Representative Matthew Overcast Capitol Report

Greetings Friends of the 155th District!

 

It was another busy week here in Jefferson City. Bills are moving quickly and we have sent quite a few bills to the Senate for further consideration. I have one bill at the Senate right now and I am waiting for a hearing on it. I had two bill hearings this week.  The first one was on HB1068 which creates new provisions relating to joint employers.  This bill is set to exec out of committee next week. The second bill hearing that I had was on HB69 which modifies provisions relating to the collateral source rule. My HB952 was voted out of committee. It has one more vote that is required before it can hit the floor for a debate. I feel very thankful for all the movement my bills have received.  It has been a great time so far on this journey. I am hopeful that some of my bills for the district will start to move soon. Please reach out to me if you need anything at all. 

 

Missouri House Passes Nearly $2 Billion Supplemental Budget Bill

 

The Missouri House Budget Committee has advanced a more than $1.9 billion supplemental spending bill to fund state agencies through June 30. HB 14 includes critical funding for public schools, summer food programs for children, and senior services such as home-delivered meals and transportation.

 

A key provision is $14 million for Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), which provide essential services like meals, transportation, and personal care. Without this funding, these programs will run out of money by the end of the month.

 

The bill also allocates $142.4 million to fully fund public schools under the foundation formula. This covers increased education funding mandated by last year’s major education bill and offsets a shortfall in lottery revenue. Additionally, $103 million is designated for federally funded summer food programs for children.

 

Also included is new money for the Department of Natural Resources for wastewater management, funding for the Department of Mental Health to clear its waitlist for services for the developmentally disabled, and funding for the Department of Agriculture to hire a staff member to respond to the current bird flu epidemic.

 

Funding for developmental disability and behavioral health services was reduced by $49 million from the original $129.8 million request, reflecting updated projections showing less need by June 30. 

 

One notable cut is $11.7 million in unexpected revenue from marijuana sales, originally earmarked for the Office of the Public Defender. However, officials have assured that the office can maintain operations without these funds through the end of the year.

 

The supplemental appropriation bill includes funding requests from Governor Kehoe to cover expenses through the end of the current fiscal year. Governor Kehoe has called for an expedited process, aiming to have the bill on his desk by the end of March. 

 

With a vote of 150-2, the supplemental budget now moves to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.

 

Missouri House Passes Bill Expanding Law Enforcement Mutual Aid and Operational Flexibility

 

With a vote of 96-29, the Missouri House has passed HB 225, a bill designed to enhance the flexibility and coordination of law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions, both within the state and beyond its borders. This bill allows the chief law enforcement executive of any agency in Missouri to request assistance from law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions, including those outside the state but within the United States. The bill provides a framework for how arrests are to be handled when executed by officers operating outside of their jurisdiction. Additionally, it ensures that officers remain employees of their respective agencies for employment-related matters while working in a different jurisdiction. This measure is especially crucial as it builds the foundation for seamless cooperation between agencies in preparation for large events, such as the World Cup in Kansas City in 2026.

 

Another key provision of the bill relates to the operation of emergency vehicles. Currently, drivers of emergency vehicles are exempt from certain traffic laws, including speeding, parking violations, and disregarding stop signs, but only when the vehicle is emitting audible signals and visual lights. HB 225 expands this exemption to include police vehicles when they are gathering evidence of a speeding violation, responding to suspected crimes in progress where the use of lights and sirens could jeopardize the situation, or conducting surveillance on suspects. This change aims to enhance the ability of law enforcement to operate effectively in high-stakes environments without the restrictions of traditional emergency vehicle protocols.

 

Supporters of HB 225 argue that the bill is essential for improving law enforcement’s ability to work across state lines and to adapt their operational tactics in certain situations. By enabling police officers to work with agencies in other states and to act more flexibly during high-priority situations, the bill strengthens the overall public safety infrastructure. Additionally, as Missouri prepares for large-scale events like the 2026 World Cup, this expanded coordination will be critical for managing security and law enforcement efforts efficiently.

 

The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.

 

Missouri House Passes Bill to Reduce Personal Property Assessments and Provide Tax Relief

 

The Missouri House passed HB 629, a bill aimed at reducing personal property tax assessments and providing greater tax relief to Missouri residents. Beginning in 2026, the bill will reduce the assessment rate for personal property from 33.3% to 30% of its true value. It also prevents increases in the aggregate valuation of personal property from being counted as new construction, which affects how property taxes are calculated. Furthermore, the bill allows assessors to use multiple nationally recognized automotive trade publications, such as Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds, in addition to the NADA guide, to determine the value of motor vehicles for tax purposes.

 

Supporters argue that this measure provides much-needed tax relief by reducing the burden on personal property taxpayers. They believe that, by not allowing personal property increases to be treated as new construction, the bill prevents local governments from unjustly benefiting from rising personal property values. This change aims to bring fairness to the property assessment system by aligning personal property assessments with real estate assessments, providing balance across the tax system.

 

House Passes HB 999 to Strengthen Fairness in Property Tax Assessments

 

HB 999 introduces crucial reforms to Missouri’s property tax assessment process by ensuring counties adhere to fair and lawful assessment practices. The bill mandates that the State Tax Commission (STC) verify county property assessments remain within 80% to 100% of current market value, preventing drastic overestimations that could financially burden homeowners. If a county fails to comply with an STC order to correct improper assessments, the Department of Revenue (DOR) may withhold local sales tax revenue until compliance is achieved. The withheld funds would be held in a newly created "County Assessment Noncompliance Trust Fund" and returned to the county once proper adjustments are made. Counties may challenge noncompliance determinations in court, with wrongfully withheld funds being reimbursed with interest from the State Legal Expense Fund.

 

This bill is necessary because improperly inflated property assessments have placed thousands of Missouri families at risk of losing their homes due to unsustainable tax burdens. By creating financial consequences for counties that fail to fairly assess property values, the bill provides a strong deterrent against overreach and ensures property owners are not unfairly taxed. Supporters argue this measure is critical to protecting homeowners and preventing economic hardship for thousands of Missourians.

 

Missouri House Passes Property Tax Cap to Provide Homeowner Relief

 

The Missouri House recently passed HJR 4, a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at stabilizing property tax assessments for residential homeowners. If approved by voters, this measure would ensure that the assessed value of a home remains at its most recent previous assessment, with future reassessments capped at the lower of either 2% or the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). However, property values could still increase beyond this cap if new construction or significant improvements are made. The amendment is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and is designed to provide relief to homeowners who are struggling with rising property taxes.

 

This measure is necessary to protect Missouri homeowners—particularly younger buyers—who are being priced out of the housing market due to escalating property taxes. With a similar property tax freeze already in place for seniors, advocates believe extending protections to all homeowners is the logical next step. This amendment would provide predictability in tax obligations, helping families budget more effectively and reducing the risk of being taxed out of their homes.

 

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.