Representative Matthew Overcast Capitol Report

Greetings Friends of the 155th District!

 

I am excited to share that our district is on the brink of positive developments. I have received encouraging news regarding a bill I have been collaborating on with Senator Hudson, which is moving closer to becoming law. I look forward to providing further details about this important legislation in the coming weeks.

 

This week, we achieved significant progress in passing legislation aligned with our priorities, including deregulation, tax reform, support for child care providers, promotion of school choice, and care for our veterans. Additionally, we firmly stood against antisemitism in our public schools and universities.

 

In our House committees, we have concentrated on essential pro-life legislation designed to protect women and children and foster a culture of life in Missouri. House Joint Resolution 73 aims to amend the State Constitution by repealing Amendment 3, pending voter approval, and adopting new language to enhance protections for Missouri families. 

 

This critical legislation includes provisions to:

- Reinstate health and safety inspections at abortion facilities.

- Return parental consent requirements for minors undergoing medical procedures.

- Mandate that physicians performing abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

- Ensure access to care for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages.

- Safeguard Missourians from medical malpractice.

- Clarify definitions and provide clear guidance on previously ambiguous language.

 

HJR 73 will also uphold current laws allowing exceptions for cases of rape, incest, medical emergencies, or fetal anomalies—protections that Missourians have indicated they want. We anticipate bringing this important pro-life legislation to the floor next week.

 

In addition, my office recently met with several House Representatives and Senators who are supportive of HB 986, which mandates the reporting of diagnosed cases of Alpha Gal to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). We hope to advance this bill from committee, through the rules committee, and onto the floor next week. However, due to the limited time remaining in the session, it’s possible that this legislation may need to be included as an amendment to a larger bill.

 

It was a pleasure to host the Tri-M Music Honor Society from Ava High School and the Forsyth Middle School Choir during Fine Arts Education Week. If you plan to visit the capitol, please reach out to my office. We love welcoming visitors from our district and would be thrilled to see you.

 

With just over a month left in the 2025 legislative session, the Missouri House of Representatives is maintaining strong momentum, having passed over two dozen bills in recent days. Below is a summary of some of the bills that have been successfully passed this week:

 

Preparing Missouri Students for the Future Through STEM Career Awareness

 

This week, the Missouri House passed HB 33, an important step toward equipping the next generation with the skills and awareness needed to succeed in a technology-driven economy by preparing high school students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The bill establishes the STEM Career Awareness Activity Program for students in grades 9–12, starting in the 2026–27 school year, to increase exposure to STEM career pathways. The program will be supported by the STEM Career Awareness Activity Fund, which will provide resources for qualified providers to enhance teacher instruction and increase student enrollment in STEM-related college programs. The bill addresses workforce development and educational equity by giving students hands-on opportunities to explore high-demand careers, preparing them for success in Missouri’s technology-driven economy.

 

Strengthening School Safety and Emergency Preparedness

 

The Missouri House has passed HB 232, a comprehensive school safety bill aimed at enhancing the protection of students and staff across the state. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, the bill requires public schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans, including the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and training school personnel in CPR and AED use. It also mandates the adoption of emergency operations plans, with guidelines for school safety, crisis management, and physical security measures such as anti-intruder door locks and bullet-resistant window film. In addition, the bill addresses behavioral risk assessments, requires CPR training for school employees, and mandates active shooter drills and the provision of safety information to students annually. Schools will also have to work closely with law enforcement to improve reporting and coordination regarding criminal offenses, with a focus on maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students.

 

Concealed Carry Permits on Public Transportation

 

The Missouri House passed HB 328 this week, a bill that makes several changes to the state’s concealed carry laws with a focus on expanding where law-abiding citizens can legally carry firearms. One of the most significant provisions in the bill allows individuals with valid concealed carry permits to carry firearms on public transportation, including buses and transit terminals—spaces where weapons are currently prohibited. The bill explicitly excludes Amtrak property and partnerships, maintaining federal restrictions in those areas.

 

Supporters of the bill argue that this is a common-sense step toward protecting citizens in vulnerable public spaces. Under current law, a person could be a legal concealed carry holder but immediately become a criminal simply by stepping onto a city bus. Proponents say this creates an unjust situation for otherwise law-abiding individuals who want to maintain the ability to defend themselves in all settings—especially in areas where law enforcement presence may be minimal or delayed. They also highlight that so-called “gun-free zones” have often been the targets of violent attacks, and that allowing responsible gun owners to carry in these places could serve as a deterrent.

 

In addition to changes regarding public transit, HB 328 also modifies the training requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit. For active-duty military members, the bill allows a pistol marksmanship recognition to count toward firearm safety training—a nod to the experience and discipline of service members. The bill also lowers the minimum age for concealed carry eligibility from 19 to 18, bringing Missouri in line with the legal definition of adulthood and recognizing the rights of young adults, many of whom serve in the military or work in high-risk environments.

 

Opponents raise serious concerns, pointing to studies suggesting that increasing the number of firearms in public spaces does not necessarily lead to greater safety and may, in fact, raise the risk of violence. They note that incidents of gun violence can occur both on and around public buses, and that more guns in these environments could escalate conflicts. Additionally, some critics argue that the bill oversteps by limiting the ability of private institutions—like churches—to maintain control over whether firearms are allowed on their premises, a move they say undermines religious freedom and property rights.

At its core, HB 328 reflects an ongoing debate in Missouri and across the country: how to balance Second Amendment rights with public safety in an increasingly complex and sometimes dangerous world.

Legalizing and Regulating Video Lottery Terminals

 

This week, the Missouri House passed HB 970, which would legalize and regulate video lottery terminals (VLTs) across the state. The bill tasks the Missouri Lottery Commission with overseeing a comprehensive licensing and enforcement structure, transforming what is now a patchwork of unregulated “gray market” machines into a fully monitored, transparent system. The bill also creates the Illegal Gaming Enforcement Fund to support the Attorney General’s office in cracking down on unauthorized gaming operations. Revenue generated through this program would be directed to benefit Missouri’s public schools, law enforcement, and veterans’ services.

 

For years, no-chance gaming machines have appeared in gas stations, convenience stores, and other businesses—operating in a legal gray area with no consistent oversight. HB 970 addresses that by implementing clear standards for safety, performance, surveillance, and underage access. Retailers and operators must be licensed, and gaming terminals will be monitored through a centralized system. Each machine will be required to pay out at least 80% of wagers in prizes, with the remaining net revenue split between the lottery (34%) and the licensed retailers and operators (66%).

 

The legislation also includes important local control measures. Municipalities and counties must affirmatively vote to allow VLTs before they can be introduced, and the bill creates a clear process for citizens to vote later to remove them if desired. In addition, so-called “gray market” machines—those operating without regulation—will be officially declared illegal.

 

The fiscal impact of HB 970 is significant. Within three years, state estimates suggest roughly $5 billion in total wagers, generating $1.1 billion in net revenue, including approximately $350 million for state programs. As part of the broader revenue plan, the bill also doubles the boarding fee at casinos from $2 to $4, with the extra funds earmarked for the Missouri Veterans Commission.

 

This bill brings long-overdue order to an industry already operating in practice. By legalizing and regulating VLTs, Missouri can crack down on illegal gaming, generate substantial new revenue, and ensure that all players—from businesses to local communities—benefit. They also highlight the economic potential: job creation, increased local tax revenues, and investments in education and public safety. HB 970 reflects a growing consensus that the current system—unregulated, unenforced, and unaccountable—is no longer sustainable. This bill doesn’t just legalize VLTs—it creates a pathway toward transparency, local control, and public benefit.

 

Strengthening Election Integrity and Access in Missouri

 

This week, the Missouri House passed HB 507, a comprehensive bill aimed at improving transparency in our election process, increasing protections for election officials, and clarifying procedures to streamline election operations across the state.

 

A key component of the bill expands the role of election challengers, allowing them to be physically present not just on election day, but also during in-person absentee voting in first class and charter counties. This change brings added accountability and consistency to early voting by ensuring that observers from political parties can monitor the same way they do on election day. The bill sets clear guidelines for appointing these watchers, requiring political parties to submit designations four days in advance and granting local election authorities the authority to approve or reject these appointments. Rejected watchers may be replaced by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election.

 

HB 507 also includes several updates to election procedure and voter services. It allows email notifications for elections, adjusts the filing deadlines for candidates in certain subdivisions, and gives covered voters and new residents expanded access to absentee voting directly at the office of the election authority on election day. Another provision ensures that absentee ballot lists for voters with permanent disabilities remain confidential to protect sensitive information. The bill also allows provisional ballots to be cast in any public election, not just state or federal ones. It also tightens the rules on write-in candidates by requiring a declaration of intent even in uncontested races.

 

Importantly, HB 507 introduces serious consequences for anyone who threatens or harasses election officials or their families. Acts of intimidation, doxing, or coercion are classified as Class III election offenses, and if such threats result in injury or death, the penalty increases to a Class B felony. This is a timely and much-needed safeguard amid growing concerns over the safety and security of public servants administering elections.

 

HB 507 aims to strike a balance between transparency, access, and security. It modernizes procedures, expands voter access, and ensures that election officials are protected from intimidation—reinforcing trust in our electoral system.

 

Expanding Hope and Healing for Missouri Veterans

 

The Missouri House passed HB 262 this week, a meaningful and forward-thinking step toward improving the mental health and recovery outcomes of Missouri veterans. The bill would establish the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act, aiming to improve the mental health and recovery of veterans. The bill creates a dedicated fund to support hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Facilities offering HBOT to qualifying veterans will be reimbursed through this fund, increasing access to this promising alternative treatment. The Missouri Veterans Commission will oversee the program, collect data, and report on HBOT’s effectiveness. This bill offers hope for veterans struggling with invisible wounds by providing new treatment options and encouraging research into their effectiveness.

 

Missouri’s First 15 “Blue Shield” Communities Announced, Highlighting Law Enforcement Support & Community Safety

 

Governor Mike Kehoe has announced the first 15 Missouri communities to earn the "Blue Shield" designation, a new initiative under the Safer Missouri plan that recognizes local governments for their exceptional commitment to public safety and law enforcement support. These communities—Jefferson County, Arnold, Warrensburg, Carter County, Miller County, Sedalia, Kennett, Branson, Desloge, Johnson County, Cole County, Grandview, Vinita Park, Greenwood, and Town and Country—will have access to state grants for officer training, equipment, and public safety initiatives. To qualify, communities must demonstrate investments in law enforcement, support for community policing, and efforts to reduce violent crime, among other criteria. Governor Kehoe encourages more communities to apply, with grant funding available starting in July 2025.

 

How to Apply: Communities can still apply for the Blue Shield designation through the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). The application must come from a local official, in coordination with the chief law enforcement officer. To be considered for designation in 2025, this application must be submitted on or before June 1, 2025. Apply online through Department of Public Safety at dps.mo.gov  

REAL ID Requirement Starts Next Month

 

Starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another TSA-approved form of identification, will be required to fly domestically or enter certain federal buildings and nuclear power plants. Missouri residents can obtain a REAL ID at over 170 license offices statewide by presenting original documents proving identity, legal status, Social Security number, residency, and name changes. It takes 10-15 days to receive the REAL ID by mail, so it's advised to apply early to avoid travel disruptions. The REAL ID costs the same as a regular license, with a possible one-time free duplicate for early upgrades. Missouri has offered REAL ID-compliant cards since 2019, but many have yet to upgrade, so now is the time to check your license and prepare.

 

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.