Missouri legislature

During the bill signing ceremony, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said the state decided to be proactive when it comes to preserving water.

The legislation takes aim at ordinances passed in Kansas City and other Missouri cities that protect tenants from discrimination based on the source of their income — especially tenants who use federal housing choice vouchers to pay rent.

The governor’s budget vetoes included money for tutoring programs, road infrastructure improvements, workforce development, food assistance and arts organizations. "These losses are huge," says Arts Asylum director Evie Craig.

Missouri state Reps. Marty Joe Murray and Colin Wellenkamp are part of the bipartisan "Missouri Future Caucus," which is looking into bills about the proliferation of artificial intelligence and disaster preparedness.

A new report has raised concerns that Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and his predecessor have failed to fill vacancies at the Missouri Ethics Commission. As a result, the state watchdog has been unable to investigate dozens of complaints of ethical misconduct.

Missouri law previously allowed school districts to choose if they wanted to allow homeschooled students to participate in school teams or other activities. Under a new law signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, districts must allow athletes to try out without taking classes.

The law mandates that "three cueing," which teaches students to read using context clues, can be used to supplement lessons, but phonics should be the majority of instruction.

Business groups lobbied heavily to overturn Proposition A, passed by 58% of Missouri voters in November 2024, arguing it would cost jobs. The bill also repeals annual inflation adjustments for the minimum wage, which have been in effect since 2006.

Legislation to restrict marriage for Missouri residents under age 18 had been stalled by Republican critics for years. The law also stops child sex abusers from using non-disclosure agreements to silence their victims.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe also signed a bill that seeks to support victims of college hazing, and a bill expanding the use of baby safe boxes.

As it did in 2023, the ACLU of Missouri is arguing that the ballot summary for a constitutional amendment on abortion is misleading and should be rewritten

Blair's Law makes it a crime in Missouri to fire a gun in a celebratory manor. The Jackson County prosecutor is encouraging people to call 911 so the office can charge offenders.