With just over a month remaining in the 2025 legislative session, the Missouri House of Representatives has maintained its momentum, passing more than two dozen bills in just a few days. Committees are actively reviewing and debating bills across a broad spectrum of issues to ensure that quality legislation continues to move forward, with hopes of passage on the House floor. Here’s a look at some of the bills passed this week:
Preparing Missouri Students for the Future Through STEM Career Awareness
This week, the Missouri House passed HB 33, an important step toward equipping the next generation with the skills and awareness needed to succeed in a technology-driven economy by preparing high school students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The bill establishes the STEM Career Awareness Activity Program for students in grades 9–12, starting in the 2026–27 school year, to increase exposure to STEM career pathways. The program will be supported by the STEM Career Awareness Activity Fund, which will provide resources for qualified providers to enhance teacher instruction and increase student enrollment in STEM-related college programs. The bill addresses workforce development and educational equity by giving students hands-on opportunities to explore high-demand careers, preparing them for success in Missouri’s technology-driven economy.
Expanding and Modernizing Missouri’s Port Authorities
This week, the Missouri House passed HB 1346, a major step forward in strengthening the state’s port infrastructure and regional economic competitiveness. The bill updates and expands the powers of Missouri’s port authorities, allowing them to purchase or lease land in adjacent municipalities or neighboring states, facilitating regional collaboration on large-scale transportation projects. The bill also updates administrative practices, raising the competitive bidding threshold, allowing closed records for sensitive negotiations, and improving financial flexibility by permitting direct funding to port authorities. By modernizing governance and operations, HB 1346 equips Missouri’s ports with the tools they need to compete in a global economy and positions the state as a leader in logistics and riverfront development.
Improving In-Home Licensed Day Care
The Missouri House has passed HB 835, a bill designed to address an inconsistency in current child care laws by allowing licensed in-home day care providers to exclude up to two related children from the total number of children counted toward their licensed capacity. This change aims to level the playing field between licensed and unlicensed providers, encouraging more professionals to offer high-quality care, especially considering Missouri’s childcare accessibility and affordability issues. Supporters argue that the current law unfairly penalizes licensed providers, while opponents raise concerns about safety and overcrowding. The bill seeks to balance the need for expanded access to licensed care with maintaining safety standards for children.
Expanding Hope and Healing for Missouri Veterans
The Missouri House passed HB 262 this week, a meaningful and forward-thinking step toward improving the mental health and recovery outcomes of Missouri veterans. The bill would establish the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act, aiming to improve the mental health and recovery of veterans. The bill creates a dedicated fund to support hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Facilities offering HBOT to qualifying veterans will be reimbursed through this fund, increasing access to this promising alternative treatment. The Missouri Veterans Commission will oversee the program, collect data, and report on HBOT’s effectiveness. This bill offers hope for veterans struggling with invisible wounds by providing new treatment options and encouraging research into their effectiveness.
Expanding Missouri’s Efforts to Investigate Radioactive Waste
The Missouri House this week passed HBs 516, 290 & 778 in an effort to enhance the state’s efforts to investigate radioactive contamination, particularly from federal nuclear activities like the Manhattan Project. The bill expands the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund, allowing local governments, community groups, and individuals to request investigations into suspected contamination. It removes the $150,000 cap on investigation spending, provides more flexibility for testing costs, and empowers the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to seek reimbursement from the federal government for cleanup efforts. The bill also clarifies the process for accessing properties suspected of contamination, ensuring public safety takes precedence.
