Missouri Bills Pre-Filed Ahead of Legislative Session would Impact Auto Repairers

State legislative lawmakers in Missouri have already introduced a number of bills that could impact automotive repair shops directly or indirectly if they become law. Missouri's next legislative session doesn't start until January 8, 2025, but the state allows their legislators to “pre-file” bills before the session begins, which makes it easier for lawmakers to advocate for their priority bills’ passage on day one.

The following bills relate to the state's vehicle safety inspection program: 

HB 334 - Missouri requires vehicles that are over ten years old with over 150,000 miles driven to undergo a safety inspection every two years. This bill would completely eliminate that requirement.

HB 424 - This bill would exempt vehicles of model year 2012 or newer from the safety inspection requirement.

The following bills relate to labor laws:

HB 441 - This bill would require employers to provide employees with one 30 minute meal break (either paid or unpaid) every eight-hour shift. Employees would have to take the meal break within the first five-and-a-half hours of their shift.

HB 546 - This bill would exempt small businesses from the increase in the minimum wage to $15 starting in 2026. It defines "small businesses" as those with 50 or fewer employees, headquartered in Missouri, and at least 80% of its employees work in Missouri.

HB 567 - This law would delay the enforcement of Missouri's paid sick leave program to January 1, 2026.

HB 555 - The minimum wage in Missouri is slated to increase to $15 in 2026. This law would delay the date of that increase to 2028.