Representative Matthew Overcast Capitol Report

Greetings Friends of the 155th District!

 

It was an honor to stand alongside Pro-Life Missourians at the Capitol this week as we rallied together to defend the sanctity of life. Your voices and presence are a powerful reminder that Missouri remains committed to protecting the unborn and upholding our shared values.

 

We also had a great win in committee with House Bill 422, which would allow industrial hemp seed to be used in commercial animal feed. This is a commonsense step forward for Missouri agriculture, and I’m proud to report that the bill was successfully voted out of committee. We’re in a strong position to move it through the House and onto the Senate message next session.

 

Unfortunately, House Bill 986, which would require the reporting of diagnosed and confirmed cases of Alpha-Gal Syndrome to the Department of Health and Senior Services, will not make it out of committee in time to pass the House this session. However, we are working to advance an amendment to declare May as Alpha-Gal Awareness Month. This effort is a vital first step to bring attention to this growing public health issue and to ensure that Missouri families have access to early diagnosis, effective treatment, and the awareness necessary to drive meaningful change.

 

FY 2026 Budget Moves to Conference Committee as Deadline Nears

 

With just two weeks left in the legislative session, lawmakers in the Missouri House and Senate are working to finalize the state’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The Senate passed its version of the budget last week, proposing to spend $49.5 billion, about $1.6 billion more than the House plan and $575 million less than Governor Mike Kehoe’s recommendation.

 

Some of the key differences between the House and Senate budget proposals include:

 

- K-12 education funding: The Senate plan includes nearly $300 million more than the Governor requested for the public-school foundation formula but removes $50 million the Governor wanted for private school scholarships.

- State workers’ pay raises: The Senate and Governor propose a raise of 1% for every two years of service (up to 10%). The House version caps raises at 5%.

- Childcare funding: The Senate supports the Governor’s $107 million plan to reform how childcare subsidies are paid. The House did not include this funding.

- Higher education: The Governor and House support a 1.5% increase for colleges and universities, while the Senate proposes a 3% ongoing increase.

- Earmarks: The House added $295 million across 149 projects. The Senate removed 57 of them (worth $126 million) and added 169 new ones totaling $441 million.

 

Members from both chambers will meet this week in a conference committee to negotiate and resolve the differences. The Missouri Constitution requires the General Assembly to pass a finalized budget by Friday, May 9.

 

Truly Agreed and Finally Passed Bills

 

Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Insurance

 

The Missouri General Assembly also truly agreed and finally passed HBs 974, 57, 1032 & 1141, which creates a regulatory framework for insurance coverage in peer-to-peer car sharing programs. Known as the "Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Program Insurance Act," the bill establishes minimum liability coverage requirements for car sharing platforms and sets rules for how coverage disputes are handled. It allows traditional auto insurers to exclude coverage for vehicles used in car sharing and mandates that programs notify vehicle owners about potential conflicts with lienholder agreements. The bill also imposes recordkeeping duties on sharing platforms and clarifies that shared vehicle owners and programs are exempt from vicarious liability. Additional provisions address responsibilities related to vehicle recalls, program agreements, and driver verification. The Department of Commerce and Insurance is authorized to issue rules for implementation. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

 

Establishing New Criminal Penalties for Financial Institution Fraud

 

The Missouri legislature has officially passed SB 98, legislation that creates a new criminal offense targeting fraud against financial institutions and their customers.

 

Under SB 98, a person commits the offense of financial institution account fraud by using deception, coercion, fraudulent devices, or electronic means to unlawfully withdraw or transfer funds from a financial institution or a customer’s account, with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of control over those funds.

 

The bill establishes a tiered penalty system based on the amount stolen and the offender’s intent:

- For fraud involving less than $500, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.

- For fraud involving $500 or more, penalties escalate based on mental state:

- Criminal negligence: Class E felony

- Recklessness: Class D felony

- Knowledge: Class C felony

- Purposeful intent: Class B felony

 

SB 98 aims to strengthen protections for both financial institutions and consumers by criminalizing a broad range of fraudulent behaviors, particularly those carried out through digital or electronic means. The bill will now be sent to the Governor for signature.

 

Other Bill Truly Agreed and Finally Passed:

 

School Bus Endorsement Reforms

 

The General Assembly passed HBs 296 & 438, which would update school bus driver requirements for older Missourians. The bill raises the age at which additional license requirements begin from 70 to 75 and changes the annual testing and renewal requirements to every two years instead of every year. These changes aim to reduce unnecessary burdens while maintaining safety.

 

Flexibility for Library District Fiscal Years

 

Lawmakers approved SB 396, a bill that gives consolidated public library districts the authority to set their own fiscal year calendars. This flexibility allows districts to better align their budgets with revenue streams, improving efficiency and potentially saving taxpayer dollars.

 

Expanded Mission for Missouri Southern State University

 

The legislature this week adopted SCR 3, a resolution expanding the mission of Missouri Southern State University to include health and life sciences and immersive learning experiences. This update reflects the evolving educational needs of students and supports the university’s continued growth and relevance.

 

New Rules for Cotton Trailers

 

With approval from the Missouri Senate, HB 169 now heads to the desk of Governor Mike Kehoe. This legislation would increase the maximum speed for cotton trailers from 40 miles per hour to 70 miles per hour. also removes the restriction that these trailers must be used exclusively for transporting cotton. The bill clarifies that cotton trailers will not be in violation of load security provisions if certain conditions are met, and no part of the load becomes dislodged. Modern advancements in harvesting cotton and transportation have made the process safer, and farmers now often need to use the interstate to transport cotton. This bill reflects those improvements and aims to streamline transportation laws for cotton.

 

Bills Passed by the House

 

Expanding Housing Tax Credits, Simplifying Tax Filings, and Supporting Farmers

 

The Missouri House has passed SB 67, legislation that makes targeted reforms to the state’s tax code, with a focus on affordable housing, agriculture, and taxpayer relief.

 

The bill allows for more flexible use of existing Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits by permitting up to $1 million in unused credits for direct affordable housing assistance to be reallocated to support community-based housing contributions. This change maintains a cap of $11 million annually but ensures greater utilization of available credits in support of distressed communities.

 

SB 67 also improves the Beginning Farmer Income Tax Deduction by clarifying who qualifies as a taxpayer and expanding eligibility to include trusts. These changes aim to make it easier for new farmers to access tax relief when acquiring or leasing farmland.

 

The legislation further aligns Missouri’s income tax filing deadline with the federal deadline. Any changes at the federal level will now automatically apply to state returns, reducing confusion for taxpayers. Additionally, the bill ensures taxpayers are not penalized with interest or fees if they receive a balance-due notice due to prorated or denied tax credits caused by limited state funds—so long as the balance is paid within 60 days.

 

House amendments to the bill also added provisions to create a capital gains tax deduction, expand the circuit breaker property tax credit for low-income seniors and disabled individuals, and adjust rules on estate and trust taxation. While the bill reduces overall state revenue, its goal is to offer balanced tax relief across income levels and address longstanding administrative inefficiencies. SB 67 now awaits final approval in the Senate before heading to the Governor’s desk.

 

Expanding Access to Extracurricular Activities for Home and Virtual School Students

 

The Missouri House passed SB 63, expanding access to extracurricular activities for students in home schools, full-time virtual schools, and Family Personal Education (FPE) schools. The bill prohibits school districts and charter schools from participating in statewide activity associations that restrict these students' participation or require them to enroll in classes to take part in events. Schools must apply the same behavioral and performance standards to all students and cannot impose separate disciplinary or attendance rules based on educational setting. Students ineligible at the time of withdrawal from a public school must wait 12 months before participating in school activities.

 

To qualify, nontraditional students must reside in the district and follow the same rules as enrolled students, with parents responsible for academic standards. Schools may set policies for practices and required components tied to the activity but can decide whether to include these students in non-extracurricular programs. The bill also simplifies the home school notification process and allows entities beyond public schools, including DESE and private schools, to establish recovery high schools for students with substance use disorders. The bill now awaits final approval from the Senate before it can be sent to the Governor for signature.

 

Watch Out for Scam Texts! 

 

Missouri Department of Revenue Warns Residents About Fraudulent Messages

 

The Missouri Department of Revenue is alerting residents about a wave of scam text messages being sent across the state. These fake messages may claim to be from the Department of Revenue or Department of Motor Vehicles and often include threats about unpaid traffic tickets, tolls, or other fines.

 

These messages are not real. The Department of Revenue does not send payment requests or ask for personal information via text message.

 

If you receive one of these texts:

- Don’t click any links

- Don’t respond

- Delete the message immediately

 

The Department is working closely with law enforcement to stop these scams. Stay safe and spread the word—let’s protect each other from fraud.

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.