Missouri HB 2517 & SB 973: Wholesaler Disclosure Laws

May Update

As of early May 2026, HB 2517 and SB 973 are active, high-priority legislative proposals in Missouri aimed at regulating real estate wholesalers and improving consumer protection for homeowners. The House bill has passed, but the Senate bill has not quite to the finish line.

Here is the current status of each:

Missouri House Bill 2517

- Status: Passed the House; referred to Senate committee.
- Summary: Sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown, this bill establishes regulations for real estate wholesalers—people who contract to buy homes and sell the contract for a fee.
- Key Provisions:
  - - Wholesalers must provide a written disclosure 14 days before signing a contract.
    - The disclosure must explicitly state the wholesaler does not represent the owner and intends to profit by assigning the contract.
    - Failure to comply allows the owner to cancel the contract and entitles them to return of earnest money.
    - Includes provisions for the Attorney General to enforce these rules.
- Latest Action: Passed the House (130-6) on April 9, 2026, and was referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on April 21, 2026.

Missouri Senate Bill 973 (SB 973)

- Status: Engrossed; moving through the House.
- Summary: Sponsored by Sen. Curtis Trent, this bill is similar to HB 2517 regarding wholesaler disclosures, but also covers broader real estate transaction rules.
- Key Provisions:
  - - Includes the 14-day disclosure requirement for wholesalers, similar to HB 2517.
    - Enacts the “Missouri Residential Sale Leaseback Protection Act,” requiring disclosures for sellers who intend to lease back their homes.
    - Prohibits school districts from preventing charter schools from using sold or transferred property.
- Latest Action: Engrossed on March 5, 2026, with ongoing House action (Rules – Administrative Committee) as of late April.

Why They Matter

These bills are designed to protect elderly or financially vulnerable homeowners from “bad actors” who might lock properties up at low prices through misleading contracts. They provide transparency in a growing industry.

Both bills are being considered for potential final passage before the 2026 legislative session ends on May 15th. [1]

Missouri lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at increasing transparency in certain real estate transactions—specifically those involving real estate wholesalers working with homeowners on one-to-four-unit residential properties.

Two bills now moving through the Missouri legislature, House Bill 2517 and Senate Bill 973, seek to establish clear disclosure requirements designed to ensure property owners understand who they are dealing with, how wholesalers operate, and how profit is generated in these transactions.

For real estate investors, this is an important moment. These bills don’t prohibit wholesaling—but they do change how it must be done.

What the Bills Do (At a High Level)

Both bills require real estate wholesalers to provide clear, written disclosures to property owners before entering into a binding contract, including:

Disclosure that the buyer is acting as a wholesaler
Acknowledgment that the wholesaler is not representing the seller
Notice that the contract may be assigned for profit
Confirmation that the price may be below market value
Encouragement for the seller to seek legal advice

If these disclosures are not properly provided, the seller may cancel the contract without penalty—and enforcement falls under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, giving both private citizens and the Attorney General authority to act.

A Key Difference Between the Two Bills

While HB 2517 and SB 973 are substantively similar, SB 973 goes further by requiring disclosures to be delivered at least 14 days before a purchase contract is signed.

That timing requirement has significant implications for how wholesalers operate, particularly for business models that rely on speed, distressed sellers, or rapid contract assignments.

Track the Bills Yourself

Both bills can be followed in real time through BillTrack50:

Missouri HB 2517 – Real Estate Wholesaler Disclosures
👉 (BillTrack50 link to HB 2517)
Missouri SB 973 – Real Estate Wholesaler Disclosures
👉 (BillTrack50 link to SB 973)

MAREI encourages members to read the full text of both bills and understand how they may impact current or future investing strategies.

Insight from the Ground: Marck de Lautour

Area real estate investor Marck de Lautour has been closely following activity in Jefferson City and recently traveled to Jefferson City to testify on behalf of both bills. After he recorded an unscripted Facebook Live Video that we though summarized how the majority of housing providers in the industry feel:

Stay Engaged. Stay Informed.

Real estate is local—and so is policy.

MAREI exists to help investors learn, connect, and do business the right way, including staying informed about legislative changes that affect our industry.

We encourage members to: