Governor Mike Kehoe signed three major bills on Saturday, June 14, following a special legislative session aimed at helping disaster victims, preserving Missouri’s professional sports teams, and addressing property tax increases.

Calling lawmakers back to the Capitol earlier this month, Kehoe emphasized the urgency of the measures.

“We called legislators back to Jefferson City because the stakes were too high to wait—families and communities needed disaster relief, taxpayers deserved certainty, and critical job-saving investments were on the line,” Kehoe said in a news release. “Without action, thousands of Missourians would have been left without much-needed support, and the state would risk losing jobs and economic development opportunities.”

Among the new laws is Senate Bill 3, which authorizes Missouri to partner with professional sports teams to help fund stadium construction projects. The bill allows the state to cover up to 50% of stadium costs through a combination of bond payments and one-time tax credits, funded by sales tax revenue generated at the stadiums. The total state investment could reach $1.5 billion over 30 years.

To safeguard the public investment, the legislation includes a clause requiring teams to repay the state if they relocate before the agreement ends.

The bill comes as Missouri competes with Kansas, which has proposed covering up to 70% of stadium construction costs in an effort to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across the state line. The Kansas offer is set to expire at the end of June.

Another key provision of the bill provides disaster relief in the form of tax credits—up to $5,000—to help Missourians cover home or renters insurance deductibles following severe weather damage in declared disaster areas this year.

The legislation also addresses rising property taxes. Voters in 97 Missouri counties will be asked whether they want to freeze or cap property tax increases. In 22 counties, taxes could be frozen at current levels, while 75 counties could see a cap of 5% on increases every two years.

Senate Bill 3 was sponsored by Sen. Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, and co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.