PLF Applauds End of Missouri Judicial Deference

Jefferson City, MO; June 10, 2025: Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed 2025 Senate Bill 221 into law. This bill ends judicial deference in Missouri, ensuring that citizens and businesses get a fair day in court when challenging an agency action. With this bill, judges are required to interpret statutes, rules, and agency documents de novo — without bias toward the agency’s interpretation of the law or its own rules.

“Reforms like SB 221 reflect the constitutional separation of powers so precious to our system of adversarial justice — where each party receives its chance to make a case. When judges defer to one party over another, this is unfair and unjust,” said Kileen Lindgren, legal policy manager at Pacific Legal Foundation. “When that party is the government, it is tantamount to collusion against the people who are supposed to be served by those agencies and courts.”

SB 221 takes a critical second step by providing that, “after applying customary tools of interpretation, the court or officer shall decide any remaining doubt in favor of a reasonable interpretation that limits agency power and maximizes individual liberty.” This extra safeguard ensures that the government is working for the people, not against them.

PLF was proud to work with Sen. Nick Schroer, Americans for Prosperity -Missouri, and SPN’s Center for Practical Federalism in affirming this critical piece of accountability to Missouri’s citizens and businesses. Visit these links for more information on ending judicial bias and PLF’s legislative advocacy.