The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry worked with lawmakers throughout the 2026 legislative session to advance policies that grow jobs and improve Missouri’s economic competitiveness, including:
“The Missouri Chamber entered the 2026 legislative session focused on one goal: advancing policies that make Missouri more competitive for employers, workers and investment,” said Kara Corches, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Whether fighting back against abusive litigation, expanding affordable health care options for small businesses and working families, or opposing the expansion of illegal gaming, our team worked every day to protect Missouri employers and strengthen the state’s economic future.”
LEGAL REFORM
On May 6, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law legislation that will discourage frivolous lawsuits alleging website accessibility violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The new law will help protect businesses by establishing a legal process to challenge predatory ADA-related lawsuits. If a lawsuit is found to be abusive, the court could award attorney fees and incurred costs back to the affected business.
SBs 907, 1154 & 1272 were shepherded through the legislature by Sen. Brad Hudson (R-Cape Fair) and the bill’s House handler, Rep. Brian Seitz (R-Branson). This critical legislation made its way through the legislative process without receiving a single “no” vote.
“We believe in the importance of the ADA and want to ensure Missouri businesses provide everyone with equal access to their products or services,” Missouri Chamber president and CEO Kara Corches said. “However, a growing number of lawsuits are exploiting technical web accessibility issues rather than working toward real solutions. This legislation lets Missouri take action to curb these predatory practices while still protecting accessibility.”
Additionally, the General Assembly passed SB 916, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Burger (R-Benton) and handled by Rep. Cameron Parker (R-Campbell), which extends sovereign immunity protections to private contractors performing work on Missouri Department of Transportation projects.
The legislation provides important legal clarity and certainty for contractors helping build and maintain Missouri’s infrastructure by protecting them from unfair liability claims tied to incidents outside of their control, including circumstances that may occur before work has even begun on a project site.
“Missouri needs a stable and predictable legal environment to deliver the infrastructure improvements our state depends on,” Corches said. “We were proud to join a broad coalition of business groups including contractors in support of this bill to ensure they can continue partnering on critical transportation projects without facing unnecessary legal uncertainty and frivolous litigation.”
DEFENDING AGAINST BUSINESS MANDATES
In addition to advancing pro-business legislation, the Missouri Chamber remained committed throughout the 2026 legislative session to opposing burdensome government mandates and proposals that would undermine innovation, investment and economic growth.
From efforts that would restrict businesses from implementing operational best practices — such as transitioning away from cash-on-premises models for public safety reasons — to proposals that would limit the deployment of emerging technologies or create new layers of liability for employers, including restrictions targeting artificial intelligence tools and data center development, the Missouri Chamber successfully pushed back against a wide range of anti-business policies.
“Missouri’s economic future depends on creating an environment where businesses can innovate, invest and grow,” Corches said. “Our philosophy is simple: let business decide. Policies that impose unnecessary mandates, discourage technological advancement or increase legal uncertainty ultimately make it harder for employers to create jobs, attract investment and compete.”
HEALTH CARE
A healthier workforce is a stronger workforce – yet for many small businesses and entrepreneurs, access to affordable health coverage remains out of reach.
To help ease the burden on small businesses, the Missouri Chamber championed HB 2596, sponsored by Rep. Peggy McGaugh (R-Carrollton) and carried by Sen. Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo). The legislation expands access to multiple employer welfare arrangement health plans for small and family-owned businesses.
Pooled employer health plans, including the Chamber Benefit Plan, already serve tens of thousands of Missourians. This legislation makes targeted, technical updates to modernize health coverage options.
“When employees and business owners have access to quality, affordable health care, companies and communities are stronger,” Corches said. “By implementing these common-sense reforms, Missouri can expand coverage options and help small businesses compete for and retain talent.”
HALTING ANTI-GROWTH POLICIES
The Missouri Chamber successfully blocked legislation that would have legalized video lottery terminals, also known as VLTs or “gray games,” in the state. While VLTs are often promoted as a revenue boost for local governments, evidence from other states shows they largely shift spending rather than create new economic activity.
Placed in gas stations, bars and neighborhood businesses, VLTs prey on casual gamblers and increase addiction risks. Dollars spent on VLTs are dollars that are not spent at local restaurants, retail stores and family-owned businesses.
“Legalizing video lottery terminals is not an economic development strategy,” Corches said. “Missouri should be focused on sustainable policies that grow our economy, strengthen businesses and create jobs.”
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS
The Missouri Chamber joined a coalition of local chambers of commerce to support HB 3231, sponsored by Rep. Brad Christ (R-St. Louis), legislation aimed at strengthening Missouri’s economic competitiveness through downtown revitalization initiatives and support for innovation-driven investment.
The legislation includes provisions designed to encourage redevelopment and economic activity in downtown communities across Missouri, helping attract new businesses, support local employers and strengthen community growth. Revitalized downtown districts play a critical role in workforce attraction, tourism and long-term economic development, particularly as communities compete to retain talent and investment.
HB 3231 also includes the extension and modernization of Missouri’s Angel Investment Tax Credit, championed by Rep. Sherri Gallick (R-Belton), which is an important tool for supporting startup growth and expanding access to early-stage capital for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Access to investment capital remains a key challenge for startups and innovation-focused companies looking to scale in Missouri.
“States that are winning in today’s economy are the states investing in innovation, entrepreneurship and strong local communities,” Corches said. “From supporting downtown redevelopment to expanding tools that help startups and growing companies access capital, HB 3231 helps strengthen Missouri’s long-term economic competitiveness.”
The Missouri Chamber supported the legislation as part of its broader effort to advance policies that encourage private-sector investment, support entrepreneurship and help Missouri compete for the jobs and industries of the future.
OPPORTUNITY MISSED
Missourians are once again impacted by the legislature’s failure to pass meaningful legislation to strengthen our state’s child care infrastructure.
The Missouri Chamber extends its sincere thanks to Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) for her leadership and dedicated service in sponsoring child care legislation over multiple years. HB 2409 would have established an innovative tax credit package designed to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Missouri Chamber Foundation, Missouri loses an estimated $1.35 billion annually, including $280 million in lost tax revenue, due to child care challenges.
“Improving access to child care supports working families and businesses alike. In fact, it’s vital to our state’s economic growth,” said Corches. “In our most recent CEO survey, 85% of business leaders said the expense and difficulty in finding child care keeps a significant number of Missourians out of the workforce.
“We are grateful to Rep. Shields for her commitment and leadership on this issue. The Missouri Chamber will not stop its work—this remains too important to our state and its economic future.”
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest business association in Missouri. Together with the Missouri Chamber Federation, the Missouri Chamber represents more than 75,000 employers. To learn more, go to www.mochamber.com, or follow us @MissouriChamber on Twitter.
