Public Affairs Committee Report
By Heath Clarkston
Missouri Legislature Begins the Second Half of the 2025 Session
On Monday, March 24th, the Missouri General Assembly returned from their annual spring break and now have eight weeks remaining before they end on May 16th at 6:00 pm. Big issues remain on the agenda of the Republican leadership including legislative to address the recently passed ballot questions of Proposition A (minimum wage and sick leave) and Amendment 3 (restrictions on abortion services). The focus for the upcoming weeks will be on the House passage of the fiscal year 2026 state operating budget that is approximately $53.7 billion. The House and Senate must agree upon a budget before the constitutional deadline of May 8th.The state fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th.
Several bills of interest are moving that the HBA of Missouri is following closely include:
• HB 245 – Creates the workforce housing investment fund
• HB 497 – Relates to workers compensation
• HB 596/SB 507 – Prohibits local ordinances on methods of payment for rental housing
• HB 780 – Assessed valuation on residential real property
• HB 939 – Limits local ordinances on green energy codes
• HB 1086 – Classification on residential property used for short-term rentals
• HB 1264 – Relates to development plan requests before local governments
• HB 1309 – Building Permit Reform Act (construction performed by owner)
• HB 1316 – Prohibits local ordinances on registration of residential property for rental
• SB 8 – Unemployment benefits based upon unemployment rate
• SB 31 – Statewide Mechanical Contractor Licensing
• SB 133 – Underground Facilities (MO One Call)
• SB 478/HB 596 – Real Estate Brokers
• SB 481/HB1177 – Homeowner Associations
Jefferson City Council Election on April 8th
Jefferson City will hold an election on one-half of their Council seats on April 8th in the municipal election. For the election, only two wards will have contested races, and they include ward 3 and ward 4. A new entrant into city politics is Shane Kampeter who is running unopposed in ward 5.
The final candidate list is as follows:
First Ward: Jeff Ahlers (incumbent)
Second Ward: Aaron Mealy (incumbent)
Third Ward: Derek Thomas and Erica Choinka
Fourth Ward: Julie Allen and Kathryn Harness
Fifth Ward: Shane Kampeter
Post-Consumer Paint Recycling Legislation Progressing This Year
The House Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources convened Monday, March10th to discuss HB 1216, sponsored by Representative David Dolan (R-Sikeston). The bill requires producers of architectural paint to establish a paint recycling program and submit the program to the Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, if a paint producer does not implement or participate in a recycling program, they may not sell their paint in Missouri. The American Coatings Association, and the MO Municipal League supported the bill and stated this legislation is a result of numerous years of conversation to address the abundance of paint cansillegal disposed of in Missouri. No opposing testimony was presented. Informational testimony was presented by the Missouri Product Dealership Council who provided information on the recycling program to committee members.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy, and the Environment met Tuesday morning to discuss SB 239, sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger (R-Benton). The bill is the Senate companion to HB 1216, highlighted above. Committee discussion and testimony mirrored the House hearing.
Bill Aimed at Speeding Up Local Decisions on Development Projects Moves Forward
The House Government Efficiency Committee voted “do pass” on House Committee Substitute for HB 1264, sponsored by Rep. David Casteel (R-High Ridge) on Tuesday, March 11th. The committee vote was 14-3. HCS HB 1264 requires a political subdivision, as defined in the bill, to approve or deny an applicant request for property development, as defined in the bill, within 30 calendar days. If no response is received by the applicant within 30 days, the request will be deemed approved and the applicant authorized to proceed with construction. If a political subdivision denies a request, it must state in writing the reasons for denial. Information necessary to be included in the written denial is provided in the bill. If an applicant resubmits a request that was denied the political subdivision cannot issue a subsequent denial that includes additional unrelated reasons that were not specified in the initial denial. If a request is incomplete, the political subdivision must notify the applicant within 20 calendar days of receipt of the request. The political subdivision must state in writing the reason for denial of the request as incomplete, and it would be resent, according to an amendment to the bill.
Landlord – Tenant Bill Clears House and Senate Committee
On Monday March 10th, the Senate Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee met in executive session and voted do pass on HB 595 & 343, sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown (R-Kansas City). The committee vote was 5-2. HB 595 & 343 specifies that no county or city can enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that: (1) Prohibits landlords from refusing to lease or rent certain residential or commercial rental property to a person because the person’s source of income includes aid from a federal or other housing assistance program; (2) Restricts a landlord’s ability to use or consider income qualifying methods, credit reports, eviction or property damage history or criminal history, or to request such information to determine whether to rent or lease a property to a prospective tenant; (3) Limits the amount of security deposit required from a tenant; or (4) Requires tenants to receive the right of first refusal automatically. This bill allows the county or city to enter into voluntary agreements with private persons to regulate the amount of rent charged for subsidized rental properties.