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Bill

HB 2378

Expands certain powers given to peace officers employed by the supervisor of alcohol and tobacco control and peace officers employed by the state fire marshal when certain exigent circumstances exist

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bennie Cook

Missouri bill expands emergency enforcement powers for alcohol/tobacco and fire safety officers during urgent situations without fully clarifying standards or oversight requirements.

Referred: Crime and Public Safety(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2378

Legislative bill overview

HB 2378 expands the enforcement powers available to peace officers employed by Missouri's Supervisor of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the State Fire Marshal specifically during exigent (emergency) circumstances. The bill grants these regulatory officers additional authority that would normally be restricted to general law enforcement, allowing them to take more aggressive action when time-sensitive situations arise.

Why is this important

This bill affects how quickly state regulatory agencies can respond to urgent situations involving alcohol/tobacco violations or fire safety emergencies. It determines the legal scope of what these officers can do without waiting for backup from traditional police, which could accelerate response times but also expands the discretionary authority of non-general law enforcement personnel.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill references "certain exigent circumstances" but the specific details of what qualifies remain unclear from the legislative record, potentially creating inconsistent enforcement standards
  • Authority scope creep: Expanding regulatory officers' powers during emergencies could blur lines between administrative enforcement and criminal law enforcement, raising accountability questions
  • Oversight and training: Unclear whether additional training or oversight mechanisms are established for these expanded powers, particularly relevant given these aren't traditional police officers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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