Senator Barbara Anne Washington's Legislative Column for Jan. 24, 2025
Friday, January 24, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Jan. 24, 2025
One Step Closer
Hello, Southeastern Kansas City. The bright side to this second week of sub-zero temperatures is that the Chiefs have advanced to their 7th consecutive AFC Championship game, inching one step closer to a three-peat Super Bowl appearance. A polar vortex couldn’t even stop a sold out crowd of dedicated fans from braving the cold and cheering on their hometown team. The Buffalo Bills are going to see how loud and proud our city can be when they return this Sunday!
At the State Capitol, multiple bills moved another step closer to the legislative finish line and were heard in committee. My top three priorities were second read and referred to committees, and I am eager to explain their importance to my colleagues when I present them in an upcoming hearing.
I’m pleased to report I have been named vice chair of the Senate Progress and Development Committee. Proposals that relate to social issues and human welfare will be vetted by this committee, such as my recently referred Missouri C.R.O.W.N. Act. Once again, I will serve on the Senate Appropriations and Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources committees to secure funding for our district and advance urban agriculture programs. This term, I will also join the Senate Economic and Workforce Development and Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety committees.
Next week will be our first full week of regular session activities, with the exception of the governor’s annual State of the State address on Jan. 28. I am excited to hear from our new governor and learn about his priorities for moving our state forward.
We’ve Moved!
If you find yourself in Jefferson City, please stop by my new Senate office in Room 328. You can call my team, Brian and Celestine, at 573-751-5138 to schedule an appointment. We are at your service!
News for the 9th
Day of Service Delivers for the 9th
Thank you to all those who joined me at the annual MLK Day of Service this past Monday. Your generosity enabled us to deliver pounds of nonperishable food items, hygiene kits and other vital products to those who need it most. It sure makes this senator proud to see our community come together to care for their own.
1890 National Scholars Program Accepting Applications through March 1
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the USDA 1890 Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025. The program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2025
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
The Missouri CROWN Act prohibits hair-based discrimination in publicly-funded educational institutions. | Referred to Progress and Development | |
Expands and diversifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun for a minor. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | First read | |
Authorizes a tax credit for qualified providers of employment, employment services or housing for homeless persons. | First read | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing assistance to victims of domestic violence. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical services | First read | |
Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm. | First read | |
Establishes the Cronkite New Voices Act to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. | First read | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services to include midwifery. | First read | |
Designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day to honor Missouri native and Negro Leagues Baseball star pitcher. | First read | |
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. | First read | |
Requires public and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | First read | |
Creates provisions relating to lactating public and charter school students. | First read | |
Requires schools that receive state funds to give excused absences for attending scheduled elections with their parents. | First read | |
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years the opportunity to register to vote. | First read | |
Creates a health advocate program at the Department of Health and Senior Services for eligible pregnant patients. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to restitution for individuals who are actually innocent and exonerated based on evidence other than DNA. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to use of marijuana by family court participants. | First read | |
Authorizes a tax credit for first time home buyers to purchase eligible blighted property. | First read | |
Provides that no person, corporation, or other entity in Missouri shall manufacture, import, possess, purchase, sell or transfer any assault weapon or large capacity magazine. | First read | |
Designates Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to closed criminal records. | First read | |
Creates that eligible offenses be automatically expunged without petition. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | First read | |
Designates every Nov. 9 as Links, Incorporated Day in Missouri | First read | |
Creates a DWI diversion program. | First read | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility after serving 30 years or more of a sentence. | First read | |
Reduces the term of probation for a misdemeanor violation from 2 years to 18 months and removes the drug and alcohol screening for certain offenses. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. | First read | |
Prohibits removing registered voters from the Missouri Voter Registration System unless the voter has not voted in the previous five calendar years or met other criteria. | First read | |
Includes CLASS EA – esthetics and manicuring as a new classification for licensure for cosmetologists. | First read | |
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | First read | |
Prohibits carrying concealed firearms in public libraries. | First read | |
Places limits on increases in the assessment of certain properties, pending voter approval. | First read | |
Eliminates the statute of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | First read |
It is an honor representing the great people of Jackson County’s 9th Senatorial District. If you need assistance navigating state government or understanding the legislative process, please contact me by calling 573-751-3158 or emailing Barbara.Washington@senate.mo.gov. My team is here for you!