Bill > HB1259

This bill introduces several significant changes to Missouri state law, focusing primarily on estate planning, taxation, and judicial circuits. Key provisions include: establishing a new framework for electronic wills and estate planning documents, allowing digital execution and remote witnessing of legal documents starting August 28, 2025; modifying tax provisions for resident estates and trusts, including a new subtraction for income that would not be taxable if the estate or trust were considered a nonresident; creating three judicial circuit judge positions in the 25th and 26th judicial circuits instead of two; eliminating the Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act; and updating provisions related to restitution for individuals exonerated through DNA testing. The bill requires a title search before placing real property in a trust, introduces new definitions for electronic documents and signatures, and provides guidelines for remote online notarization. It also modifies the process for filing mental health detention applications, removing notarization requirements and allowing for more flexible documentation. Overall, the bill aims to modernize legal processes, particularly in estate planning and document execution, while also making technical adjustments to various state statutes.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1259&year=2025&code=R