MO HB2070

Repeals and replaces section 508.010, RSMo, to establish new venue rules for civil actions in Missouri.

Defines "principal place of residence" as the county where an individual mainly resides in Missouri, with a rebuttable presumption based on voter registration at the time of injury.

Establishes that for tort actions where injury occurred in Missouri, venue must be in the county where the plaintiff was first injured.

For tort actions where injury occurred outside Missouri, venue is in the county where a defendant corporation's registered agent is located or, if applicable, the plaintiff's principal place of residence in Missouri at the time of injury.

Creates exclusive venue rule for foreign railroad injury cases: if the defendant corporation directly or wholly owns/operates the foreign railroad or is a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, venue is exclusively in the county where that defendant's registered agent is located, unless the plaintiff was a Missouri resident at time of injury.