MO SB1553

Creates the "Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act" establishing tax credits for nontraditional defense contractors producing critical materials (metals essential to energy, defense, and consumer technologies) or critical pharmaceuticals with high supply chain disruption risk

Tax credits equal 20% of qualified project costs for investments of $5-15 million, or 25% for investments of $15 million or more, with credits non-refundable but transferable and carrying forward for 10 years

Caps total tax credits at $40 million per fiscal year, with credits allocated in order claimed if applications exceed the cap

Establishes the "Grants for Independence from Foreign Influence Fund" with at least $10 million in appropriations, providing grants up to $500,000 per application for qualified project costs administered by the Missouri Development Finance Board

Expands existing sales tax exemptions to include critical materials and critical pharmaceuticals in the definition of "product" for manufacturing exemption purposes, with the program set to sunset December 31, 2036