Requires the department of transportation to prioritize federal priority corridors in the statewide transportation improvement program (STIP) and requires any changes to the STIP to be approved by the joint committee on administrative rules

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Louis Riggs

HB 2221 requires MoDOT to prioritize projects along federal priority corridors in the STIP and obtain JCAR approval for any STIP amendments.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

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Bill Summary: HB 2221 (Missouri, 2026)

Main purpose and intent

HB 2221 requires the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to give priority to federal priority corridors when developing the state’s transportation improvement program (STIP). It also adds a procedural gate: any changes to the STIP must receive approval from the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) before they take effect.

Key provisions and changes

Prioritization of federal priority corridors: MoDOT must structure or adjust the statewide transportation improvement program so that projects located along federally designated priority corridors receive priority consideration. This could influence project selection, funding allocation, and sequencing within the STIP.

STIP change authorization by JCAR: Before the STIP can be amended or updated, the proposed change must be approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. This introduces an additional step in the policy process for how transportation projects are updated and funded.

Scope and applicability: The language indicates applicability to the statewide transportation improvement program overseen by MoDOT, with procedural scrutiny by JCAR for changes.

Who or what would be affected

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT): Responsible for implementing the prioritization framework and ensuring STIP updates align with federal corridor priorities.

STIP projects and funding decisions: Scheduling, sequencing, and funding of transportation projects in Missouri’s STIP could shift to emphasize federal priority corridors.

Legislative review process (JCAR): The committee gains a formal veto or approval role over STIP amendments, affecting the timeline and feasibility of project changes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative process status:

Prefiled in December 2025.
First reading in the House on January 7, 2026; second reading January 8, 2026.
Referred to Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026.

Approval timeline: No specific deadline is provided in the available information; however, changes to the STIP would require JCAR approval, introducing potential delays dependent on committee scheduling and review.

Sponsor: Co-sponsor Louis Riggs.

Potential impacts and considerations

The bill could tighten alignment between Missouri’s STIP and federally identified priority corridors, potentially guiding funding toward projects on those corridors.

Requiring JCAR approval for STIP changes adds a formal legislative-rulemaking check, which could slow updates but also increase legislative oversight.

Stakeholders (local governments, MPOs, consultants, and contractors) may need to adjust project prioritization processes to reflect corridor-focused considerations and anticipate additional review steps.

Summary

HB 2221 aims to ensure STIP planning aligns with federal priority corridors and to introduce a formal approval step by JCAR for any STIP changes. If enacted, MoDOT would prioritize corridor-based projects in statewide planning, and all STIP amendments would undergo legislative-rule-style scrutiny before becoming effective.