Missouri HB1718: Modifies provisions relating to limitations on awards for certain liability claims against public entities

What the bill says

From the engrossed text:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION [PERFECTED] HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 1718 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY 5078H.02P JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk To repeal section 537.610, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to limitations on awards for certain liability claims. Section A. Section 537.610, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 537.610, to read as follows: 537.610. 1. The commissioner of administration, through the purchasing division, and the governing body of each political subdivision of this state, notwithstanding any other provision of law, may purchase liability insurance for tort claims, made against the state or the political subdivision, but the maximum amount of such coverage shall not exceed two million dollars for all claims arising out of a single occurrence and shall not exceed three hundred thousand dollars for any one person in a single accident or occurrence, except for those claims governed by the provisions of the Missouri workers' compensation law, chapter 287, and no amount in excess of the above limits shall be awarded or settled upon. Sovereign immunity for the state of Missouri and its political subdivisions is waived only to the maximum amount of and only for the purposes covered by such policy of insurance purchased pursuant to the provisions of this section and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• David Hinman (R, 103) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 8, 2026: Public Hearing Held (S)
2. April 7, 2026: Public Hearing Scheduled (S) - Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 12:00 p.m., Senate Committee Room 1 - 1st Floor
3. March 31, 2026: Second read and referred: General Laws(S)
4. March 30, 2026: Reported to the Senate and First Read (S)
5. March 26, 2026: Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 84 NOES: 62 PRESENT: 0
6. March 26, 2026: Taken Up for Third Reading (H)
7. March 26, 2026: Placed on the Informal Third Reading Calendar (H)
8. March 23, 2026: Perfected (H)
9. March 23, 2026: HCS Adopted (H)
10. March 23, 2026: Title of Bill - Agreed To

Votes

• Third Read and Passed (H) (March 26, 2026): 84 yea, 62 nay, passed
• Reported Do Pass (H) (March 5, 2026): 9 yea, 2 nay, passed
• HCS Reported Do Pass (H) (February 5, 2026): 7 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1718?

HB1718 is a bill in the Missouri Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Modifies provisions relating to limitations on awards for certain liability claims against public entities.

What is the status of HB1718?

In committee as of April 8, 2026. Latest action: Public Hearing Held (S) (April 8, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1718?

David Hinman (R, 103).

Where is the official record for HB1718?

On the Missouri Legislature website: https://house.mo.gov/BillContent.aspx?bill=HB1718&year=2026&code=R