PRIA Logo™
MissouriHB18702026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Modifies provisions relating to garnishments

Sponsored By: Lane Roberts (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Homeowners can protect more home value

Beginning January 1, 2027, Missouri's homestead protection rises from $15,000 to $40,000 against court-ordered collection. It covers the dwelling, related structures, and connected land used as the person's homestead. Each person is limited to one homestead, and co-owners share the $40,000 limit rather than receiving separate limits. Neither spouse acting alone can validly sell, mortgage, or otherwise transfer the homestead; both spouses must act together.

Higher asset protections, lower jewelry limits

Beginning January 1, 2027, Missouri changes how much property people owing court judgments can protect from collection. The household-goods limit rises from $3,000 to $15,000. The vehicle limit rises from $3,000 to $5,000, plus up to $10,000 of unused household-goods protection. The limit for a mobile home used as a main residence rises from $5,000 to $12,000. Jewelry other than wedding rings falls from $5,000 to $1,700; the catchall personal-property limit falls from $6,000 to $1,700. These limits cover only the person's ownership interest, and the mobile-home protection requires a fee ownership interest.

Debtor protections adjust automatically for inflation

Beginning April 1, 2029, covered property and homestead protection amounts adjust every three years on April 1. Changes use the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers over the latest three-year period, rounded to the nearest $25. Missouri's Revisor of Statutes must publish the new amounts by March 1 before each adjustment. Adjustments do not apply to cases started before that adjustment date.

Health savings accounts gain creditor protection

Beginning January 1, 2027, Missouri expressly protects qualifying health savings accounts from court-ordered collection. Accounts must qualify under federal health savings account tax rules, and protection includes inherited accounts. The protection remains subject to exceptions for qualified domestic relations orders and the law's stated child-support claims.

New account holds and objection rights

Beginning January 1, 2028, new garnishment rules cover account money at federally insured banks, savings institutions, and credit unions. An order generally reaches only money on deposit when service takes effect, not later deposits. Service takes effect before the institution's cutoff on a banking day, or the next banking day otherwise. Protected electronic deposits use the federally required account look-back review date instead. Orders state the amount to withhold and include the debtor's address and last four tax-identification digits, if known. Institutions can withhold from any of the debtor's accounts; joint accounts with non-debtors must cover the full amount sought. Each joint account holder must receive a copy within two business days and can object or claim protection in court within 30 days after attachment. The institution must answer within 20 days, and the return date must be at least 30 days after effective service. Funds are released 60 days after the answer unless an order or objection changes that result; unresolved timely objections can send funds to court. For the same claims, a creditor generally gets only one garnishment against the same debtor and institution per 30 days. A judge can allow another after a no-harassment certification and facts supporting a belief that the institution holds unprotected debtor property. These account rules do not cover wage garnishments or property other than account money.

Banks face less garnishment liability

Beginning January 1, 2028, financial institutions gain liability protection when acting in good faith on garnishment orders that appear valid. They need not decide competing ownership claims, check the judgment's validity, or investigate beyond the order and their records. Damages require gross negligence or willful misconduct in following clear order terms, plus proven actual harm. An institution avoids liability by correcting an error within five business days after written notice and promptly releasing wrongly held funds.

Easier debtor questioning, with testimony protections

Beginning January 1, 2027, creditors can request sworn questioning of debtors before a judgment is satisfied or legally presumed paid. They no longer need an unsuccessful collection execution returned within the past five years. A corporate debtor's chief officer can also be ordered to appear; failure to appear can lead to attachment and contempt. Compelled statements, information, and evidence derived from them cannot be used against the debtor in criminal cases, within Fifth Amendment limits. Perjury and false-statement prosecutions remain exceptions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lane Roberts

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 472 • No: 29

House vote • 4/20/2026

House Adopts - SS

Yes: 141 • No: 9

House vote • 4/20/2026

Reported Do Pass

Yes: 6 • No: 2

House vote • 4/20/2026

Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed

Yes: 142 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/15/2026

Third Read and Passed

Yes: 26 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

Third Read and Passed

Yes: 137 • No: 9

House vote • 2/26/2026

Reported Do Pass

Yes: 5 • No: 1

House vote • 2/18/2026

HCS Reported Do Pass

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Delivered to Secretary of State (G)

    5/6/2026House

  2. Approved by Governor (G)

    5/6/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor

    4/23/2026House

  4. Signed by President Pro Tem

    4/23/2026Senate

  5. Signed by House Speaker

    4/23/2026House

  6. House Message

    4/20/2026House

  7. Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 142 NOES: 8 PRESENT: 0

    4/20/2026House

  8. House Adopts - SS AYES: 141 NOES: 9 PRESENT: 0

    4/20/2026House

  9. Taken Up

    4/20/2026House

  10. Reported Do Pass - AYES: 6 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 0

    4/20/2026House

  11. Voted Do Pass

    4/20/2026House

  12. Executive Session Completed

    4/20/2026House

  13. Referred: Fiscal Review

    4/16/2026House

  14. Reported to the House with... - SS

    4/16/2026House

  15. Third Read and Passed - AYES: 26 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

    4/15/2026Senate

  16. SS Adopted

    4/15/2026Senate

  17. SS Offered

    4/15/2026Senate

  18. Taken Up for Third Reading

    4/15/2026Senate

  19. Reported Do Pass

    4/8/2026Senate

  20. Voted Do Pass

    4/7/2026Senate

  21. Executive Session Held

    4/7/2026Senate

  22. Public Hearing Held

    4/1/2026Senate

  23. Public Hearing Scheduled - Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 12:00 p.m., Senate Lounge-3rd Floor

    3/26/2026Senate

  24. Second read and referred: Insurance and Banking

    3/23/2026Senate

  25. Reported to the Senate and First Read

    3/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Truly Agreed

    4/20/2026

    PDF

  • Perfected

    3/9/2026

    PDF

  • Committee Substitute

    2/18/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Substitute

    2/18/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/7/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation