Bill > HB2299

This bill modifies the qualifications for public office in Missouri by establishing stricter eligibility requirements. The bill maintains the existing prohibition on candidates with felony convictions and adds new provisions regarding tax compliance. Specifically, any candidate for public office must not be delinquent in paying state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, or real property taxes. Candidates must file an affidavit with the Department of Revenue affirming they are current on all tax obligations. If a complaint is filed alleging tax delinquency, the Department of Revenue will investigate. If a candidate is found to have outstanding taxes and does not remit payment within 30 days, they will be disqualified from the current election and barred from refiling for an entire election cycle. The bill introduces a notable exception to the felony conviction restriction: individuals who have been granted a presidential or gubernatorial pardon, or whose criminal record has been expunged, will be eligible to run for public office. This legislation aims to ensure greater fiscal responsibility and accountability for potential public officeholders by linking tax compliance directly to electoral participation.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2299&year=2026&code=R