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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 1642 Authorizes Third-Class Counties to Use Court Fees for Courthouse Construction
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsor: Matthew Overcast
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What This Bill Would Do
Missouri third-class counties are authorized to withhold and use up to fifty percent of collected court costs and fees for courthouse construction or renovation projects for a maximum of seven consecutive years.
Local governments gain a new funding stream derived from court fees for capital projects, directly affecting county budgetary resources dedicated to judicial facilities over a defined seven-year cap.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
third-class counties
County commissions gain the authority to withhold and use up to fifty percent of collected court costs and fees for courthouse construction or renovation.
Key Facts
- Third-class county commissions may withhold and use up to 50 percent of all collected court costs and court fees for courthouse construction or renovation projects.
- The authorization to use withheld court costs and fees is restricted to a maximum of seven consecutive years per project.
- The measure adds one new section, designated as section 488.071, to chapter 488, RSMo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which counties are affected by this bill?
How long can a county use these funds for a single project?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →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
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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