"The Voice of Missouri Business®" Weekly Report - February 2-6, 2026

By Matthew Smith and Ray McCarty

February 6, 2026 - – It was another busy week in the Missouri Legislature for pro-business legislation. Here is a recap highlighting our efforts on behalf of Missouri employers this week.

Accountability for Administrative Law Judges (AIM supports)

In the Senate Judiciary Committee, SB 996 (Sen. David Gregory) was heard which brings accountability and transparency to Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). ALJs are responsible for deciding workers compensation cases and settling disputes that may arise during these claims. Currently, it is very difficult to remove a judge that is not performing their duties or is acting inappropriately. SB 996 will provide needed updates on the removal of judges and will help streamline the process of their removal while also providing transparency by mandated regular audits of their performance. 

Providing Sovereign Immunity for Private Contractors (AIM supports) 

The Senate General laws committee heard many pro-business pieces of legislation, which included SB 916 (Sen. Burger) which expands sovereign immunity to private contractors who are working within the scope of contracts within the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT.) Our infrastructure projects are often held up because of litigation and court costs, and providing immunity for contractors who are developing our infrastructure will help streamline projects and get projects built that the industries of Missouri depend on. 

Broadband Property Tax Assessment Rates (AIM supports)

SB 1202 (Sen. Hudson) was also heard in the Senate General Laws committee, which lowers the assessment rate for broadband machinery and equipment from 33.3% to 12% of its value between January 2027 to January 2033. Lowering the assessment rate for the machinery and equipment will provide relief to the broadband industry, which will in return provide relief to consumers. 

Pushing Back Against Frivolous Lawsuits and Legal Reform (AIM supports) 

Last week, we told you about the list of bills that stop lawsuits claiming a business is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), alleging these businesses have failed to provide accommodations for blind individuals on their websites. Of course, this is another scheme for trial attorneys to sue and settle for quick monetary gain.  HCS HBs 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2132 and 1755 (Rep. Christensen), which would end these lawsuits, was passed by the House and sent to the Senate this week. SB 907 (Sen. Hudson) and SB 1154 (Sen. Nicola), which would also end these lawsuits, were heard in the Senate General Laws Committee as well. All these bills have wide support and we appreciate the sponsors for supporting common sense litigation reform. 

On the topic of legal reform, we also testified in support of HB 2255 (Rep. Hovis) in the House General Laws committee which mirrors federal law on expert witness testimony. Missouri's law regarding standards used to evaluate "experts" in state court cases needs to be updated because of recent changes to expert witness standards in federal courts. While we aligned the two standards years ago, this bill adopts more recent changes. This will help ensure that expert witnesses’ testimony is relevant to the case they are presenting to, which will create a fairer process for all parties. 

Funding to Support State Administration of Air Pollution Laws (AIM supports)

We previously told you about AIM's approach to providing funding to support the Air Pollution Control Program in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. SB 953 (Bean) was placed on the Senate calendar and may be debated in the near future. This is important as it was one of the first business bills to be placed on the calendar and it may provide sufficient time to pass this session. If it does not pass, large fee increases will be necessary to support state level administration of these laws.

Workers' Compensation - Work must be primary reason for medical treatment (AIM supports)

We previously reported AIM testified for Rep. Christ’s HB 2375, which strengthens Missouri’s workers compensation by requiring the injured employee to prove the injury and the need for treatment were due to work. In some cases, employees receive workers compensation for preexisting diseases that were not caused by an injury at the workplace. This bill fixes this issue, along with making needed changes to the appeal process and requiring the inclusion of any insurance benefit a worker obtained when determining how much will be paid by worker compensation insurance. HB 2375 was perfected by the House this week. One roll call vote is needed to advance the bill to the Senate.

We intend to provide these legislative updates to you on a weekly basis on Fridays as we track the progress of these and other bills affecting Missouri businesses.