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HB 2895

Modifies provisions relating to qualifications for public office

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Kimble

Missouri bill tightens eligibility: prohibits candidates with felonies, requires tax affidavits, and allows disqualification for tax delinquencies, with extra docs for St. Louis ci

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2895

Overview

Missouri House Bill 2895 (2026) seeks to modify the eligibility qualifications for candidates seeking elective public office. The primary changes address (1) prior felony convictions, and (2) compliance with tax payment and bonding requirements, including a new affidavit requirement and potential disqualification for tax delinquencies. The bill also adds a specific documentation requirement for candidates for offices that perform county functions in the City of St. Louis.

Main purpose and intent

  • Strengthen qualification standards for candidates by:
    • Reaffirming prohibition on candidacy for individuals with certain felony convictions.
    • Tightening enforcement related to tax delinquencies and bonding obligations.
    • Enhancing verification by requiring specific tax and bonding attestations from candidates.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Felony prohibition

    • Repeals current section 115.306 and enacts a new Section 115.306.
    • Prohibits any person who has been found guilty of, or pled guilty to:
      • A federal felony,
      • A state felony,
      • A felony in another state that would be a felony in Missouri, from qualifying as a candidate for elective public office in Missouri.

  2. Tax delinquency disqualification and affidavit requirements

    • A candidate for election can be disqualified from participating in the election if:
      • They are delinquent in payment of state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, or real property taxes on their residence (as stated on the candidacy declaration),
      • Or if they are or have been a corporate officer of any fee office that owes taxes to the state.
    • Candidates (except those for county or city committee positions of a political party) must file an affidavit with the Department of Revenue and attach a copy to the candidacy declaration.
    • The affidavit must state under penalties of perjury that the candidate is not delinquent in filing or paying specified taxes or that they are not a current/past corporate officer of a fee office owing taxes, subject to disputes.

  3. Tax delinquency complaint process

    • If a complaint alleges tax delinquency, the Department of Revenue will investigate.
    • If the affirmation is found false, the department will notify the secretary of state/election official and the candidate.
    • The department will require the candidate to remit outstanding taxes within 30 days to avoid disqualification from the current election and bar from filing for the entire election cycle, even if other taxes are later paid.

  4. Additional requirement for certain city offices

    • For candidates for offices that perform county functions in the City of St. Louis, an affidavit must be accompanied by:
      • Official copies of receipts or no-tax-due statements from the collector,
      • Official statements from the collector indicating all taxes due have been paid and no delinquencies exist.
    • Election authority will review this documentation and the tax-payment affirmation.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals filing as candidates for elective public office in Missouri.
  • Specifically, candidates:
    • For offices subject to county functions (with emphasis on the City of St. Louis for the new documentation requirement),
    • Potentially those with prior felony convictions (federal, state, or other states where the conduct would be a felony in Missouri).
    • Candidates who may have tax delinquencies related to state income, local personal property, municipal, or real property taxes, or corporate officer duties for fee offices.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Repeals and replaces Section 115.306 with a new provision structure.
  • Affidavits and tax documentation are to be filed as part of the candidacy process, with an explicit 30-day remedial window if a tax delinquency is identified in a complaint.
  • If a candidate fails to cure within 30 days, they face disqualification from the current election and a bar from refiling for the entire election cycle.
  • The bill adds a filing and verification process administered by the Department of Revenue and requires coordination with election officials.

Potential implications

  • Increased barriers to candidacy for individuals with tax delinquencies or corporate-officer tax obligations.
  • Stronger enforcement against candidates with felony convictions, aligning eligibility with criminal history.
  • More robust documentation requirements for candidates in the City of St. Louis regarding local tax compliance.
  • Possible impacts on candidate recruitment and filing timelines due to additional affidavits and investigative steps.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and reported through May 15, 2026, and does not cover potential amendments, fiscal impact analyses, or final legislative changes that may arise during consideration.

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

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