Bennie Cook Capitol Report: Legislative Session Reaches Midpoint as House Prepares for Busy Second Half

The Missouri General Assembly has given final approval to HCS HBs 1908 & 2337, legislation clarifying that pregnancy cannot prevent a court from issuing a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

Under current practice, individuals may file for divorce while pregnant. However, courts in some cases have interpreted existing law as preventing a final divorce from being issued until after the child is born. This has created inconsistent outcomes across Missouri and has sometimes delayed divorce proceedings for several months.

The legislation clarifies that pregnancy alone cannot be used as a reason to delay or deny a final divorce judgment. Courts will still address issues involving custody, support, and other matters related to the child once the child is born, but the marital status of the parties will no longer be required to remain unresolved during that time.

The clarification may be particularly important in situations involving domestic violence, where delays in finalizing a divorce can prolong legal and personal ties between individuals seeking separation.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.

House Sends Anti-Trafficking and Child Protection Legislation to Governor

The Missouri General Assembly has also truly agreed to and finally passed legislation strengthening laws related to human trafficking, child exploitation, and sexual offenses.

The legislation updates Missouri law by replacing the outdated term “child pornography” with the modern term “child sexual abuse material.”

The bill also:

• Establishes the felony offense of grooming of a minor
• Strengthens penalties for child sex trafficking
• Expands civil remedies available to victims
• Requires expanded human trafficking awareness training for professionals such as EMTs, law enforcement officers, social workers, and lodging employees
• Creates the Statewide Council Against Adult Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children to coordinate prevention, victim services, and enforcement efforts

These changes are intended to strengthen prevention efforts, support victims, and provide additional tools for law enforcement to combat human trafficking across Missouri.

House Advances Proposal to Phase Out Missouri’s Income Tax

The Missouri House has approved HJR 173 & 174, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Missouri voters to decide whether to gradually eliminate the state’s individual income tax.

Under the proposal, the income tax rate would decrease over time whenever state revenues exceed certain growth thresholds. As revenues grow, the rate would be reduced in stages until it eventually reaches zero.

Once the rate drops below 1.4 percent, the income tax would be fully eliminated. If the tax is not eliminated by January 1, 2032, reductions would continue until the tax is phased out.

Because the measure would amend the Missouri Constitution, voters must approve the proposal before it can take effect.

The proposal creates a path toward reducing and eventually eliminating the state’s individual income tax while tying reductions to long-term revenue growth. The measure has now moved to the Senate for further consideration.
 

The Missouri Department of Revenue is warning Missourians to remain alert following a recent surge in phishing text message scams.

The messages often claim to be from the Department of Revenue or the DMV and may threaten penalties for unpaid traffic violations, toll charges, or other fines. Officials emphasize that these messages are fraudulent and are not sent by the Department of Revenue.

The department does not request payments or personal information through text messages.

Missourians who receive suspicious messages should not click any links or provide personal information. Instead, they should delete the message and report the scam to help prevent others from becoming victims.

PBM Reform Legislation Advances

My legislation, House Committee Substitute for HB 1975 and HB 1850, continues moving through the legislative process in the Missouri House. This PBM reform legislation focuses on increasing transparency and accountability for pharmacy benefit managers while protecting Missouri’s local pharmacies and the patients who rely on them. The bill strengthens audit standards, improves pricing transparency, and helps ensure rural pharmacies are fairly reimbursed so they can continue serving their communities.

These reforms will help veterans, seniors, and families by protecting access to affordable prescriptions and supporting community pharmacies across our state. The legislation has now moved to the Rules Committee for further discussion as it continues through the House.
 
 House Bill 2278 – Interscholastic Activities Appeals Board

This week, the House Committee on Government Efficiency advanced my legislation, House Bill 2278, which creates an Interscholastic Athletic Activities Appeals Board to provide an independent review process for disputes involving student athletic eligibility and contest procedures. The bill ensures that students and schools have a fair opportunity to appeal decisions after the activities association’s internal process has been exhausted, helping bring greater transparency and accountability to statewide interscholastic athletics. It also establishes clear procedures and timelines so appeals can be handled efficiently, especially when time-sensitive decisions impact student participation.

The legislation now moves to the House Rules Committee for further discussion as it continues through the legislative process.
 
Constitutional Amendment to Protect Missouri Sheriffs

HJR 124 is a proposed constitutional amendment to ensure every Missouri county continues to elect a sheriff to a four-year term, preserving Missouri’s long tradition of local control. The resolution also establishes a clear constitutional process for removing a sheriff from office through a writ of quo warranto initiated by the Missouri Attorney General. This week, the measure was voted out of the House Rules Committee and now moves to the House floor for consideration by the full Missouri House of Representatives.

Royalty from across Missouri will be recognized at the Capitol, celebrating Missouri’s agricultural heritage, youth leadership, and community pride.
📌 RSVP required
📞 Phone: 573-751-2264
📧 Email: bennie.cook@house.mo.gov

As always, it is an honor to represent the people of Maries, Phelps, and Texas Counties in the Missouri House of Representatives. If you have questions about legislation or need assistance with a state issue, please contact my office. My staff and I are always happy to help.

📞 573-751-2264

📧 bennie.cook@house.mo.gov