Representative Matthew Overcast Capitol Report

Greetings Friends of the 155th District!

 

This was a busy and highly productive week in Jefferson City. I had the opportunity to meet with constituents from Starling, a nonprofit trade association representing community providers that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living, working, and thriving throughout Missouri.

 

On Tuesday, the 20th, I was proud to host my first Alpha-Gal Advocacy Day at the Capitol. The turnout was incredible and demonstrated just how many Missourians care deeply about ensuring those affected by Alpha-Gal syndrome receive the attention and care they deserve. I answered questions about my sponsored legislation, HB 1855, which would standardize and require the reporting of Alpha-Gal syndrome and Lyme disease to the state. These tick-borne illnesses impact communities across Missouri, and I remain committed to advancing this legislation to better protect public health.

 

This week also marked an important legislative milestone for my bill, HB 1644, relating to joint-employer standards. HB 1644 passed out of the House Economic Development Committee with a unanimous 13–0 vote, reflecting strong bipartisan support. This legislation provides much-needed clarity for franchise and small business owners while preserving accountability where it properly belongs, and it reinforces Missouri’s commitment to a fair and predictable business environment.

 

I also met with representatives from MoANA, the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists, who are dedicated to delivering high-quality anesthesia care statewide. We discussed SB 1445, a Senate-sponsored bill they support that would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to select, order, and administer certain controlled substances as part of patient anesthesia care.

 

On Wednesday, the 21st, I hosted my second advocacy day focused on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). We discussed my legislation, HB 1635 and HB 1636, which modernize Missouri’s APRN laws to improve access to care and reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers. Both bills eliminate the geographic proximity requirement that forces APRNs to practice within a set distance of a collaborating physician, as well as the mandate for a one-month period of continuous on-site supervision. HB 1635 further allows APRNs (excluding CRNAs) to practice without a collaborative agreement after completing 2,000 documented hours with a collaborating physician—or by demonstrating equivalent experience through licensure by endorsement—and expands practice authority to include prescribing both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies. Together, these bills advance a flexible, experience-based approach that strengthens Missouri’s healthcare workforce while maintaining patient safety.

I also met with Tracy Christer, Program Director of the Hollister TIGER Academy, and Stoney Hayes, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss the importance of after-school programs and the critical role they play in supporting families, education, and enrichment opportunities for children across our state. They were at the Capitol on Wednesday for Show-Me After-School Advocacy Day.

 

As the legislative session continues to move at a fast pace, these meetings, advocacy days, and committee actions reflect the breadth of work underway at the Capitol. It’s always an honor to serve the people of District 155 at the Capitol. I look forward to a securing some big wins for our district and the great people across this state during the 2026 legislative session.

 

State Budget Officials Identify $250 Million Error in Revenue Projections

 

State budget officials told the House Budget Committee that a $250 million calculation error was discovered in Missouri’s general revenue projections for fiscal year 2027. The error stemmed from disaster relief appropriations that were inadvertently counted in both the current and upcoming fiscal years. Correcting the mistake increases the projected year-end general revenue balance from approximately $4.7 million to about $261 million.

 

Budget Director Dan Haug said the revised projection improves the state’s cash position but does not change the underlying budget challenge, noting that ongoing expenditures continue to exceed ongoing revenues. Even with the correction, the projected balance would represent the lowest year-end general revenue total since 2018.

 

Administration officials and legislative budget leaders emphasized that the updated figures do not create room for additional spending beyond the governor’s proposed budget. Lawmakers noted that final balances will depend on factors such as the pace of multi-year construction projects and actual agency spending but reiterated that fiscal restraint remains necessary as the state adjusts to declining revenues following the end of federal pandemic-era funding.

 

Legislative Work Underway

 

This week, House committees conducted hearings on a range of legislation spanning health care, elections, public safety, education, and taxation. The measures reflect a range of policy areas currently under consideration, including health care, elections, public safety, education, and taxation. Here’s a look at a few of the bills considered this past week:

 

Health Care and Abortion

 

House committees heard HB 1667 and HB 2294, which would establish the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.” The bills would require that a child born alive during or following an abortion or attempted abortion be afforded the same legal rights and medical care as any other live-born child. The proposals require health care providers present at the time of birth to provide appropriate medical care and ensure transport to a hospital and require reporting of violations to law enforcement. The measures include criminal penalties for intentional acts resulting in the death of a child born alive, as well as civil liability provisions allowing causes of action for personal injury or wrongful death under specified circumstances. The bills specify that natural and spontaneous pregnancy loss prior to fetal viability would not be considered an abortion. 

 

Public Safety and Law

 

Committees considered HB 2358 and HB 2889, which address the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death. HB 2358 would expand the offense to include situations in which a person delivers or distributes a controlled substance knowing it is mixed with another controlled substance, including conduct occurring outside Missouri that would constitute the offense if committed in-state. HB 2889 would remove the requirement that a person know the substance was mixed in order for the offense to apply.

 

HB 2498 would make several changes related to juvenile justice procedures. The bill would modify fingerprinting requirements for juveniles taken into custody for offenses that would be reportable if committed by an adult and repeal provisions limiting identifying information provided to the central repository. It would authorize courts to hold hearings to determine whether a juvenile should be certified to stand trial as an adult upon motion by a prosecuting authority and require juvenile officers to consult with prosecutors in cases where certification may be applicable. The bill would also expand reporting requirements to the central repository, make certain juvenile records accessible to criminal justice agencies, and establish new criminal penalties for adults who knowingly encourage or cause a child to engage in certain unlawful conduct, as well as for parents or guardians who recklessly fail to exercise reasonable control over a child who becomes a repeat offender.

 

HB 1908 and HB 2337 would prohibit pregnancy status from preventing a court from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

 

Elections and Voting Procedures

 

HB 1871 would reinstate Missouri’s presidential preference primary election and establish administrative timelines and procedures for conducting the election, with costs to be paid by the State. The bill would expand in-person no-excuse absentee voting, adjust candidate filing periods, modify testing timelines for voting equipment, expand the use of provisional ballots, and update rules related to write-in candidates. Additional provisions include confidentiality requirements for certain absentee ballot applicant lists, changes affecting federal and absentee voters, increased distance requirements for electioneering near polling places, and updates to election-day procedures for local election authorities.

 

Education and Student Participation

 

HB 2748 would expand physical activity requirements in public schools by requiring students in grades K–12 to participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, extend recess requirements to all grade levels, and require at least one 20-minute recess period. The bill includes an emergency clause.

 

HB 2682 would revise current law governing student expression in K–12 public schools by expanding protections to include political and ideological expression in addition to religious expression. The bill would prohibit discrimination against student clubs based on viewpoint and establish enforcement mechanisms, while preserving school authority to regulate speech or conduct that is not protected by the First Amendment or that materially disrupts school operations.

 

HB 2776 would allow the State Board of Education to issue temporary teaching certificates to individuals with an associate degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program. Applicants must pass the Missouri general education assessment and complete a background check. The temporary certificate would let them work up to two years in public schools as a substitute, paraprofessional, or teacher. The bill also sets requirements for full licensure, including mentorship, professional development, and passing either a subject-area assessment or the state-approved teacher evaluation.

 

Taxation and Revenue

 

HB 2859 would exempt certain tangible personal property, including farm machinery and motor vehicles, from personal property taxation contingent on voter approval of a constitutional amendment. The bill would also reduce assessment percentages for personal property over time, beginning in 2027 and reaching a lower permanent rate by 2041.

 

HB 2686 would exempt sales of used tangible personal property at auction from sales and use tax, with specified exclusions for titled motor vehicles, trailers, boats, and outboard motors.

 

MDHEWD Urges Missourians to File FAFSA Ahead of Access Missouri Grant Priority Deadline

 

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development is encouraging Missourians who are considering education or workforce training after high school to complete the 2026–2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ahead of the February 2 priority deadline for the Access Missouri Grant. Access Missouri is the state’s primary need-based financial aid program and can be used for a range of postsecondary education and training options. Eligibility is determined using FAFSA information, with no separate application required, and awards may be combined with other federal and state aid. During the 2024–2025 academic year, the program provided more than $82 million in assistance to over 44,000 Missourians. State officials emphasized that filing a FAFSA early helps ensure students of all ages are considered for available aid, including Access Missouri, the A+ Scholarship Program, and the Fast Track Incentive Grant. Applicants who miss the February 2 priority deadline may still be considered for Access Missouri if they file by April 1, subject to available funding.

 

Missouri Department of Revenue Warns of Inaccurate Vehicle Registration Reports

 

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is clarifying inaccurate reports claiming changes to vehicle registration and inspection requirements would take effect January 1, 2026. Several outlets have released information reporting Missouri, beginning January 1, 2026, will no longer require vehicle inspections and will expand vehicle registration options allowing drivers to select longer registration periods for vehicles. 

 

Contrary to these reports, Missouri law regarding vehicle inspections and registration periods has not changed.

 

The department noted that similar proposals have been introduced in past legislative sessions but were never enacted. DOR urges the public and media to rely on official communications and the department’s website for accurate information on motor vehicle laws, registration, and inspections. For details, visit dor.mo.gov.

 

If you ever have, any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 573-751-2042 or email me at Matthew.Overcast@house.mo.gov.  Our office is always here for you.