1420 Creek Trail Dr.

Jefferson City, MO. 65109
}

Mon - Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm

Sat./Sun. Closed
w

Call Us

573-635-6001

Public Affairs Committee Report – March 2026

March Public Affairs Committee Report
By Heath Clarkston

 

Half-Cent Sales Tax for Capital Improvements Extension on April 7 Ballot
Since 2007, voters in Cole County and Jefferson City have supported a local sales tax to improve and expand our local infrastructure and this key tax will be on the April 7th ballot. At the February General Membership Meeting, Citizens for Proposition A discussed the upcoming 10-year renewal and noted all the projects that have been funded in Cole County due to this important stream of revenue.

Reminder, this tax is levied in both the county and city, so, upon adoption in the County, the City will also need to pass an extension on their August ballot. The HBA remains an ardent supporter of this needed tax for roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure. The City and County have done an excellent job laying out the use of past funds and their anticipated needs if the tax is extended. You can learn more at ImproveColeCounty.com

Numerous Issues of Interest to HBA Before the General Assembly The 2026 legislative session began on January 7th and will conclude on May 15th. This year has seen an influx of issues related to housing to which the HBA continues to monitor to ensure our industry is represented.

Below are a few of the issues moving currently:

  • Prompt Pay Laws (SB 1452 and HB 1915)
    • Expanding Missouri Prompt Pay Laws to include residential private contracts: Missouri laws govern the time and retainage laws between a general contractor and subcontractors for public works projects; bills filed in the legislature would expand this law to include private construction projects. The HBA has been working with other local HBA chapters to ensure this law is not expanded to home builders and is seeking exemption for all residential construction projects as the bill proponents have mainly targeted the commercial construction industry in their advocacy.

  • Immigration Enforcement on Residential Housing (SB 1288 & HB 2511)

    • Legislation has been introduced and discussed in committee that would hold a general contractor responsible for all workers on a construction site, including employees of subcontractors. The bill defines a General Contractor’s responsibility to ensure no illegal worker is on a site as they have “known or should have known” as the standard. Further, the law would provide extensive prosecutorial power by the Attorney General and immediately stop a project upon investigation as the construction permit would be pulled and no further work may occur during investigation. This bill would allow the weaponization of statutes to stop projects across the state.

  • Local Preemption of Excessive Green Energy Codes (HB 2384)

    • Legislation has been filed at the request of the HBA of Greater Kansas City that would not allow a local jurisdiction to adopt an energy code more stringent than the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). This bill has passed the House and is currently in the Missouri Senate. This legislation was filed due to the passage of an ordinance in the City of Kansas City that adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code unamended and this has led to excessive costs for compliance and builders have seen a major slowdown in new home starts.

  • Local Building Permit Review Reform (HB 1791)

    • The House of Representatives is moving forward with a bill that requires political subdivisions to grant a building permit in a certain number of days depending on the size of the project. For a home under 7,500 square feet, a permit must be approved or denied within 30 days. If a permit is denied, the municipality must state the reasons for denial and if a municipality misses the deadlines for notice and decisions, the bill provides relief to the applicant by reducing the amount of the building permit fee. This legislation was filed by a legislator from St. Louis County and has been introduced for several years.

  • Small Employer Health Insurance (SB 1464 and HB 2596)

    • Several bills are moving forward that allow for a sole proprietor to gain access to a multi-employer health plan. Current law requires an employer to have two or more employees to qualify for small employer group health plans such as the Missouri Chamber Benefit Plan. When counting the second employee, that individual cannot be your spouse or child, and this has led to many businesses being forced to purchase health insurance from the public healthcare marketplace. In addition, providing insurance options for individuals has been a major topic for the past two sessions and last year the legislature passed and the Governor signed a bill to allow the Missouri Farm Bureau to offer health benefit plans to their members. For more information on these health benefit options, you may want to connect with one of the HBA members that offer insurance plans. Access to the Missouri Chamber Benefit Plan is currently a benefit offered with your membership to the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.