Representative Matthew Overcast - Capitol Report

Greetings Friends of the 155th District!

 

This week I was back in Jefferson City attending the Second Extraordinary Session and the Veto Session. Extraordinary Sessions or Veto Sessions offer a unique opportunity to witness state government in action. The Second Extraordinary Session is typically called by the Governor to address urgent or specific legislative matters that were not resolved during the regular session, allowing lawmakers to focus exclusively on high-priority issues. The Veto Session, held annually in September, provides the Missouri General Assembly with the chance to review and potentially override any bills vetoed by the Governor. Observing these sessions gives citizens, students, and stakeholders a firsthand look at the legislative process, the checks and balances between branches of government, and the dynamic debates that shape Missouri's laws and policies.

 

Remembering 9/11

On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in its history. Four coordinated attacks were carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda, targeting the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, and the tragedy deeply impacted the nation and the world.

 

The events of 9/11 led to significant changes in U.S. security policies and sparked a global fight against terrorism. It remains a solemn day of remembrance and reflection for many.

 

Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost on 9/11, as well as the countless others who were affected by the attacks—families, first responders, and all those who lived through that day. It's a time to honor their memories, reflect on the courage and resilience shown in the aftermath, and acknowledge the ongoing impact of the tragedy. May we never forget their lives, their stories, and the sacrifices made by so many in the wake of the tragedy.

 

Remembering Charlie Kirk

The devastating loss of Charlie Kirk has left a profound void in the hearts of those who knew him. Charlie was not just a person but a symbol of warmth, humor, and unwavering loyalty. His presence was magnetic, effortlessly bringing people together and making them feel seen and appreciated. Losing someone so vibrant, so full of life, is a tragedy that ripples through the lives of friends, family, and all who were fortunate enough to experience his kindness. It is a reminder of how fragile life can be and how we must hold our loved ones even closer. The grief of his absence will undoubtedly linger, but his memory will live on in the countless lives he touched.

 

Charlie Kirk always encouraged people to engage in thoughtful, respectful debate—acknowledging that it's okay to disagree passionately, but that violence or harm should never be a part of that disagreement. Let’s us mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk and remember that violence is never the answer. Please keep Charlie’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

House Passes Redistricting and Initiative Petition Reform Measures in Second Extraordinary Session

 

The Missouri House of Representatives passed two significant measures during the second extraordinary legislative session this past week: House Bill 1, which redraws Missouri’s congressional districts, and House Joint Resolution 3, which changes how constitutional amendments may be approved through the initiative petition process.

 

House Bill 1 creates a new congressional map for Missouri. Normally, these maps are redrawn once every ten years after the U.S. Census. Lawmakers adopted a map in 2022, but Governor Mike Kehoe called a special session to consider a new version. Under the new plan, Missouri’s 5th District, currently based in Kansas City, would be divided among surrounding districts.

 

Supporters argue this map is a better reflection of Missouri’s population, while opponents say it unfairly shifts voters for political gain.

 

The bill does not include an emergency clause, which means it will not go into effect immediately after the Governor signs it. Instead, citizens would have 90 days to gather signatures for a referendum petition. If enough signatures are collected, voters across the state would have the final say before the map could be put into place.

 

House Joint Resolution 3 focuses on the initiative petition process. Missouri is one of 24 states that allows citizens to propose amendments to the state constitution or changes to state law by collecting signatures to place measures on the ballot. With approval from both chambers of the General Assembly, HJR 3 would ask voters in 2026 whether to change that process. The resolution would require that any constitutional amendment receive not only a simple majority of votes statewide but also majority approval in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts.

 

Supporters say this would ensure that any change to the constitution reflects consensus across the entire state. Critics argue that it would allow a small fraction of voters to block measures that might otherwise pass with statewide support. The resolution also includes a ban on foreign contributions to initiative petition campaigns, something already prohibited under federal law.

 

House Property Tax Committee Turns to Next Steps 

The Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform has wrapped up its sixth and final public hearing, capping three months of testimony from county officials, taxpayers, and policy experts across the state. Now, the committee’s work enters a new phase: turning testimony into recommendations and draft legislation. 

 

These hearings featured some of the most pointed testimony yet. Some testimony about recent property tax cap laws warned that they shift the burden without fixing underlying problems in the system. Committee members also heard from homeowners frustrated with sharp assessment increases and from officials urging lawmakers to protect revenue needed for schools and public services. Ideas repeatedly raised include: creating separate tax rates for different classes of property, requiring certificates of value when property is sold, and modernizing the long-standing Circuit Breaker tax credit for seniors and Missourians with disabilities.

 

The meetings also featured questions for the State Tax Commission about policies that have driven up residential assessments in some counties, particularly Jackson County. While commissioners defended the need to keep values in line with the market, lawmakers pressed for better oversight and safeguards for taxpayers.

 

Though the public hearing series is finished, the committee’s work is not. Members still are weighing out the priorities and potential solutions, with the goal of finalizing a report and preparing legislation for the 2026 regular session. 

 

Child Care Licensing Rule Review Report Released

Governor Mike Kehoe and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) have released a report on Missouri’s child care licensing system, following an executive order earlier this year to modernize and simplify the process.

 

The review examined more than 1,400 licensing rules and identified 177 that were outdated, duplicative, or unnecessary. Removing these would reduce requirements for child care homes by about 12% and for centers by more than 12%, exceeding the Governor’s goal of a 10% reduction.

 

As part of the next steps, DESE plans to consolidate all child care rules into one unified book, while also creating separate guidelines for school-age-only programs. Officials say these changes will make the rules clearer for providers while maintaining high safety and quality standards for children.

 

This effort is part of a broader push to address Missouri’s child care shortage by reducing regulatory burdens on providers and improving access for families. DESE will now begin the formal process of rewriting the rules based on the findings of the review.

 

If you ever have, any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 573-751-2042 or email me at Matthew.Overcast@house.mo.gov. Our office is always here for you.