JEFFERSON CITY, Mo — Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins with Jamieson Crane, Brad Wheeler, and Tim Jenkins
House Bill 594 passes House Vote
The House of Representatives successfully third read and passed House Bill 594out of the chamber. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, will now be heard in the Senate. This legislation proposes a full income tax deduction for federal capital gains starting in 2025. These measures aim to provide tax relief to hardworking Missourians, incentivize investment, and make our state more competitive in attracting businesses and entrepreneurs. Representative Perkins had this to say regarding the bill’s passage in the House:
“For years we heard our colleagues on the other side of the aisle tell us to follow the science regarding coronavirus management. Well, statistics are a science and statistics tell us that removing the tax on capital gains puts dollars back into the pockets of hard-working families and will make our state wealthier. So I suggest my Democratic colleagues follow the science.”
Protecting Property Rights
The Missouri House passed House Bill 595 & 343 this week, a bill restricting local governments from imposing certain regulations on property owners. The legislation prohibits cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers, limiting how they screen tenants, capping security deposits, or mandating a tenant’s right of first refusal on a rental property. However, it does allow voluntary agreements between local governments and landlords to regulate rent for subsidized housing.
“This is a property rights issue at its core,” the bill’s sponsor said. “Landlords should have the freedom to decide how they manage their properties without being forced into federal housing programs or restricted in how they screen tenants. These regulations drive small property owners out of the market, making rental housing even scarcer and more expensive.”
Ensuring Public Safety
This week, the Missouri House passed HB 495, a comprehensive public safety bill addressing crime, policing, and penalties for various offenses across the state. A major provision of the bill establishes a new Board of Police Commissioners to oversee the St. Louis Police Department, effective August 28, 2025. This board will consist of four local citizen commissioners and the Mayor of St. Louis, giving it direct authority over the city’s police force.
The bill also includes new laws targeting criminal activities. It increases penalties for stunt driving and street takeovers, making repeat offenses felonies. The legislation strengthens child welfare protections by classifying first-degree child endangerment as a “dangerous felony,” particularly when fentanyl or similar drugs are involved. It also expands the definition of rioting and raises its penalties, eliminates the need to prove conspiracy, and allows for stricter sentencing.
