Bill > HB749

This bill modifies the requirements for annual budgets of political subdivisions in Missouri by updating two key statutes. It mandates that each political subdivision prepare an annual budget that provides a complete financial plan for the upcoming year, which must include a budget message, estimated revenues from all sources, proposed expenditures for each department, debt payment information, and a general budget summary. The bill requires that total proposed expenditures from any fund cannot exceed estimated revenues plus any unencumbered balance. The legislation also specifies that a budget officer (designated by the governing body) will be responsible for preparing the budget, reviewing expenditure requests and revenue estimates, and submitting a proposed budget with supporting documentation to the governing body. A significant change is the requirement that budget documents must be submitted to each governing body member at least seven days before any budget vote, and members cannot be required to request these documents through open records laws. The bill updates gender-specific language by replacing "he" with gender-neutral terms like "the budget officer" throughout the text, and removes a specific reference to chapter 50 and section 165.191 in the budgeting requirements.

Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB749&year=2025&code=R