State Representative Bennie Cook Capitol Report

Royalty Day at the Capitol 2025 will be a special event set for April 15, 2025, celebrating local fair and festival royalty from South Central Missouri. This day provides an opportunity for the fair and festival royalty to visit the Missouri State Capitol, meet with legislators, and learn more about the state government. It is a chance to recognize their dedication to representing their communities and promoting Missouri's rich traditions. We look forward to welcoming these outstanding young leaders and honoring their contributions to our state. For more information, please contact Rep. Bennie Cook's office at 573-751-2264 or via email at Bennie.Cook@house.mo.gov.

 

If you are planning a trip to the Missouri State Capitol, I am happy to help make your visit informative and enjoyable. Whether you are a school group, organization, or individual, we can assist with scheduling tours, arranging meetings with legislators, and providing information on the legislative process. Visitors can explore the historic Capitol building, observe committee hearings and floor sessions, and learn more about Missouri's government in action. To plan your visit, please call me at 573-751-2264 or email me at Bennie.Cook@house.mo.gov.

 

Passage of HB943

 

HB943 has officially passed its third reading and is now on its way to the Senate, carrying several critical healthcare initiatives that I have worked on. This legislation includes my HB1445, which removes the expiration date for the RX Cares for Missouri program, ensuring the continued fight against prescription drug misuse. It also includes my HB622, which expands the role of community paramedics, allowing them to provide essential care to underserved populations. Additionally, my HB313 strengthens the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services, enhancing coordination and efficiency in emergency response efforts.

 

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Representative Tara Peters for working with me on this important legislation. Her dedication and collaboration have been invaluable in advancing these initiatives, and I look forward to seeing them continue through the legislative process.

 

Legislation Making Its Way Through Committees

 

I had the pleasure of presenting some legislation through committee this week, while also having other bills making their way out of committee. 

 

HB315: Promoting Efficiency in TANF and SNAP

 

This week, the Government Efficiency Committee heard HB315, which is my bill that would help reform some aspects of TANF and SNAP benefits to ensure that those who are using them are properly spending taxpayer money. I thank the committee for hearing this bill, as I believe these reforms will help ensure the goals of these assistance programs are met. I have included a summary of the bill below.

"This bill modifies the law regarding the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) transaction. The bill adds pornography to the list of items that are prohibited from being purchased with TANF or SNAP benefits using an EBT card.

 

The bill requires that upon a first violation of the prohibition against using TANF benefits via an EBT card in a prohibited establishment or to purchase prohibited items, a TANF recipient will be disqualified from receiving benefits for three months; upon a second violation, the recipient will be disqualified for six months; and upon any third or subsequent violation, the recipient will be disqualified for five years. An individual may resume participation in the program at the end of the disqualification period by applying again.

 

The bill prohibits a recipient of TANF or SNAP from using his or her EBT card at any automated teller machine, to receive cash back on a purchase, or to otherwise access the benefits as cash. If the Department of Social Services determines that a waiver is necessary for implementation of the prohibition, the Department will apply for a waiver from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services.

The bill also repeals provisions regarding pilot projects in certain counties to provide EBT cards to public assistance recipients."

 

HB313: State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services

 

The Consent and Procedure Committee unanimously voted to pass HB313, which is my bill to broaden the representation on the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services. This is the first time a bill of mine has been through the consent process, which is meant for bills with minimal to no impact fiscally, as well as being noncontroversial and unanimously supported. I thank the committee for this bill's passage, and I hope to see it move further soon.

 

HB622: Community Paramedic Services

 

This week, the Local Government Committee voted to unanimously pass HB622 out of committee. I thank the Chairman, Rep. Dave Hinman, and the entire committee for their support. This bill is an important piece for ensuring that paramedic services are easily available across districts and to help streamline the process. 

 

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

 

The Missouri House passed HB629, 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.

 

This measure provides much-needed tax relief by reducing the burden on personal property taxpayers. 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.

 

Missouri House Passes Property Tax Cap to Provide Homeowner Relief

 

The Missouri House passed HJR4 this week, 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

 

House Passes HB999 to Strengthen Fairness in Property Tax Assessments

 

HB999 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 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. HB14 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.