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SB1491 • 2026

Extends implementation period by one year, excludes litigation costs from maintenance of police force, and authorizes Board of Police Commissioners to adopt and certify its own budget

Extends implementation period by one year, excludes litigation costs from maintenance of police force, and authorizes Board of Police Commissioners to adopt and certify its own budget

Budget
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Schroer, Nick; House handler: N/A
Last action
2026-02-05
Official status
Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee
Effective date
2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-05 S306

    Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee

  2. 2026-01-07 S97

    S First Read

  3. 2025-12-31 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Prefiled

Official Summary Text

The following summaries of this bill are available:

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Introduced

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SB 1491 - This act modifies provisions regarding the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners. The act excludes litigation costs, including attorneys' fees for representation of the board or individual officers, settlements or judgments from the calculation of expenses for the maintenance of the police force.

Currently, the Board cannot transfer appropriated funds from one line item to another. This act repeals this provision and provides that the Board has the authority to adopt and certify its budget. There shall be no transfer from one character classification of expenditure in the Board budget to another character classification without the approval of the Board.

Under current law, the Governor appoints a transition director to ensure an orderly transition of control of the St. Louis police force from the city to the Board of Police Commissioners. This act extends the implementation period from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027.

Upon the assumption of control by the Board, this act provides that the Board, rather than the state, shall be responsible for any contractual obligations of the police department. For any claim, lawsuit, or other action arising from events that occurred before the completion of the transfer, St. Louis City shall continue to provide legal representation and pay all costs, settlements, and judgments associated with such claims without reimbursement from the State Legal Expense Fund or any offset to the Board's minimum appropriation to fund the police force.

Currently, the State Legal Expense Fund is responsible for claims for boards of police commissioners on an equal share basis per claim up to a maximum of $2 million per fiscal year. This act provides that it shall be a "collective" maximum of $2 million per fiscal year.
TRISTAN BENSON, JR.