Missouri Senate perfects funding bill for MURR, sports stadium incentives

(Editor's note, 6/5: The story has been updated to reflect the latest votes in the Senate and the current status of the bills.)

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Senate on Wednesday gave initial approval to a measure that would give $50 million in funding for the University of Missouri Research Reactor.

Senate Bill 1 received Senate perfection Wednesday night. Funding for MURR was one of the capital projects that was laid out for this summer’s special session after funding failed to make it past the finish line during the end of May’s regular session. Senators must still give it a full vote on the floor for final approval. If passed, the House of Representatives will take them up for debate.

Kehoe called for the special session on May 27.

In addition, about $125 million was passed for recent storm relief, with $100 million going toward the St. Louis area that was hit hard during severe storms in May, and $25 milling going toward affordable housing relief around the state. Senate Bill 4 that would speed up the process of dispersing funds for emergency aid in the state was passed as well.

Kehoe announced an amended call for the session earlier on Wednesday to add items, including disaster relief and tax policy.

A bill to incentivize Kansas City sports teams to stay in the state also received Senate perfection early Thursday morning in SB 3. Republican senators pushed to get a property tax freeze program for 97 counties in Missouri. Voters in those counties will decide in April 2026 whether or not to institute property tax rate freezes similar to what seniors receive in the state.

SB 3 also offers a $5,000 tax credit in 2025 to people whose homes were damaged in storms.

If the House of Representatives approves these bills, the session will reconvene on June 16.

This is a developing story.