Missouri House approves $3.1 billion supplemental budget to close fiscal 2026 gaps
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Summary
The Missouri House passed a supplemental appropriations bill that sponsors said includes roughly $3.1 billion and more than 1,000 FTE, funding disaster relief, additional MoDOT support and Medicaid-related spending to cover the remainder of fiscal year 2026.
The Missouri House on Feb. 23 approved a supplemental appropriations bill intended to fund state operations through June 30, 2026, including disaster relief and targeted support for transportation and health programs.
The billwas carried by the member from McDonald County, who described it as "the supplemental appropriations bill" and told the chamber it contains "just over $3,100,000,000 and over 1000 FTE." He said the package responds to an anticipated shortfall in the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and includes federal disaster-relief dollars tied to recent tornado damage in St. Louis, along with routine appropriations for Medicaid and mental-health overtime and utilization programs.
Opponents raised a constitutional concern about appropriating funds that, they argued, the Missouri Constitution already entrusts to the Highway Commission and MoDOT without legislative action. The gentleman from Pulaski County said parts of the appropriation are "unconstitutional," citing Article IV, section 30(a) and (b) of the Missouri Constitution and urging colleagues to vote no. The sponsor responded that the House has historically made appropriations in such circumstances and noted the commission's current disposition not to spend outside appropriation.
After floor debate, the House voted to approve the third reading and passage; the clerk reported "the yeas being 130 and the nays 11." The bill advances to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.
What happens next: If the Senate passes the measure and the governor signs it, the supplemental funds will be available for the stated purposes through the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2026.