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Committee hears bill to raise pregnancy resource center tax credit from 70% to 100%; supporters and opponents testify
Summary
Representative Christopher Warwick sponsored House Bill 1176 to increase the state tax credit for donations to pregnancy resource centers from 70% to 100%. Supporters said the change would expand services; opponents called for oversight and raised concerns about clinical resources and lack of accountability.
The Missouri House Committee on Tax Reform opened a public hearing on House Bill 11‑76, sponsored by Representative Christopher Warwick, which would change the existing state income tax credit for donations to pregnancy resource centers from 70% to 100%.
Representative Christopher Warwick (sponsor) said the bill "moves what is the existing, state statute of a tax credit, for, pregnancy resource centers, from 70% to 100%," and argued the increase would encourage charitable giving, reduce government involvement and help centers provide free services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins, counseling and parenting classes.
Supporters who testified included Samuel Lee (registered lobbyist), who said there are 82 pregnancy resource centers in Missouri and cited a Department of Social Services cost-benefit analysis that, in his summary, estimated state savings for every dollar in tax credits previously issued. Leslie Kearns, executive director of the Pregnancy Help Center of Central Missouri, described services her center provides and said the statute prohibits centers that “perform, induce, or refer for abortions.” Susan Klein of Missouri Right to Life also testified in support.
Opponents raised oversight and medical-care concerns. Kate Hopkins (Kansas City) testified the program is "a blank check with no oversight," saying the removal of the cap in 2021 led to millions in redemptions to unregulated centers and argued many centers lack medical licensing and providers. Committee members asked multiple witnesses about caps, sunsets, reporting, and whether centers’ services and funds are spent in-state; witnesses and the sponsor gave mixed answers. Samuel Lee said centers must be located in Missouri to qualify and that Department of Social Services certifies qualifying pregnancy resource centers annually.
Representative questions focused on fiscal controls: Representative Strickler asked whether the credit has a cap or sunset and whether reporting requirements could be added; Warwick said the credit includes a $50,000 per-person cap and that he opposed additional reporting requirements because he wanted to "limit the bureaucracy." Representative Butts disclosed a personal connection to a center and discussed donor behavior and federal tax interactions.
No final committee vote on HB1176 was recorded in the transcript; the bill remained in the hearing stage at the close of the session.
Votes and procedural actions referenced in the hearing were recorded earlier for other bills during executive session.
