Mo. Rev. Stat. § 34.069

34.069. Bonus preference for honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprises, requirements — rules. — 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:

(1) "Honorably discharged veteran" , any individual who is honorably discharged from any branch of the United States Armed Forces as certified by the appropriate federal agency responsible for the administration of veterans' affairs;

(2) "Honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprise" :

(a) A sole proprietorship owned and controlled by an honorably discharged veteran;

(b) A partnership or joint venture owned and controlled by honorably discharged veterans in which at least fifty-one percent of the ownership interest is held by honorably discharged veterans and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the honorably discharged veteran owners; or

(c) A corporation or other entity:

a. At least fifty-one percent of which is owned by one or more honorably discharged veterans or, if stock is issued, at least fifty-one percent of the stock is owned by one or more honorably discharged veterans; and

b. Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the honorably discharged veteran owners.

2. In letting contracts for the performance of any job or service, all agencies, departments, institutions, and other entities of this state and of each political subdivision of this state shall give a three-point bonus preference to honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprises that are doing business as Missouri firms, corporations, or individuals or that maintain Missouri offices or places of business.

3. In implementing the provisions of subsection 2 of this section, the following provisions shall apply:

(1) The commissioner of administration shall have the goal of three percent of all state contracts described in subsection 2 of this section to be let to honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprises;

(2) If an insufficient number of honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprises submit a bid or proposal for a contract let by an agency, department, institution, or other entity of the state or of a political subdivision of the state, the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply; and

(3) Any honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprise that receives bonus points under this section shall not receive bonus points under section 34.074 .

4. The commissioner of administration may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010 , that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028 . This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.

(L. 2026 H.B. 2593)