Missouri HB2666: Establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act"

What the bill says

From the introduced text:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION HOUSE BILL NO. 2666 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE KEATHLEY. 6374H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk To repeal section 537.528, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to civil actions to protect public expression. Section A. Section 537.528, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 537.529, to read as follows: 537.529. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act". 2. (1) As used in this section: (a) "Goods or services", does not include a dramatic, literary, musical, political, journalistic, or artistic work; (b) "Governmental unit" means any city, county, or other political subdivision of this state, or any department, division, board, or other agency of any political subdivision of this state; (c) "Person" means an individual, estate, trust, partnership, business or nonprofit entity, governmental unit, or other legal entity. (2) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, this section applies to a cause of action asserted in a civil action against a person based on the person's: (a) Communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (b) Communication on an issue under consideration or review in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; or EXPLANATION -- Matter …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Ben Keathley (R, 101) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 15, 2026: Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 4 PRESENT: 0
2. April 15, 2026: Voted Do Pass (H)
3. April 15, 2026: Executive Session Completed (H)
4. April 8, 2026: Public Hearing Completed (H)
5. March 12, 2026: Referred: Judiciary(H)
6. January 8, 2026: Read Second Time (H)
7. January 7, 2026: Read First Time (H)
8. January 5, 2026: Prefiled (H)

Votes

• Reported Do Pass (H) (April 15, 2026): 8 yea, 4 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2666?

HB2666 is a bill in the Missouri Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act".

What is the status of HB2666?

In committee as of April 15, 2026. Latest action: Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 4 PRESENT: 0 (April 15, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2666?

Ben Keathley (R, 101).

Where is the official record for HB2666?

On the Missouri Legislature website: https://house.mo.gov/BillContent.aspx?bill=HB2666&year=2026&code=R