SB 1439 - This act creates the "Missouri Entrepreneurial Freedom Restoration Act". The act provides that the right to earn a living in the businesses, professions, occupations, and trades of life is a fundamental right. State and local governments shall not burden a person's exercise of their right to earn a living. Governmental restrictions that burden the right to earn a living shall make the governmental body liable for legal and equitable relief. Government restrictions that burden the right to earn a living do not violate this act if the governmental body can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the burden is necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare; the burden is the least restrictive means to achieve the law's stated purpose; and alternative mechanisms could not achieve the stated government interest without unnecessarily restricting entry into the occupation. A person whose right to earn a living has been burdened may seek declaratory, injunctive, or other equitable relief, as well as nominal damages. A person intending to engage in a profession, but hindered by a governmental burden shall have standing to bring a claim without having to first apply for, obtain, or be denied the relevant occupational license or registration. A prevailing plaintiff shall be awarded attorneys fees and costs. The state of Missouri waives sovereign immunity as to nominal damages up to one dollar for each claim for any act by a government official that violates this act. JIM ERTLE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Schroer

Missouri bill aims to reduce entrepreneurial regulatory burdens through unspecified "freedom restoration" measures while balancing business flexibility against existing consumer and worker protections.

Second Read and Referred S Government Efficiency Committee

Legislative bill overview

SB 1439, the "Missouri Entrepreneurial Freedom Restoration Act," is currently in early legislative stages with limited publicly available details about its specific provisions. Based on the bill's title, it appears intended to reduce regulatory burdens or restrictions on business operations in Missouri, though the exact mechanisms and scope require examination of the bill text itself.

Why is this important

Entrepreneurship and regulatory policy directly affect job creation, business formation rates, and economic competitiveness within the state. How Missouri defines and implements "entrepreneurial freedom" could influence which industries expand or contract and how easily new business ventures can launch, affecting both economic growth and consumer protections.

Potential points of contention

Definition ambiguity: "Entrepreneurial freedom" is broadly interpreted; different stakeholders may disagree on which regulations constitute legitimate business restrictions versus necessary consumer/worker protections

Regulatory rollback scope: Unclear which existing regulations would be affected, creating uncertainty about impacts on labor standards, environmental compliance, licensing requirements, or industry-specific rules

Trade-offs with public safety: Deregulation measures may conflict with worker safety, environmental protection, or consumer safeguard requirements, depending on which rules are targeted