Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for Feb. 21, 2025

Plowing through Legislation

While the Missouri Department of Transportation’s trucks were busy removing drifting snow off covered Missouri roadways, legislators plowed through several heavy proposals this week. Legislation can be filed between Dec. 1 – March 1, and to date, 742 bills and more than 30 resolutions have been proposed in the upper chamber.

When a senator files a bill, the goal is to hear two coveted phrases before session adjourns. The first, “The bill has been declared third read and finally passed” is what the presiding chair announces when a bill passes in its chamber of origin. The other, “Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed” is stated when a bill makes it through both chambers and is heading to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. While it’s too soon in the session for the latter announcement, the Missouri Senate has third read and passed multiple measures in the first two months of session. I’ll preview a few of these in this week’s report, but you may read the entire list by clicking the “Legislation” tab at Senate.mo.gov. 

One bill I am really supportive of is Senate Bill 167, an act to dissuade hazing on college campuses and provide immunity to those who report a life threatening situation that resulted from a hazing incident. Named Danny’s Law for the University of Missouri student who suffered life altering damage following a hazing incident, I hope the Missouri House or Representatives moves on this legislation quickly to further protect the health and welfare of college students. 

Another bill the Senate sent to the Missouri House of Representatives this week is Senate Bill 60, which charges a person with the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree when it involves fentanyl and adds this drug and carfentenil to the existing list of scheduled substances.  

Appropriations Hearings Proceed

I am proud to serve once again on the Senate Appropriations Committee and look forward to helping secure dollars for the district this session. During these committee hearings, representatives from all of the state departments present their budgets and request funding for services and programs. Next week, we’re slated to hear from the departments of Social Services, Transportation and Missouri National Guard, and several statewide elected official’s offices.

Progress and Development

Next Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Senate Progress and Development Committee I chair will conduct a hearing at noon. The legislation to be discussed focuses on state designations, like John Donaldson Day, which will designate every Feb. 20 to the memory and accomplishments of this Negro Leagues Baseball star pitcher.

It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve our district or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.