Lawmakers wrap up 2025 legislative session

First Regular Session of 103rd General Assembly concludes in Jefferson City

Thursday, May 15, marked the end of the 2025 legislative session. Throughout the course of the session, lawmakers introduced more than 2,600 bills and resolutions between the House of Representatives and the Senate for discussion and debate. Of those measures, 67 proposals were truly agreed to and finally passed. By comparison, the Legislature passed 46 measures in 2024.

Per tradition, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives mark the end of the legislative session by tossing their papers in the air. Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel/House Communications.

“Together, House members have worked to make life safer, better and more affordable for Missouri families, and I couldn’t be more proud to serve alongside such a dedicated group of public servants,” said Speaker Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit. “From foster children to law enforcement and from Missouri seniors to small business owners, this session was marked by incredible successes by House Republicans on behalf of all Missourians.”

A week prior to the end of the legislative session, lawmakers passed a series of bills that make up the state's operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Totaling nearly $50 billion, the operating budget funds the state's day-to-day operations. The budget passed by lawmakers provides more than $4 billion in state funding to support public education, fully funding the state's elementary and secondary education foundation formula. It also includes a 3% core funding increase for the state's public colleges and universities. From a transportation perspective, the budget appropriates $62.7 million for highway projects throughout the state, while also allocating an additional $20 million for low-volume and lettered roads in rural areas. 

In addition to a public safety measure and a wide-ranging utility bill passed earlier in the year and signed into law by the governor, lawmakers also put their stamp of approval on a series of tax cuts. House Bills 594 and 508 includes language removing the state sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products. The legislation also allows for an income tax deduction for 100% of all income reported as a capital gain by an individual taxpayer. Additionally, the legislation expands existing property tax relief programs for seniors.

Despite the regular legislative session wrapping up on May 15, the governor recently called lawmakers back to Jefferson City for an extra legislative session. The governor's call focuses on three issues: disaster relief for those impacted by severe weather, tax incentives for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to build new stadiums and appropriations for capital improvement projects throughout the state.

“We are proud of all that the General Assembly accomplished during the regular legislative session, but there is still work left to be done,” said Gov. Mike Kehoe. “We call on legislators to use this special session as a rare opportunity to support our vulnerable neighbors in their time of need, drive economic development and make transformative investments in our state. This work is too important to leave unfinished."

The extra legislative session began on Monday, June 2. For more information on the governor's call for an extra legislative session, please visit the governor's website.