Missouri Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)
What it is & who requires it
Any contractor providing construction services on a Missouri public-works project for a state, county, city, township, school district, or other political subdivision where the estimated cost exceeds $50,000.
Obligee: Missouri public entities (the public entity letting the contract). Citation: RSMo 107.170, incl. subsec. (8) (current through A.L. 2025 H.B. 199; eff. Aug 28, 2025).
Bond amount
Required when the public-works contract cost is estimated to exceed $50,000; the bond is in an amount fixed by the public entity (the statute sets no percentage or fixed figure). The bond is statutorily deemed to contain the §107.170 conditions. Under §107.170(8), providing the bond precludes subcontractor and supplier mechanic’s liens under chapter 429 against the public-works project.
How to get it
This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
Request a bond quote
Tell us about the bond and the project. A licensed producer follows up — these bonds are individually underwritten, so they are not issued instantly.
Term & renewal
Term: Duration of the public-works contract (project bond)
Renewal: N/A (project bond)
Filing
Furnished to the public entity letting the contract before the contract is executed, and it runs for the duration of the public-works project. Required under RSMo 107.170 (including subsection (8)); remote suppliers must give 90-day written notice to recover, and the penal sum is set by the public entity on each project’s contract documents.
Source
Verified against the obligee source (last checked 2026-06-06).
Related Missouri bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Missouri Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- It’s required by Missouri public entities (the public entity letting the contract) (RSMo 107.170, incl. subsec. (8) (current through A.L. 2025 H.B. 199; eff. Aug 28, 2025)). Any contractor providing construction services on a Missouri public-works project for a state, county, city, township, school district, or other political subdivision where the estimated cost exceeds $50,000.
- How much is the Missouri Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- Required when the public-works contract cost is estimated to exceed $50,000; the bond is in an amount fixed by the public entity (the statute sets no percentage or fixed figure). The bond is statutorily deemed to contain the §107.170 conditions. Under §107.170(8), providing the bond precludes subcontractor and supplier mechanic’s liens under chapter 429 against the public-works project.
- How do I get the Missouri Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
- What is the term?
- Duration of the public-works contract (project bond) Renewal: N/A (project bond)
- Is this bond insurance for me?
- No. It protects the obligee and the public — not you. If a valid claim is paid, you repay the surety.
- How is this requirement verified?
- We verify it against the obligee’s primary source (last checked 2026-06-06); the source link is on this page.
