House Communications - News

4-2-25 Missouri House Passes State Rep. Voss’ Coroner Reform Bill with Broad Bipartisan SupportOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed House Bill 1122 with an overwhelming vote of 149-1. Sponsored by State Representative John Voss, this legislation strengthens the qualifications and training standards for county coroners in Missouri, ensuring that the men and women responsible for conducting death investigations have the education and resources they need to perform their duties effectively.

4-1-25 Speaker Patterson Reaffirms House Commitment to Fighting Illegal Property AssessmentsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Today, Speaker Jon Patterson gave a statement on the court ruling against the Jackson County Tax Assessor, a decisive win in the fight against unfair taxes.

3-31-25 State Representative Bennie Cook Appointed to Human Services & Public Safety Committee for the Council of State Governments - SouthOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
House Speaker Jonathan Patterson has appointed State Representative Major Conference Chair Bennie Cook to serve on the Human Services & Public Safety Committee for the Council of State Governments–Southern Region (CSG South).

3-31-25 Texas County Livestock 4-H Members Visit State Capitol for 4-H DayOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Bennie Cook welcomed members of the Texas County Livestock 4-H to the State Capitol this week as part of 4-H Day at the Capitol.

3-28-25 Victory for Clarkson Road: MODOT to Remove Controversial Curb Bump OutsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Residents of Chesterfield and surrounding communities can look forward to safer and more accessible roads, as the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) has announced plans to remove the controversial curb bump outs along Clarkson Road. State Representative Ben Keathley confirmed that MODOT will soon release a timeline for removal, with work potentially beginning as early as this summer.

3-27-25 VIDEO: Republican Press Conference for 03-27-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson talked about the legislative session so far, and previewed next week's work on the budget.

3-27-25 VIDEO: House Democrat Press Conference for 03-27-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Democrats talked about the bills worked on this week in the chamber and previewed next week's budget work.

3-27-25 VIDEO: Missouri House Veterans Recognition Day 03-27-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The Missouri House's annual Veterans Recognition Day was this morning in the State Capitol Rotunda.

3-18-25 VIDEO: House Endorses Bill to Speed Up Health Care, Limit 'Prior Authorization'On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The House has voted for the second straight year to decrease wait times for Missourians seeking medical care, while increasing the quality of and access to that care and lowering costs.

3-13-25 Riggs appointed to serve on Economic Development and Transportation CommitteeOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) has been appointed to the Council of State Governments Economic Development and Transportation Committee by Speaker of the House Jon Patterson.

3-13-25 VIDEO: House-Senate Republican joint media conference with Governor KehoeOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Republicans joined Governor Mike Kehoe (R) and Republicans from the Missouri Senate in a joint media conference, discussing what has been accomplished in the first half of the 2025 legislative session.

3-13-25 House votes to Criminalize Clandestine Tracking of VehiclesOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The key legislation in combatting domestic violence is one of the measures the House sent to the Senate before the General Assembly went into its spring break.

3-13-25 House plan would Accelerate Detection of Child, Animal, and Elderly Abuse by Connecting InvestigatorsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
A House committee advanced this week a plan that could save the lives of children and animals in the State of Missouri, by simply getting different types of investigators talk to one another.

3-11-25 Planned Parenthood StatementOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Representative John Martin issued the following statement in response to Planned Parenthood’s reopening in Columbia

3-11-25 Riggs appointed to Mississippi River Basin Legislative Working GroupOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) has been appointed to the National Conference of State Legislatures Mississippi River Basin Legislative Working Group by Speaker of the House Jon Patterson.

3-7-25 Missouri House Passes HB 999 to Protect Taxpayer Rights and Ensure Fair Property AssessmentsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed HB 999, a bill sponsored by State Representative Ron Fowler. The bill seeks to ensure counties comply with State Tax Commission (STC) directives to maintain fair and accurate property valuations across Missouri.

3-7-25 House Votes to Rein In Vehicle AssessmentsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The House voted unanimously this week to ensure that Missourians would not experience increases in the taxes they pay for vehicles ever again.

3-6-25 Missouri House Passes HB 1086 to Protect Short-Term Rental Homeowners from Unfair Tax AssessmentsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed HB 1086, a bill that ensures single-family homes used as short-term rentals are classified solely as residential properties for tax assessment purposes. Sponsored by State Representative Chris Brown, the bill seeks to provide clarity and fairness in how these properties are taxed, preventing county assessors from reclassifying them as commercial properties.

3-6-25 State Rep. Louis Riggs Files Bill to Address Workforce Housing and Job Training CoordinationOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) has filed HB 1451, which will provide workforce housing funding and create a statewide workforce development coordinator.

3-6-25 VIDEO: Missouri House Republican media conference 03-06-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Republicans talked about legislation that passed this week and looked ahead to next week in the Chamber.

3-6-25 VIDEO: House Democrats media conference 03-06-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Democrats discussed issues and legislation from this week and answered reporters' questions.

3-5-25 Missouri House Passes HB 939 to Protect Housing AffordabilityOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed HB 939, a bill sponsored by State Representative Mike Jones, aimed at preserving housing affordability by preventing local governments from imposing costly building design mandates and regulations that could price out homebuyers and slow development.

3-5-25 No Charges Filed: Rep. Tricia Byrnes Moves to Improve 988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Following an incident at the Missouri State Capitol on February 20, 2025, the Cole County Prosecutor’s Office has announced that no charges will be filed against State Representative Tricia Byrnes. On that date, law enforcement officers responded to the Capitol building in reference to a potential emergency, prompting an investigation into the matter.

3-5-25 State Rep. Ray Reed Calls for Passage of House Bill 811 to Address Workforce Shortages and Promote OpportunityOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Ray Reed is urging the Missouri legislature to pass House Bill 811, a crucial measure that would address workforce shortages and promote equality by ensuring skilled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have equitable access to professional licensing. This legislation would enable these individuals to fully contribute to Missouri’s economy and their communities.

3-4-25 VIDEO: Session Update from the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus addressed reporters and fielded questions about the legislative session so far.

3-3-25 State Representative Wick Thomas Files House Bill 1459 to Repeal Same-Sex Marriage Ban in MissouriOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Wick Thomas has introduced House Bill 1459, which seeks to repeal language in Missouri law that prohibits the recognition of same-sex marriages. The bill aims to remove provisions that define marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman and ensure that all couples, regardless of gender, receive equal legal recognition.

2-28-25 State Rep. Don Mayhew Files HB 1442 to Protect Missouri Citizens from Federal Overreach in Missouri National ParksOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Don Mayhew has introduced HB 1442, the Natural Resource and Community Protection Act, to end federal overreach in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and other federally managed lands within Missouri. The bill ensures that local residents are not unfairly targeted by federal park rangers and that Missouri retains authority over its natural resources, wildlife, water rights, and land use.

2-28-25 VIDEO: House Votes to Tell Judges Not to Delay Finalizing Divorces due to PregnancyOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The vote came after the bill sponsor shared her own experience with domestic violence, and how she found herself pregnant but unable to divorce her abuser.

2-27-25 VIDEO: House Democrat Media Conference 02-27-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Democrats spoke to reporters and fielded questions after the House wrapped up work for the week.

2-27-25 VIDEO: House Republican Media Conference 02-27-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Republicans spoke to reporters and fielded questions after the House wrapped up work for the week.

2-24-25 Collins Pushes Bill to Overturn Missouri’s Wrongful ConvictionsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri State Representative Kimberly-Ann Collins (D-77) has introduced House Bill 731, a legislative effort designed to allow freestanding claims of actual innocence in Missouri courts. The bill seeks to correct a significant gap in the state’s judicial process, where individuals with clear and convincing evidence of their innocence currently lack a legal pathway to overturn wrongful convictions.

2-24-25 Rep. Byrnes Exposes Critical Failures in 988 Crisis Hotline, Underscoring Urgent Need for ReformOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Rep. Tricia Byrnes is doubling down on her commitment to strengthen Missouri’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline after a firsthand test exposed alarming deficiencies in the system. Her legislation, House Bill 1148, directly addresses these failures by ensuring crisis counselors provide real, effective assistance to those in need.

2-24-25 State Representative Bennie Cook Announces Rescheduled District 143 Day at the CapitolOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Bennie Cook announces that the previously scheduled Maries County and Texas County Days at the Capitol have been combined and rescheduled as District 143 Day, to be held April 8th, 2025.

2-24-25 Statement on the Harmful Consequences of Executive Order 25-18On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Following the issuing Executive Order 25-18, State Representative Kimberly-Ann Collins issued the following statement on the decision to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from Missouri state agencies.

2-24-25 Restoration of Voting Rights to those on Probation and Parole is ProposedOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
It would lift the prohibition on voting rights for those on probation and parole for a felony conviction, unless their conviction was for a crime related to voting or elections.

2-20-25 Missouri House Passes HB 495 to Strengthen Public Safety and Address CrimeOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
This week, the Missouri House of Representatives passed HCS #2 HB 495, a sweeping public safety measure aimed at addressing crime, policing, and penalties for various offenses across the state. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Brad Christ, introduces significant changes designed to enhance public safety and address law enforcement challenges statewide.

2-20-25 Missouri House Passes HB 544 to Align Pesticide Regulations with Federal StandardsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The Missouri House of Representatives passed HB 544, a bill that seeks to standardize pesticide labeling requirements in the state. The legislation specifies that pesticides registered by federal agencies or labeled in accordance with federal guidelines will fulfill any state-mandated cancer warning label requirements.

2-20-25 Missouri House Passes HB 68, Reducing Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury ClaimsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
This week, the Missouri House of Representatives passed HB 68, a bill that seeks to reduce the statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Currently, individuals have five years from the date of an injury to file a lawsuit. Under the new legislation, this period will be reduced to two years for injuries occurring after August 28, 2025.

2-20-25 VIDEO: House Democrats' media conference for 02-20-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Missouri House Democrats spoke to reporters and fielded questions after the House wrapped up work for the week.

2-20-25 VIDEO: House Republican media conference for 02-20-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
House Republicans spoke about the week's work, previewed legislation to be considered next week, and answered questions.

2-20-25 VIDEO: House Equality Caucus media conference for 02-20-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
The legislators of the Equality Caucus spoke to reporters and answered questions.

2-19-25 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Stripped From Higher Education FundingOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Dirk Deaton, Chair of the House Budget Committee, announced today the formal filing of the appropriations bills for the 2025 legislative session. Included in the bill that appropriates money for public colleges and universities is language to ensure that state funds will not be used for contracts, programs, positions, or organizational entities within institutions of higher education that are solely focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or similar initiatives.

2-19-25 MEDIA ADVISORY: Lawmakers and Advocates to Address Gay and Transgender Legislation in MissouriOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Wick Thomas, alongside LGBTQ+ legislators, advocacy groups, and allies, will hold a press conference to discuss legislation affecting gay and transgender Missourians and provide an update on where the legislation stands.

2-19-25 State Representative Phil Amato’s Statement on the “Save MO Babies Act” On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Today, Representative Phil Amato issued the following statement regarding HB 807, also known as the “Save MO Babies Act,” which aims to reform and improve Missouri’s adoption processes and is undergoing significant refinement to ensure the bills’ effectiveness.

2-18-25 House Republican Leaders Tout Amendment Extending Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse CasesOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Republican leaders in the Missouri House of Representatives today highlighted a significant amendment to HB 68 that will give survivors of childhood sexual abuse more time to seek justice.

2-18-25 Speaker Jon Patterson and House Republican Leadership Stand with House Budget Committee in Public Defender ControversyOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
House Speaker Jon Patterson, Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley, Assistant Majority Floor Leader Lane Roberts, Majority Whip Hardy Billington, Majority Caucus Chair Bennie Cook, and Majority Caucus Secretary Ann Kelley issued the following joint statement regarding a recent House Budget Committee hearing and testimony from the Office of Public Defenders—particularly concerning the employment of an individual convicted in connection with the 2007 murder of 9-year-old Rowan Ford.

2-18-25 VIDEO: Bills would require Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in SchoolsOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Representative Sherri Gallick (R-Belton) spoke to members of the media this morning about House Bill 232, her proposal to require public schools to have plans for personnel to respond to cardiac arrest incidents.

2-18-25 Bill to set Marriage Age at 18 clears House CommitteeOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
Several lawmakers expressed support for the change as a way to protect children, especially from traffickers.

2-14-25 HB 624 Approved to Move Forward: Protecting Female Athletics On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representative Bennie Cook’s legislation, HB 624, which removes the expiration date from the “Saving Girls Sports” bill, has received initial approval in the Emerging Issues Committee and is now set to advance to the next stage of the legislative process.

2-14-25 Legislators Host 2nd Annual Phelps County Day at the CapitolOn Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
State Representatives Tara Peters and Bennie Cook hosted the 2nd Annual Phelps County Day at the State Capitol on Tuesday. The event drew an impressive crowd and welcomed local elected city and county officials, Rolla Chamber of Commerce members, local business owners, St. James School Administration, and local constituents.

2-13-25 VIDEO: House Republicans' media conference 02-13-2025On Selection You Will Jump to the iframe below
House Republicans talked about the week's work and looked ahead to next week.

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