mandate) certain school employees to intervene to protect students and provide statutory protections when interventions follow district-approved training and policies.

Missouri's new companion bills empower school staff to intervene in violent situations, ensuring their protection while prioritizing student safety.

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#MO #MissouriSchools #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicSafety #TeacherProtection

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8 hours ago

Bill would let cities ask voters to raise water service-line fee from $12 to $24; municipal official says most cities would seek $15–$18 Rep. Terry Violet presented HB2732 to allow municipalities to ask voters to raise the annual water service-line assessment cap from $12 to up to $24 to cover rising repair costs; Saint Peters administrator Bill Malek testified cities need the higher cap to keep programs solvent and still allow voters to opt in.

A proposed bill could double your water service-line fee to $24, but local officials say it's necessary to keep vital repair programs afloat.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #PublicUtility #CommunitySustainability #MissouriWater

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8 hours ago

Committee hears bill to clarify tracer‑wire rules for sewer and storm lines A House utilities committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1629, which clarifies when costly tracer wire is required for underground sewer and storm installations. Sponsor Sen. Travis Fitzwater and industry witnesses said the language is meant to prevent unnecessary costs while preserving damage‑prevention practices.

Senate Bill 1629 aims to clarify tracer wire requirements for underground utilities, potentially saving homebuyers from unnecessary costs while ensuring safety remains a priority.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #InfrastructureReform #MissouriUtilities #CostEfficiency

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8 hours ago

Local Government Committee advances two committee substitutes; SB975, HB3496 approved in executive session In executive session the committee adopted a substitute and voted the House committee substitute for Senate Bill 975 (16–0) and approved a committee substitute for House Bill 3496 (15–1). Both measures were reported "do pass."

Missouri's Local Government Committee just advanced crucial legislation, passing significant changes for county officials and election authorities—what do these shifts mean for your community?

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#MO #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #MissouriLocalGovernment

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8 hours ago

Tourism committee gives three House bills 'due pass' recommendations in unanimous votes The Special Committee on Tourism voted 11-0 to recommend 'due pass' for three House bills related to Rock Island Trail communities and local recognition; motions were moved by the chair during an executive session and each recommendation passed without recorded opposition.

The Special Committee on Tourism just made waves with a unanimous 11-0 vote to push forward three crucial House bills aimed at enhancing the Rock Island Trail communities!

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#MO #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #MissouriTourism #PublicEngagement #LocalLegislation

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8 hours ago

Judiciary committee advances three substitutes, including change to child-maintenance rule The Missouri House Judiciary Committee adopted House Committee substitutes and voted 'do pass' on three bills—House Bill 19-10 (child-maintenance change tied to certain DWI convictions), House Bill 31-16 (civil jurisprudence omnibus), and House Bill 3,289 (court operations with treatment court administrator).

The Missouri House Judiciary Committee has made significant strides by advancing three crucial bills, including a pivotal change to child maintenance laws for DWI convicts.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #CourtOperations #CivilJurisprudence #MissouriJudiciary #ChildMaintenance

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8 hours ago

House approves seven-year deduction to spur broadband expansion; floor narrows purpose language HB 27-11 would reduce the assessment rate for broadband infrastructure investment from 33% to 12% for seven years; floor amendments added language specifying the purpose is to promote expansion of fiber and broadband services and addressed whether upgrades within existing territories qualify.

Missouri's House just approved a bold new measure to slash broadband investment rates from 33% to 12%, aiming to expand fiber and internet access across the state!

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#MO #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #EconomicDevelopment #InfrastructureInvestment #MissouriBroadband

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8 hours ago

Sen. Ben Brown presents bill to bar counties from reclassifying single‑family short‑term rentals as commercial State Sen. Ben Brown told a committee the Senate substitutes for bills "10 66" and "10 88" would prevent county assessors from reclassifying single‑family short‑term rental homes as commercial property (which some assessors have taxed at 32% versus the 19% residential rate). Lawmakers questioned an in‑person consultation requirement and whether a 15‑property cap can be circumvented.

State Senator Ben Brown is fighting to protect single-family short-term rentals from being unfairly taxed as commercial properties, a move that could save owners thousands.

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#MO #MissouriShortTermRentals #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #HousingFairness #PropertyTaxation

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8 hours ago

Committee hears bill to delay tax increases on home improvements for four years State Rep. Carolyn Caton introduced HB 2,923 to exempt qualifying home improvements from increased property taxes for up to four years, with a $7,500 minimum and $75,000 cap; witnesses said the measure could ease post-disaster rebuilds and encourage repairs, but members pressed for assessor input and clarity on senior-freeze interactions.

State Rep. Carolyn Caton’s new bill aims to shield homeowners from property tax hikes for four years after making improvements, but will it really encourage post-disaster rebuilding?

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#MO #CitizenPortal #DisasterRelief #MissouriHomeowners #HomeImprovement #TaxReform

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8 hours ago

Votes at a glance: committee advances substitute for HB 3351/HB 3371 and reports Senate substitute for SB 903 In executive session the House Committee on Utilities adopted a substitute combining House Bills 3351 and 3371 and voted to report it do pass (17–0). The committee also voted 17–0 to report a Senate substitute for the Senate committee substitute for SB 903 after a brief summary of theft/damage provisions for wireline copper.

The House Committee on Utilities just passed two crucial measures aimed at protecting vital infrastructure with unanimous support—what's next for these bills?

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#MO #InfrastructureProvisions #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LegislativeProcess #MissouriUtilities

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8 hours ago

Senate adopts substitute to create MSHA oversight commission for limited appeals The Senate adopted and perfected a substitute for senate bill 8 63 to create an Oversight Commission that will hear limited appeals from the Missouri State High School Activities (MSHA) process, place administration under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and have Attorney General representation for commission litigation.

The Missouri Senate has taken a major step by adopting a revised bill to establish an Oversight Commission, aiming to streamline appeals and enhance transparency in high school activities.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #TransparencyInGovernance #MissouriOversight

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9 hours ago

Votes at a glance: bills taken up and outcomes on the Missouri Senate floor During the session the Senate approved multiple measures by voice or recorded count: House Bill 29-34 (consolidation of regional convention/sports authority) and House Bill 24-23 (division of finance substitute) were passed; several senate substitutes were perfected and printed including Senate Bill 15-53 and Senate Bill 11-96.

The Missouri Senate just passed several pivotal bills, including a major consolidation of the Regional Convention Authority and new workforce funding initiatives that could reshape economic growth in the state!

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#MO #ConsumerProtection #CitizenPortal #MissouriGovernance

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9 hours ago

Senator from Callaway advances solar‑farm substitute, prompting property‑rights scrutiny Senate sponsor presented a substitute to create a statewide regulatory framework for industrial solar farms — removing county permitting, tying tax rates to land productivity and adding decommissioning and eminent‑domain protections — and laid the bill on the informal calendar after extended debate about tax mechanics and fairness.

A Missouri senator's new bill could reshape the landscape for industrial solar farms, balancing property rights with regulatory clarity—will it spark a showdown between developers and local communities?

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#MO #EnergyRegulation #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment

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9 hours ago

House Committee on Government Efficiency advances SSSB 889 after executive-session vote In an executive session the House Committee on Government Efficiency voted 9–6 with 2 present to give SSSB 889 (by Sen. Coleman) a do-pass recommendation. Members debated cleanup language and a proposed health-benefit amendment pegged at about $80–90 million in savings; one member voted present.

The House Committee on Government Efficiency just gave a do-pass recommendation to SSSB 889, sparking debates over potential savings and legislative cleanup.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #MissouriGovernment #LegislativeCleanup #HealthBenefits #GovernmentEfficiency