Missouri Senate approves a package of third‑reading bills including a $2,400 infant tax exemption and tourism fund restoration

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Senate on Wednesday advanced a cluster of bills on third reading and final passage, approving measures that would reestablish a tourism revenue fund, expand or modify professional licensing pathways, adjust fees for land surveying, change drivers’ license sanctions for failure to appear or pay fines, and create a temporary tax exemption for families welcoming a child.

Senator from Livingston, speaking in support of senate substitute for senate committee substitute for Senate Bill 974, said the measure is "a continuation of legislation" previously considered and that it "puts guardrails and consumer protections in place." The chamber approved that bill by voice and roll call; the journal shows the bill passed with 27 ayes and 4 noes.

Senator from Stone described Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1,000 as an effort to "reestablish in statute the tourism supplemental revenue fund" that had lapsed when its prior formula sunsetted. The measure was approved unanimously on the third reading, recorded as 31 ayes and 0 noes.

The Senate also approved senate substitute number 2 for Senate Bill 12‑33, a package of changes affecting licensure paths for accountants and adjustments for social work supervisors and speech‑language pathologists. The senator who explained the bill noted the changes built on earlier perfection and the substitute passed 30 ayes to 1 no.

Senate Bill 9‑38, which adds $1 to the Department of Agriculture's land survey program fee and included an amendment to add $1 to recorder's fees, was placed on third reading and passed 18 ayes to 13 noes.

A perfected substitute for Senate Bill 10‑87, relating to drivers' licenses and failure to appear or pay fines, allows two opportunities to appear or pay before license revocation and expands hardship licenses to permit travel to church and certain essential businesses; the Senate passed the bill 25 ayes to 6 noes.

Senator from Lawrence, explaining Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 10‑32, said the bill "authorizes a taxpayer to claim a double tax exemption equaling $2,400 during the tax year in which the taxpayer gives birth to a child." The measure, with additional provisions to cover adoptive parents and to allow stay‑at‑home parents to benefit, passed unanimously, recorded as 31 ayes and 0 noes.

Many of the bills were described on the floor as technical updates, fee adjustments or clarifications of existing law; several were reported to the floor following committee perfection. The chamber also received multiple committee reports and the secretary read a long set of House bills that were referred to Senate committees for further action.

The Senate adjourned to Monday, March 2 at 4 p.m.