Representative Bennie Cook Capitol Report

Phelps and Maries County Day

 

Phelps and Maries County Day at the Capitol saw a tremendous turnout, with residents from across both counties coming together to engage in the legislative process. The strong participation highlighted the involvement and commitment our communities have in shaping Missouri's future.

 

Standing for Life and Accountability

 

This week in Jefferson City, the Missouri House advanced legislation and addressed legal developments focused on protecting innocent life, strengthening public safety, supporting small businesses, and ensuring accountability in public institutions. These efforts reflect priorities important to families, schools, and communities across Maries, Phelps, and Texas Counties, with an emphasis on fairness, transparency, and responsible governance.

 

House Passes Born-Alive Infant Protection Act

 

The Missouri House approved HBs 1667 and 2294 establishing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. The legislation requires that any child born alive during or after an attempted abortion receives the same legal protection and standard of medical care as any other newborn. The bills establish reporting requirements, criminal penalties for violations, and civil remedies for unlawful conduct, while clarifying that natural pregnancy loss before fetal viability is not considered an abortion. The legislation passed by a vote of 103–40 and now moves to the Missouri Senate.

 

House Unanimously Advances ADA Website Lawsuit Reform

 

The House unanimously passed legislation creating the Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation (HBs 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312 & 1755). The bill addresses predatory "sue-and-settle" ADA website lawsuits that have unfairly targeted small businesses, including family-owned shops and service providers in rural Missouri. The legislation establishes standards to identify abusive claims, authorizes courts to award attorney fees and damages when abuse is found, and provides a 90-day cure period for businesses making good-faith efforts to address accessibility concerns. The Attorney General is authorized to intervene and issue guidance. The bill passed 149–0 and now heads to the Senate.

 

Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against MSHSAA

 

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed a federal lawsuit against the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), alleging its board selection policies violate federal anti-discrimination laws. The lawsuit contends that MSHSAA restricts eligibility for certain at-large board seats based on race and sex by requiring nominees to be of an "under-represented gender" or "under-represented ethnicity." According to the filing, a nominee was deemed ineligible solely because of his race and gender. The Attorney General is seeking a court declaration that the policy is unlawful and an injunction preventing race- or sex-based disqualifications in board selections.

 

Constitutional Sheriff Legislation – HJR 124

 

HJR 124 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure every Missouri county elects a sheriff to a four-year term in perpetuity. The resolution would prohibit the removal of a duly elected sheriff except through a writ of quo warranto initiated by the Attorney General, establishing a clear and uniform constitutional process and protecting the will of the voters. The amendment would not apply to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County. HJR 124 is expected to be heard in committee in the coming weeks.

 

Sentencing and Public Safety Legislation

 

House Bills 2637 and 315 advance a public-safety-first approach to sentencing by ensuring violent and dangerous offenders serve meaningful portions of their sentences and that victims have a voice in the parole process. The legislation establishes clearer, more consistent sentencing and parole standards to promote accountability and public confidence in the justice system.

2026 Blue Shield Community Applications Now Open

 

Missouri counties, cities, and towns may now apply for 2026 Blue Shield Community designation, recognizing jurisdictions that demonstrate strong support for law enforcement and public safety. Communities designated in 2025 may renew their status through the same online portal.

 

The Blue Shield Program, created under Governor Mike Kehoe's Safer Missouri initiative, provides recognition and potential grant funding of up to $50,000 for qualifying public safety equipment and training. Apply here: https://dps.mo.gov/blue-shield

 

Committee Activity Update

 

House committees continued work on legislation impacting rural Missouri, including:

 

Elections:

Proposals addressing voting eligibility for individuals on probation or parole and reinstating Missouri's presidential preference primary with expanded absentee voting.

 

Artificially Generated Depictions of Minors:

This bill expands criminal statutes related to child pornography to include artificially generated visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. It adds artificially generated images to existing definitions of child pornography, explicit sexual material, and prohibited material, ensuring that computer-generated or AI-created depictions are treated the same as traditional visual media under Missouri law. The bill closes statutory gaps that could allow exploitation through synthetic or digitally created imagery. Taxation, Property Taxes, and Fiscal Policy

 

Taxes and Property Taxes:

Measures to strengthen property tax protections, limit unchecked government growth, and standardize real property assessment definitions.

 

Education:

Bills strengthening school bullying response policies and limiting daily instructional technology use in elementary classrooms beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

 

Early Childhood:

A proposal directing locally approved early childhood education sales tax revenues into a dedicated fund in St. Louis County and participating cities.