by Dr. Isabel Warner
MOST Policy Initiative had a busy legislative session. Our Fellows covered topics relating to taxes, open enrollment, data centers, parental leave, voting, AI, diaper banks, electricity pricing, electric vehicles, and so much more.
Scroll down to the end for a table of Science Notes, or check them out in our database.
AI & Technology
Legislators were interested in the impacts of AI on education and the workforce. Dr. Isabel Warner wrote about State Regulation of AI and the Workforce, the Impact of AI on Jobs, and AI in Manufacturing. She also covered ways states can start Preparing Students for AI.
Dr. Chinenye Izuegbunam wrote about advances in Cultivated Meat, and state level regulations for labeling and consumption.
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Hemp regulation was a big discussion, and Dr. Chinenye Izuegbunam shared MOST’s work on Hemp Agriculture.
Environmental contamination was a concern this legislative session. Dr. Maryluz Hoyos Ensuncho wrote about the impacts of Balloon Release on the environment, and Dr. Chinenye Izuegbunam wrote about regulations guiding the Application of PFAS to Land and Condensation Trails.
Education
Relatedly, both K-12 and higher education budgets were examined in this session. Dr. Isabel Warner wrote about the history of MO University Funding & Tuition, and Dr. Maryluz Hoyos Eunsuncho wrote about Federal Education Funding. Dr. Warner also covered the impact of Tuition Rates on access to higher education.
Open enrollment, particularly HB 711, was once again a consideration for the legislature. Dr. Hoyos Ensuncho wrote about the impact of open enrollment on student well-being in Open Enrollment and Bullying, and shared previous notes about Open Enrollment and Student Achievement, and Interdistrict Open Enrollment.
Student safety and classroom discipline was also a concern, as Dr. Warner wrote about Classroom Management Strategies and their impact on student behavior and disciplinary outcomes. This built on her previous work examining the effects of Seclusion in Schools and previous work by MOST on Restraint & Seclusion in Schools.
Energy & Utilities
Utility pricing was discussed extensively across multiple bills. Most notably, SB 4 created and modified several new provisions affecting utilities. Dr. Maryluz Hoyos Ensuncho wrote about the effects of using Future Test Years on rate increases, and the impacts of deregulating Electricity Retail choice on consumer pricing. She compiled the current state of Retail Electricity Prices in MO, in an update from 2022 rates, and discussed how Building Energy Codes affect energy usage. She also shared information on the Cost of Coal Power Plants and the factors and considerations that lead to their closure.
Legislators were also interested in alternative energy, such as Hydropower, explained by Dr. Chinenye Izuegbunam, new Electric Vehicle Charging Technologies, and in the durability of Solar Panels.
Power capacity was an important consideration, and Dr. Maryluz Hoyos Ensuncho wrote about what it would take to Power Data Centers, and the impact of Electric Vehicles on Electricity Demand.
Health & Mental Health
Dr. Rieka Yu covered Non-standard Dementia Treatments and the impact of Dementia Services Coordinators on care for patients. Legislators were also curious about the cost-benefits of Preventative Care Spending, and Hearing Aid access through Medicaid. Dr. Izuegbunam wrote about Medicaid Coverage of Genetic Disorders, and Dr. Wielga discussed current policies surrounding Leave for Adopting Parents.
Human Services & Public Safety
Diaper banks were a hot topic this session, with multiple bills to extend the Diaper Bank Tax Credit that expired in 2024. Dr. Isabel Warner wrote about the diaper bank tax credit in her Report on Tax Credits in the State of Missouri. In addition, Dr. Chris Wielga wrote specifically about Tax Credits for Diaper Banks and shared information about Medicaid and Diaper Banks and Diaper Access. Ultimately, SB 43, which extends the Diaper Bank Tax Credit, passed.
Dr. Chris Wielga also covered civil rights and benefits in Voting While on Probation or Parole from a felony conviction, and Noncitizen Benefit Eligibility.
Crime and public safety were key priorities for legislators and the Governor in this session, as evidenced by the passage of HB 495. Following questions from legislators, Dr. Chris Wielga wrote about Community Involvement of Renters about neighborhood involvement, and Neighborhood Disorder about the relationship between community, perceived disorder, and crime.
Fire protection districts were heavily discussed related to HB 1385, and Dr. Chris Wielga wrote about on Volunteer Fire Departments and provided information about Fire Protection Services and Fire Authority.
Tax & Finance
Economic issues and taxes were a high priority, as state budgets forecast the end of federal Recovery Act dollars. This year Dr. Isabel Warner wrote about MO Revue vs. Economic Trends as a companion to her previous work on the History of MO Taxes and the Report on Tax Credits in the State of Missouri. She also covered the impact of Income Tax Elimination in Missouri and the Impact of Economic Opportunity Zones.
Testimony
In addition to notes written in 2025, MOST provided information from our publicly available database of over 300 Science Notes. Dr. Chris Wielga shared information about Term Limits for State Legislators when HJR 67, which would change term limits for the state legislature, was discussed. He also provided testimony about the Legal Marriage Age for HB 737, which raised the marriage age to 18 in Missouri. Dr. Isabel Warner testified on Property Tax Assessment Limits and Property Taxes and Home Values in a hearing for HJR 4, which would have capped property assessment increases at 2%.