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SB916 • 2026

Modifies provisions relating to sovereign immunity

Modifies provisions relating to sovereign immunity

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Burger, Jamie; House handler: N/A
Last action
2026-04-20
Official status
Informal Calendar S Bills for Perfection
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. 2026-04-20 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Informal Calendar S Bills for Perfection

  2. 2026-03-11 S627

    Bill Placed on Informal Calendar

  3. 2026-02-26 S488

    SCS Reported from S General Laws Committee

  4. 2026-02-11 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    SCS Voted Do Pass S General Laws Committee (3834S.05C)

  5. 2026-02-04 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Hearing Conducted S General Laws Committee

  6. 2026-01-08 S127

    Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee

  7. 2026-01-07 S43

    S First Read

  8. 2025-12-01 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Prefiled

Official Summary Text

The following summaries of this bill are available:

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Senate Committee Substitute

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SCS/SB 916 - This act modifies provisions relating to sovereign immunity.

SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY FOR MODOT PRIVATE CONTRACTORS (SECTION 537.600)
This act provides that private contractors and subcontractors when acting within the scope of a government contract with the Missouri Department of Transportation ("Department") shall have the same sovereign or governmental tort immunity as a public entity. The immunity shall commence upon the official notice to proceed and continue after the Department formally accepts the completed project.

This provision is identical to HB 2437 (2026) and is substantially similar to HB 2926 (2026) and HCS/HB 1067 (2025) and is similar to SB 559 (2025), SB 117 (2023), HB 101 (2023), SB 832 (2022), HB 2598 (2022), SB 497 (2019), and HB 2386 (2018).

PURCHASE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY CLAIMS (SECTION 537.610.1)
As it relates to political subdivisions purchasing liability insurance for tort claims made against the political subdivision, this act defines the term "purchase" to refer only to the direct acquisition of insurance coverage by a governing body and not any indirect action by contract or otherwise.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/HB 1718 (2026), SB 454 (2025), HB 142 (2025), SB 1346 (2024), and HB 2690 (2022).

CAPS ON DAMAGES FOR SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY CLAIMS (SECTION 537.610.5)
This act provides that the applicable cap on the amount of damages that may be awarded for a claim against the state or its public entities shall be the limitation in effect on the date of the accident or occurrence giving rise to the claims.

This provision is identical to SB 1467 (2026) and is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/HB 1718 (2026).
KATIE O'BRIEN

Introduced

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SB 916 - This act provides that private contractors and subcontractors when acting within the scope of a government contract with the Missouri Department of Transportation ("Department") shall have the same sovereign or governmental tort immunity as a public entity. The immunity shall commence upon the official notice to proceed and continue after the Department formally accepts the completed project.

This act is substantially similar to HCS/HB 1067 (2025) and is similar to SB 559 (2025), SB 117 (2023), HB 101 (2023), SB 832 (2022), HB 2598 (2022), SB 497 (2019), and HB 2386 (2018).
KATIE O'BRIEN