Although the legislative session in Jefferson City was unproductive, some bills have still been passed and will become new laws in Missouri on Wednesday. Stay informed on the latest developments with Governor Mike Parson and the state’s legislation.
Original post of Springfield News-Leader
Despite an unproductive and tense session in Jefferson City this year, some bills still made it to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk and gained his signature.
New Missouri laws go into effect Wednesday. Here’s what’s changing:
The right to raise chickens
Through a larger bill focused on real property, Parson greenlit a restriction that keeps home owner’s associations from prohibiting residents from raising backyard chickens. Under the law, property owners, even those under HOAs, can own up to six chickens on properties at least two-tenths of an acre in size. HOAs can still regulate the ownership of roosters.
Other property rights laws
- The same legislation gives counties and municipalities the power to establish a land bank to return vacant, abandoned or foreclosed on properties to private ownership or for public use;
- It also provides an avenue for property owners to remove squatters from their property via a court petition and makes unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling a class A misdemeanor;
- Cities and counties can not require churches and nonprofits to install or provide infrastructure for future installment of electric vehicle charging stations;
- Cities can’t require owners to conduct inspections before the sale of residential property. This does not apply to new construction or requirements under occupancy permits.
No more eviction moratoriums
State law will now prohibit any municipality, county or other political subdivision from imposing an eviction moratorium unless it is specifically authorized by the state.
Senior tax credits
After counties expressed confusion and lack of clarity regarding the initial legislation that provided a “freeze” on real property taxes for seniors, this new law hashes out some of the details. It clarifies that seniors 62 years and older are eligible for the tax freeze. Previously, eligibility was based on Social Security benefits eligibility.
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