Part ofState Government →
The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Enacted
Missouri updates duties of Legislative Research Committee and authorizes web-based legal publications
Original title: Modifies duties and functions of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research
Last action · July 13, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsor: Mike Bernskoetter
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.
What This Bill Does
The Missouri General Assembly enacted legislation modifying the duties of the to provide laws and resolutions in web-based electronic formats, repeal free distribution of printed laws to certain public officials, and direct revenue from statute sales into the .
Why it matters
Changes how state laws and legal publications are distributed and funded, ending free print copies for local officials and shifting sales revenue into a dedicated legislative research fund.
Background
- The Joint Committee on Legislative Research is a permanent joint committee of the Missouri General Assembly responsible for legislative research, reference services, and publishing state laws. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Directly affected
Joint Committee on Legislative Research
The committee assumes new duties to provide web-based electronic formats of laws and manage statute sales and deposits into the Statutory Revision Fund.
Directly affected
General Assembly members and local officials
Free distribution of printed session laws and related documents to members of the General Assembly, judges, prosecuting attorneys, and sheriffs is repealed.
Directly affected
State Treasurer
Serves as custodian of the Statutory Revision Fund and makes disbursements for republication and electronic processing costs.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will state laws and resolutions be made available under the new law?
The is required to provide copies or make them available in a web-based electronic format, or both.
Where do the proceeds from selling revised statutes and legal publications go?
Money received from sales is paid to the director of revenue and deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the .
Are local officials still entitled to receive free printed copies of laws?
No, the provision granting free printed copies to members of the General Assembly, county circuit clerks, circuit judges, associate circuit judges, prosecuting attorneys, and sheriffs has been repealed.
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
35 actions- Jul 13, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolledSigned by Governor
- May 28, 2026SenateReported Duly Enrolled Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions & Ethics Committee
- May 28, 2026SenateSigned by Senate President Pro Tem
- May 28, 2026HouseSigned by House Speaker
- May 28, 2026Office of the GovernorDelivered to Governor
- May 13, 2026SenateS concurs in HCS, as amended
Show 29 earlier actions
- May 13, 2026SenateFloorS Third Read and Passed
- May 13, 2026SenateFloorTruly Agreed To and Finally Passed
- May 12, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Do Pass H Fiscal Review
- May 12, 2026HouseHA 1 to HCS H offered & adopted (Cupps)--(6122H02.06H)
- May 12, 2026HouseHA 2 to HCS H offered & defeated (Boyko)--(6122H02.07H)
- May 12, 2026HouseHA 3 to HCS H offered & adopted (Steinhoff)--(6122H02.08H)
- May 12, 2026HouseHCS, as amended, H adopted --(6122H.02C)
- May 12, 2026HouseFloorH Third Read and Passed
- May 11, 2026HouseCommitteeVoted Do Pass H Fiscal Review
- May 11, 2026HouseBill Placed on H Informal Calendar
- May 5, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred H Fiscal Review Committee
- Apr 29, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Voted Do Pass H Rules - Legislative
- Apr 29, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Reported Do Pass H Rules - Legislative
- Apr 27, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Referred H Rules - Legislative
- Apr 23, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Voted Do Pass H Budget
- Apr 23, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Reported Do Pass H Budget
- Apr 15, 2026HouseHearing Conducted H Budget
- Apr 8, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred H Budget
- Apr 7, 2026HouseFloorH Second Read
- Apr 2, 2026SenateFloorS Third Read and Passed
- Apr 2, 2026HouseIntroducedH First Read
- Mar 31, 2026SenatePerfected
- Mar 31, 2026SenateReported Truly Perfected S Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee
- Mar 25, 2026SenateReported from S Government Efficiency Committee
- Mar 23, 2026SenateCommitteeVoted Do Pass S Government Efficiency Committee
- Feb 23, 2026SenateHearing Conducted S Government Efficiency Committee
- Feb 5, 2026SenateFloorSecond Read and Referred S Government Efficiency Committee
- Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroducedS First Read
- Dec 29, 2025SenatePrefiled
Version history & redline
4 versions on fileComparing 6122H.02T - Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed → 6122S.01P - Perfected
removed addedOfficial text
EXPLANATION-Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in this bill is not enacted
and is intended to be omitted in the law.
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
removed: [TRULY AGREED TO AND FINALLY PASSED]
HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE BILL NO. 1470
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
2026
6122H.02T
AN ACT
To repeal sections 2.040, 2.050, 2.060, 3.010, 3.110, 3.125, 3.140, 3.142, 23.010, 23.020, 23.040,
23.050, 23.060, 23.070, 23.080, 23.090, 23.140, 23.150, 23.160, 23.170, 23.195, and
23.262, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof nineteen new sections relating to the duties
and functions of the joint committee on legislative research.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Sections 2.040, 2.050, 2.060, 3.010, 3.110, 3.125, 3.140, 3.142, 23.010, 23.020, 23.040, 23.050, 23.060, 23.070, 23.080, 23.090, 23.140, 23.150, 23.160, 23.170, 23.195, and 23.262, RSMo, are repealed and nineteen new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 2.040, 2.050, 2.060, 3.010, 3.110, 3.125, 3.140, 3.142, 23.010, 23.020, 23.040, 23.050, 23.060, 23.070, 23.080, 23.090, 23.140, 23.150, and 23.195, to read as follows: 2.040. The joint committee on legislative research shall provide copies of, or make available in a web-based electronic format, or both, all laws, measures and resolutions duly enacted by the general assembly and all amendments to the constitution and all measures approved by the people since the last publication of the session laws pursuant to section 2.030, giving the date of the approval or adoption thereof. The joint committee on legislative research shall headnote, collate, index the laws, resolutions and constitutional amendments, and compare the proof sheets of the printed copies with the original rolls. The revisor of statutes shall insert therein an attestation under the revisor's hand that the revisor has compared the laws, resolutions, constitutional amendments and measures therein contained with the original rolls and copies in the office of the secretary of state and that the same are true copies of such laws, measures, resolutions and constitutional amendments as the same 27,574 more removed characters - read the previous versionadded: [PERFECTED]
SENATE BILL NO. 1470
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR BERNSKOETTER.
6122S.01P KRISTINA MARTIN, Secretary
AN ACT
To repeal sections 2.040, 2.050, 2.060, 3.010, 3.110, 3.125, 3.140, 3.142, 23.020, 23.040, and
23.070, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof eleven new sections relating to the duties
and functions of the joint committee on legislative research.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Sections 2.040, 2.050, 2.060, 3.010, 3.110, 3.125, 3.140, 3.142, 23.020, 23.040, and 23.070, RSMo, are repealed and eleven new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 2.040, 2.050, 2.060, 3.010, 3.110, 3.125, 3.140, 3.142, 23.020, 23.040, and 23.070, to read as follows: 2.040. The joint committee on legislative research shall provide copies of, or make available in a web-based electronic format, or both, all laws, measures and resolutions duly enacted by the general assembly and all amendments to the constitution and all measures approved by the people since the last publication of the session laws pursuant to section 2.030, giving the date of the approval or adoption thereof. The joint committee on legislative research shall headnote, collate, index the laws, resolutions and constitutional amendments, and compare the proof sheets of the printed copies with the original rolls. The revisor of statutes shall insert therein an attestation under the revisor's hand that the revisor has compared the laws, resolutions, constitutional amendments and measures therein contained with the original rolls and copies in the office of the secretary of state and that the same are true copies of such laws, measures, resolutions and constitutional amendments as the same appear in the original rolls in the office of the secretary of state. The joint committee on legislative research shall cause the completed laws, resolutions and constitutional amendments to be printed and bound, or produced in a web-based electronic format, or both. 2.050. The complete printed copies of laws, resolutions, constitutional amendments and measures when printed and bound shall be delivered to the revisor of statutes who shall distribute [one copy without cost to each member of the general assembly and one copy each, without cost, to every county circuit clerk, circuit judge, associate circuit judge, prosecuting attorney, and sheriff. One copy each, without cost, shall be delivered to other officers, institutions and agencies who are entitled to copies of the Revised Statutes of Missouri under section 3.130, if requested] such copies in accordance with section 3.130. 2.060. The revisor of statutes may sell copies of the laws and resolutions[, not required by this chapter to be distributed without charge,] at actual cost of printing and binding, as determined by the joint committee on legislative research, plus the cost of delivery, and the money received therefor shall be [paid to the director of revenue and] deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the statutory revision fund. be provided for a general republication of the revised statutes, the general assembly shall adopt a concurrent resolution for such general republication. The [annotations or] supplements to the revised statutes of Missouri may be printed separately and without a concurrent resolution being adopted by the general assembly. The cost of printing, binding and delivery of such [publication] publications shall be paid from funds appropriated from the general revenue for that purpose or, if no appropriation is provided for that purpose, from the statutory revision fund under section 3.142. 3.110. The printing and publication of the revised statutes of Missouri, annotations thereto and supplements or pocket parts and the paper used therefor, [shall] may be obtained through the state director of the division of purchasing, as otherwise provided by law. 3.125. 1. The committee may publish annual or biennial cumulative or noncumulative supplements or pocket parts to the revised statutes of Missouri in lieu of complete editions thereof except at such times as complete editions are published. Any supplement or edition of pocket parts is subject in all respects to the provisions of this law relating to the publication of an edition of the revised statutes and the committee has the same powers and duties with respect to the publication thereof. When funds for the printing thereof are duly appropriated by the general assembly or moneys in the statutory revision fund under section 3.142 are available, the committee shall cause to be classified, arranged, numbered and printed in either an edition of the revised statutes or in supplements or pocket parts thereto, in accordance with this chapter, all laws of a general nature adopted at any session of the general assembly. 2. The committee shall report to the general assembly whenever called upon, and shall prepare and submit to the general assembly such consolidation, revision and other matters relating to the statutes as can be completed from time to time. 3.140. The committee on legislative research may, through the revisor of statutes, sell copies of the revised statutes of Missouri, and any supplement or edition of pocket parts thereto, in print and/or in a web-based electronic format at a price to be determined by the committee, taking into account the cost of printing and binding, producing the statutes and maintaining the website, including the cost of delivery, and the money received therefor shall be paid to the director of revenue and deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the [general revenue fund] statutory revision fund as required under section 3.142. 3.142. 1. There is hereby established in the state treasury a revolving fund known as the "Statutory Revision Fund", and which shall receive funds paid to the revisor of statutes for sales of the revised statutes of Missouri or any supplement thereto, whether in printed, electronic, magnetic, or other form and funds received for any other service for which there is a fee charged by the committee on legislative research. The committee on legislative research shall determine the form and any fees or charges for the statutes or services. The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund and shall make disbursements from the fund for the costs associated with general republication of the revised statutes of Missouri and its annual supplements if no specific appropriation is provided by the general assembly, and enhancing or producing the electronic form of the revised statutes in a computer readable form, enhancing the electronic processing of computerized legislative drafting and such other purposes authorized by the joint committee on legislative research upon appropriation by the general assembly. Moneys in the fund may also be used at the direction of the committee on legislative research to provide the revised statutes of Missouri and any supplement thereto to public libraries of this state in a computer readable format for use by patrons of the libraries. 2. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of any biennium not to exceed twice the cost of providing the [annual supplement to] general republication of the revised statutes of Missouri is exempt from the provisions of section 33.080 relating to transfer of unexpended balances to the ordinary revenue fund. 23.020. The committee shall perform the following services for the members of the general assembly: (1) Provide a research and reference service on legislative problems; (2) Upon written request, make investigation into legislative and governmental institutions of this state or other states to aid the general assembly; (3) Upon written request, assist and cooperate with any interim legislative committee or commission created by the general assembly; (4) Upon [written] request of the joint committee, draft or aid in drafting revision bills under section 23.045, and any resolutions[, memorials] and amendments directly related to any revision bill or the duties and functions of the joint committee on legislative research, and render any other service in connection therewith for any member of the general assembly. 23.040. From the time the general assembly of the state convenes until it is adjourned finally, the committee on legislative research, through its representatives, shall give consideration to and service concerning any bill before the general assembly requested by any member of the senate or the house of representatives or any committee of the general assembly having the bills before it for consideration. This service shall continue after adjournment and during any recess or vacation. Employees of the committee shall not oppose or urge legislation but, upon request, shall assist members of the general assembly as to bills, resolutions and measures, [draft them in proper form] and furnish to members any available information upon matters which fall within the scope of the duties of the committee. 23.070. The committee on legislative research shall meet within [ten] thirty days after the convening of each general assembly and organize by selecting a [chairman and a vice chairman] chairperson and vice chairperson, one of whom shall be a member of the senate and one of whom shall be a member of the house of representatives. [Until January of 1985, the chairman shall be a member of the house. In 1985 the chairman shall be a member of the senate. In 1987 the chairman shall be a member of the house. The chairmanship] The chairpersonship and vice chairpersonship shall alternate between members of the senate and house [each] every two years [after 1987]. The director shall serve as secretary to the committee on legislative research. Unless otherwise directed by the committee, [he] the director shall keep the records of the committee and be subject to the jurisdiction and order of the committee during the vacation or recess of the general assembly. The regular meeting place of the committee shall be in Jefferson City, Missouri, and after its inception and organization it shall regularly meet at least [once every three months] twice a year. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a quorum may act for the entire committee. Special meetings of the committee may be called at such time and place within the state as the [chairman] chairperson thereof designates.
Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
policy shift95% confidence
Digital Transition for State Laws
The legislation shifts state legal publishing from mandatory free print distribution to web-based electronic accessibility.
Connected Entities
OrganizationDivision of Purchasing“State division for obtaining printing and publication services”Map →
OrganizationJoint Committee on Legislative Research“Committee responsible for publishing and distributing state laws and statutes”Map →
OrganizationStatutory Revision Fund“Revolving state treasury fund for republication and electronic processing of sta”Map →
Sources
Open source document
www.senate.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools