Why SB 919 Matters
Missouri families are being squeezed out of their homes, and it’s not because they’ve suddenly done something wrong. It’s because the system that governs property assessments and taxes has drifted away from fairness, transparency, and common sense.
Across our state — not just in Jackson County, but in rural, suburban, and urban communities alike — homeowners are opening their tax bills and seeing shocking increases. Although there is a Senior Tax Credit Program, many seniors on fixed incomes are still uninformed of its benefits and how to participate. Young families trying to stay rooted in their neighborhoods, as well as working Missourians who have lived in their homes for decades are all feeling the same pressure: rising property taxes that threaten their ability to buy and keep a home.
The Missouri State Tax Commission has issued memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to more than 80 counties, directing them to raise home assessments to meet a required threshold of 90–110% of market value. As a result, many counties are now implementing drastic assessment increases — often with little warning, limited explanation, and no meaningful safeguard for taxpayers.
Property Rights are Key to Liberty.
I believe strongly in property rights. Your home is not just an asset on a spreadsheet — it’s where you raise your children, care for aging parents, build community, and put down roots. Government policy should help people stay in their homes, not tax them out of them.
SB 919 is a comprehensive, taxpayer-focused response to the property tax crisis Missouri is facing right now. The bill does four important things to restore fairness, accountability, and predictability to the system.
1. 5% Cap on Real Property Tax Liability Every 2 Years
SB 919 expands and strengthens property tax relief statewide.
Instead of limiting tax credits to certain counties, this bill ensures all Missouri counties provide a property tax credit that caps annual increases in real property tax liability at whichever is lower of:
- 5% every 2 years, or
- Consumer Price Index (rate of inflation)
For properties that are officially determined to be undervalued, a temporary cap of 15% every 2 years would apply until valuations are brought back into compliance. Once that happens, the lower cap applies again.
This approach recognizes the need for valuation corrections while still protecting property owners from sudden, destabilizing tax spikes.
2. Protecting Property Owners from Unexpected Reclassification
SB 919 prevents assessors from reclassifying real property without first conducting an in-person consultation with the property owner. Too often, property owners don’t find out their property has been reclassified until they receive their bill.
Under this bill, assessors must make a documented, good-faith effort to contact the owner before a reclassification can occur. This ensures transparency, communication, and basic due process — principles every taxpayer deserves.
3. Stopping Excessive Assessment Increases on Homes
Current law allows residential property assessments to increase by more than 15% if an assessor conducts a physical inspection. Under my legislation, the assessed valuation of residential real property may not increase by more than 15% — period. No exceptions.
Property owners would maintain the right to request a physical inspection of their property, but without fear that doing so could lead to a higher assessment.
4. Requiring Fair and Consistent Valuation Standards
SB 919 brings clarity and accountability to how the State Tax Commission equalizes property values across counties.
The Missouri Constitution requires the Commission to determine whether property is valued above or below true market value. Currently, the STC uses a threshold of 90-110% of true market value. That threshold is set by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), not Missouri statute.
This bill creates Missouri statute that dictates the threshold be lowered to 75% - 100% of true market value. I don't believe anyone should be paying taxes on anything over 100%.
This ensures consistency statewide and prevents extreme valuation swings that harm local communities and household budgets.
Keeping Missourians in Their Homes
The problem of Increasing real property taxes is no longer isolated to Jackson County. It is happening across Missouri, and it demands a statewide solution.
SB 919 is about continuing to fund local government while providing fairness & predictability to taxpayers. Most importantly, it’s about keeping people in their homes rather than taxing people out of them.
I will continue to stand up for property owners, fight for transparency in government, and work to ensure that Missouri’s tax system reflects our shared values of fairness, stability, and respect for the people who call this state home.
