Senate passes bill limiting penalties and interest on tax filings; amendment clarifies definition for beginning farmers

Senate substitute for Senate Bill 67, described by its sponsor as legislation to protect taxpayers from unfair penalties and interest and to mirror federal filing deadlines, passed third reading on the Senate floor.

The sponsor, identified in the record as the senator from Saint Francis, said the bill "is the taxpayer protection against penalties and interests" and that it mirrors existing statute language used for a prior "Champion for Children" tax provision. He said the bill gives taxpayers 60 days to pay in certain situations and would mirror federal filing deadlines if the federal government changes its dates.

The senator from Platt and other colleagues asked procedural and substantive questions during floor exchange. The senator from the 30th District asked about an amendment the senator from Stone had offered during perfection that changed the definition of "taxpayer" with an effect on beginning farmers; the sponsor and amendment proponent said the change was meant to ensure beginning farmers could take advantage of a benefit passed in 2023 that had an ambiguous definition of "taxpayer." The sponsor said the amendment "just defines taxpayers" to match legislative intent and avoid an unintended consequence that left some beginning farmers unable to use the benefit.

After limited debate the clerk called the roll and the clerk announced the third-reading motion had received the constitutional majority. The transcript shows the vote reported as 31 ayes and 1 no in the excerpt. The senator from Dunklin moved to reconsider; the motion to table reconsideration was offered by the senator from Platt and the motion to lay on the table carried by the previously called vote, and the clerk again reported the third-reading motion passed.