SB 896 - The act creates new provisions relating to funds used for election administration. Specifically, government entities, as that term is defined in the act, are prohibited from soliciting, accepting, or using any funds or in-kind goods or services for election administration if those funds or in-kind goods or services are donated directly or indirectly by any person other than a government entity. An election officer may, however, solicit, accept, or use funds or in-kind goods or services of de minimis value.

Government entities are additionally prohibited from being members of or participate in programs run by organizations that engage in election administration and receive foreign funding. Except as otherwise provided in the act, a government entity or election officer shall not join the membership of any entity, participate in any program, or purchase any services from any entity unless the entity complies with certain certification requirements as described in the act.

Violation of these provisions is a class B misdemeanor. Moreover, any registered voter in the state is permitted to bring a cause of action to enforce this act.

The act preempts any local law in conflict with this act.

This act is substantially similar to provisions in HCS/HB 794 (2025).

SCOTT SVAGERA

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5016S.01): 115.1600

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 896
Sponsor: Brown (26)
Hearing Date: 2/2/2026


COMMITTEE: Local Government, Elections and Pensions

CHAIRMAN: Henderson

DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Tristan Benson
Erica Choinka
Alex Cypert
Scott Svagera


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Chad Ennis - Honest Elections Project Action
Chandra Hendren - Heritage Action


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Kurt Bahr - Director, St. Charles Election Authority
Denise Lieberman - Missouri Voter Protection Coalition
Nancy Copenhaver - League of Women Voter of Missouri