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HB 2175

Voids any contracts or court decisions that rely on foreign or Shari'a law

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Hewkin and 4 co-sponsors

Missouri HB 2175 prohibits applying Shari’a or any foreign law to state court decisions, contracts, or transfers if such law would violate constitutional rights.

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 10 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0
#contractsandcontractors #religion
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Bill Summary · HB 2175

Summary of Missouri HB 2175 (Session 2026)

Overview

  • Title: No Shari’a Act
  • Jurisdiction: Missouri
  • Sponsor: Perkins (and several co-sponsors)
  • Purpose: Prohibit the application of Shari’a law or any foreign law, legal code, or system that would deny the fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution or the Missouri Constitution. Void and unenforceable certain foreign-law provisions and restrict transfers that would apply such laws.

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

  1. Definitions

    • Establishes “foreign law, legal code, or system” as any legal framework from outside the United States, including international organizations and tribunals.

  2. Prohibitions on application of foreign or Shari’a law (Section 506.602)

    • The act applies to:
      • State court decisions, arbitration panels, and administrative agency rulings.
      • Contracts or contractual provisions that choose Shari’a law or any foreign law (if severable).
      • Contracts or contractual provisions that grant jurisdiction to a foreign tribunal (if severable).
    • These applications are void and unenforceable if such foreign law would deny fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges guaranteed by the U.S. or Missouri constitutions.
    • Carved-out or non-applicability provisions:
      • Does not disapprove or abrogate existing Missouri Supreme Court precedent.
      • Does not limit ecclesiastical matters of religious organizations (e.g., clergy selection, discipline, doctrine interpretation).
      • Does not apply to corporations, partnerships, or associations that voluntarily subject themselves to foreign law or courts.
      • Does not apply where federal law preempts state law (e.g., treaties or international agreements).

  3. No transfer to apply foreign law (Section 508.074)

    • No state court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or administrative agency may transfer a civil action if the transfer would result in the application of Shari’a law or any other foreign law that would violate constitutional rights.

Who and what is affected

  • Individuals and parties in Missouri: Courts, arbitration panels, and administrative agencies would be bound to reject rulings or contracts that would enforce Shari’a or foreign law inconsistent with constitutional rights.
  • Contracts and agreements: Provisioning for choice of Shari’a or foreign law or jurisdiction to a foreign tribunal (if severable) could be voided.
  • Religious organizations: The bill explicitly preserves internal ecclesiastical matters (e.g., clergy discipline, doctrine interpretation) from this act.
  • Corporate or voluntary foreign-law arrangements: If a business voluntarily subjects itself to foreign law or courts, the act would not apply to them as a blanket prohibition.
  • Federal preemption: The act acknowledges that it does not override areas preempted by federal law.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Fiscal and administrative notes indicate potential, but undetermined, impacts on the Missouri State Courts Administrator (OSCA), with possible court-cost increases in the low hundreds of thousands annually; overall net effect on General Revenue is shown as zero or unknown.
  • The fiscal note also notes no net effect on other state funds, federal funds, or FTEs.
  • Legislative history notes: Public hearing occurred March 11, 2026; HCS (House Committee of Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs) reported Do Pass on March 31, 2026, with several subsequent committee actions.

Practical implications

  • The bill reinforces a constitutional-compatibility standard for any application of foreign or Shari’a law in Missouri legal processes.
  • It creates a framework to void or decline enforcement of foreign laws in scenarios involving civil actions, contract choices, or jurisdiction when such laws would undermine constitutional protections.
  • It may increase litigation over the interpretation of what constitutes “fundamental liberties” and what constitutes a “foreign law” or “severable” contract clause.
  • Explicit carve-outs protect ecclesiastical matters and voluntary foreign-law adoption, as well as federal preemption scenarios.

Related context

  • Filed as a companion to similar prior proposals (noted as HB 2139 in coverage).
  • Supported and opposed testimony in committee reflected concerns about civil liberties, religious freedom, and potential discrimination, with arguments that current law already handles conflicts with foreign law.

This summary presents the substantive elements and potential impact of HB 2175 as introduced in Missouri’s 2026 session.

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

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