Missouri Is Leaving Its Veterans Behind
Source: Housing Assistance Council — Supporting Veterans in Missouri
Over 50,000 Missouri veterans are already living in homes with major problems. Nearly 1 in 4 veterans pays too much for housing. Missouri's median veteran household income is $68,000 — $2,000 below the state median. HJR115 won't fix every problem — but eliminating the property tax burden for 14,000 of the most severely disabled veterans keeps people in their homes.
View full Missouri veterans data — Housing Assistance Council →
What This Constitutional Amendment Means for Missouri's Disabled Veterans
HJR115 is a constitutional amendment introduced by Rep. Dave Griffith. It passed through the House with a vote of 152-2 with the only nay votes from Rep. Davis(Cass County) and surprisingly Rep. Matthiesen from St.Charles County which has a robust Veteran population. HJR is now at the Senate and needs to clear the same procedural process and voted on before May 15 to go directly to Missouri voters on the November 2026 ballot. The Senate passed an identical measure in scope 32-0 last year in SJR46 but that failed to materialize because of end of session — Senate support is not the obstacle. If voters approve it, it becomes part of the Missouri Constitution — permanent, protected, and beyond the reach of any future legislature.
| Who Qualifies | What They Get | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Service-Connected Disabled Veteran | Full Exemption | Complete property tax exemption on primary residence — permanent and constitutionally guaranteed |
| Surviving Spouse | Full Exemption | Spouse keeps full exemption after veteran's death as long as they remain in the home |
| Former Prisoner of War | Full Exemption | Already in Missouri Constitution — HJR115 extends this same constitutional protection to all 100% disabled veterans |
Based on HJR115 as introduced by Rep. Dave Griffith, 103rd General Assembly, 2026 session. Applies to primary residence up to 2.5 acres. Requires Senate approval to place on the November 2026 ballot, then voter approval to become part of the Missouri Constitution. No governor signature required.
The Eight Year Graveyard
This is not a new fight. Missouri veterans and their advocates have been filing versions of this bill every single year since 2018. Every year Missouri state bureaucracy has found a way to kill it — including killing a bill that passed the Senate unanimously. Here is the full record.
The House still let it die on the last day of session.
- 2018Bipartisan bicameral effort. Multiple resolutions filed. Not one received a committee hearing. The House didn't even acknowledge them.
- 2022HJR 73, HJR 86, and SJR 40 all filed simultaneously. All died without a vote.
- 2023HB 593 introduced with bipartisan support. Assigned to committee. Never received a floor vote. Died at session end.
- 2024HB 1419 introduced. Same result. Died in committee.
- 2025HB 552 and HB 921 both filed. HB 921 died in the Emerging Issues Committee on May 15 — the last day of session.
- 2025SJR 46 sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter passed the Missouri Senate 32–0 unanimously in April. Cleared House Rules Committee on May 15 — the last day of session. House leadership never brought it to the floor for a vote. The session clock ran out. A unanimous Senate vote. Dead anyway.
- 2026Rep. Dave Griffith HJR115, a constitutional amendment providing full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans. On April 20, 2026, the House approved and reported to the Senate. Senator O'Laughlin expeditiously assigned to the Select Committee on Property Taxes and the State Tax Commission where it currently sits. ✅ The bill now needs to clear the committee Chaired by Sen. Crawford and then necessary procedural rules to be scheduled by the final gatekeeper Senator Luetkemeyer to be voted on before May 15th, 2026. This ensures that the bill is presented before Missouri voters in November. The clock is ticking.... Session ends May 15, 2026.
Select Committee on Property Taxes & State Tax Commission
HJR 115 now sits in this committee. These six senators hold the key to moving this bill to a floor vote before May 15. Contact them directly — your voice matters.
Majority Floor Leader
As Missouri Senate Majority Floor Leader, Senator Luetkemeyer holds a singular and consequential power: he determines which bills are called for a Senate floor vote and sets the daily legislative calendar. Once HJR 115 clears committee, it is Senator Luetkemeyer who decides whether it reaches the full Senate for a vote — or waits until the session clock runs out on May 15.
Where Your Representatives Stand
HJR115 needs 18 Senate votes before May 15. The Senate passed this 32-0 last year. Below is the full public record from the House vote— Only 2 Representatives voted against it, 152 for. Now we must contact our Senators — but first use the form below to send your voice directly to members of the committee to get this scheduled ASAP.
Voted Against (2 Members)
These two members voted against HJR115 — representing Cass County and St. Charles County, both areas with substantial veteran populations.
Send Your Voice Directly to the Senate Leadership and the Committee where HJR 115 is currently at
May 15 sounds like runway. It isn't — spring recess, Easter recess, floor scheduling, then the Senate still needs to act. The working window is shorter than it looks. Veterans and supporters have already sent messages to the House to help get this to the Senate using this form — from small towns and cities across the state. Let's repeat the process, beat the deadline, and accomplish the mission! Takes 30 seconds. No account required.
Message Sent. Well Done.
Your voice has been delivered directly to Senate Leadership and the Committee.
Share this page with every Missouri veteran and supporter you know.
Session ends May 15 — every message counts.