Modifies and creates new provisions relating to illegal immigrants

VOTER REGISTRATION (Sections 115.158 and 115.160) Current law requires the Secretary of State and the Director of the Department of Revenue (DOR) to enter into an agreement to match information in the voter registration database with information in the motor vehicle system. This act requires such agreement to include information pertaining to the citizenship status of those within DOR's database.

Current law requires all applicants for a driver's license to be provided a voter registration application form simultaneously during the transaction. This act requires the Division of Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing within the Department of Revenue to additionally determine whether an applicant for a driver's license has the requisite proof of citizenship needed to register to vote. Only customers who provide documentation demonstrating that the individual is a United States citizen shall be given the opportunity to register to vote.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 983 (2026), SCS/SB 986 (2026), HCS/HB 2125 (2026), HB 3227 (2026), HB 3263 (2026), and HB 3493 (2026) and similar to provisions in SCS/SB 983 (2026), SCS/SB 280 (2025), a provision in SCS/HB 770 (2025), and the introduced SB 280 (2025).

PUBLIC BENEFITS (Section 209.008) New eligibility verification requirements are created for public benefits, specifically including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Mo HealthNet. Specifically, only people who are United States citiIzens, United States Nationals, or meet the definition of an eligible alien and qualified alien under federal law are eligible for public benefits. Provisions are included dictating the manner of providing proof of identity as one of the aforementioned individuals. Failure to submit acceptable documentation establishing United States citizenship, United States national status, or alien status eligible for such public benefits within the temporary eligibility period shall result in denial or termination of public benefits. No additional period of eligibility for temporary benefits shall be granted to any applicant who has previously been denied public benefits at any time due to a failure to verify United States citizenship, United States national status, or alien status eligible for such public benefits.

The act additionally creates new reporting requirements for Mo HealthNet with respect to illegal aliens receiving certain medical care. Current law prohibits any alien unlawfully present in the United States from receiving any state or local public benefit, including any health benefits, with the exception of emergency medical care, prenatal care, services offering alternatives to abortion, emergency assistance, or legal assistance.

When administering SNAP benefits, the Department of Social Services shall: • Consider the entire income and financial resources of any individual rendered ineligible to receive SNAP benefits under subsection 1 of this section when determining the eligibility and benefit allotment of the household of which such individual is a member; and • Notwithstanding federal law to the contrary, not prorate or exclude the income or financial resources of ineligible individuals under this act. All such income and resources shall be fully considered.

These provisions are identical to SB 1616 (2026) and substantially similar to a provision in SB 1070 (2026).

This provision is identical to SB 1616 (2026) and substantially similar to a provision in SB 1070 (2026), HB 2468 (2026), and HCS/HB 2481 (2026).

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSES (Sections 302.733 and 302.735) This act requires an operator of a commercial motor vehicle to speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals in English, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records.

The act establishes the offense of operating a commercial motor vehicle without sufficient English language proficiency. An operator of a commercial motor vehicle commits such offense if the operator fails to demonstrate the required English language proficiency described above. Violation of this offense is a class D misdemeanor on a first offense and a class B misdemeanor on a second or subsequent offense.

A driver found to be in violation of the English language proficiency requirement is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle in the state until the driver is able to meet the required English language proficiency.

A fine of $1,000 will be imposed on the driver of the motor vehicle, and a fine of $3,000 will be imposed on their commercial motor carrier. The commercial motor carrier will be notified of the location of any commercial motor vehicle involved in a violation of the English language proficiency requirement, and upon payment of the $3,000 fine, a qualified driver will take possession of the vehicle.

If the carrier is unable to pay the fine or present a qualified driver within 12 hours, the owner of any cargo being transported in the commercial motor vehicle may arrange for the transfer of their property to another vehicle, but neither the state nor the owner of the cargo will be liable for any reasonable action to transfer the cargo.

A person holding a nondomiciled commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's instruction permit within this state shall have a valid work visa and provide proof of citizenship to validate his or her identity while operating a commercial motor vehicle. An operator who fails to possess a valid work visa and provide proof of citizenship while operating a commercial vehicle is prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle until such operator is able to meet these requirements and if such operator operates a commercial motor vehicle again without meeting these requirements, such operator commits a class B misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 90 days. A fine of $3,000 will be imposed on a commercial motor carrier whose driver fails to possess a valid work visa and proof of citizenship while operating a commercial motor vehicle. The commercial motor carrier will be notified of the location of any commercial motor vehicle involved in the violation of not possessing a valid work visa and proof of citizenship, and upon payment of the $3,000 fine, a qualified driver will take possession of the vehicle.

If the carrier is unable to pay the fine or present a qualified driver within 12 hours, the owner of any cargo being transported in the commercial motor vehicle may arrange for the transfer of their property to another vehicle, but neither the state nor the owner of the cargo will be liable for any reasonable action to transfer the cargo.

This provision is substantially similar to HCS/HB 2471 (2026) and HCS/HB 3491 (2026).

TORT VICTIM'S COMPENSATION FUND (Sections 537.675 through 595.045) This act modifies the Tort Victims' Compensation Fund by providing that in addition to the current requirements, an uncompensated tort victim shall be a person who is a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident or who holds a lawful visa issued by the United States Department of State. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations shall verify eligibility requirements prior to the authorization of any payment from the Fund.

Additionally, this act provides that an administrative law judge may, as part of any award, determine and allow reasonable attorney's fees, but such fees shall not exceed 15% of the amount awarded to the claimant. No attorney shall ask for, contract for, or receive any sum larger than the amount allowed.

This act additionally modifies those injured victims eligible for payment from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. Eligible injured victims are persons who, at the time of application for compensation from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, are:

(1) A United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a person lawfully present under a valid visa issued by the United States Department of State; and

(2) Killed or suffers personal physical injury in Missouri as a result of the commission or attempted commission of any crime by another person; a good-faith attempt to assist a person against whom a crime is being committed or attempted; or assisting a law enforcement officer in the apprehension of a person believed by the officer to have committed or attempted to commit a crime.

The Department of Public Safety shall verify eligibility requirements prior to the authorization of any payment from the Fund.

This act also modifies the amount of attorneys's fees that may be awarded from 15% to 10% of the amount subrogated to the Department of Public Safety from the claimant's legal proceeding related to the crime.

These provisions are identical to SB 980 (2026) and substantially similar to HB 2177 (2026). SCOTT SVAGERA