Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for March 14, 2025
Friday, March 14, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for March 14, 2025
Halftime Report
Following floor activity on March 13, the General Assembly adjourned for the annual week-long spring break. I look forward to being back in our community, spending time with my grandsons and, hopefully, getting some needed yard work done if the weather cooperates.
During the first half of session, I have been impressed with the pace and output of the Missouri Senate. We have passed and sent multiple bills to the Missouri House of Representatives and made major headway on a few the House has sent to the upper chamber.
The first bill to reach the governor’s desk this session is an omnibus, 60-page public safety measure, House Bill 495. The minority party stood in solidarity for several hours against the provision that overturns the will of voters and puts the control of the St. Louis Police Department back in the hands of a governor-appointed police commission. Our community knows all too well about the efficacy of a state run police department, and it wouldn’t surprise me if voters have to take the matter back in their hands before it’s all said and done. I am thankful, however, the bill includes more thorough assessments for the detention of minors and improves interdepartmental communications between law enforcement agencies.
Several of my bills also progressed before our hiatus. On Tuesday, I presented Senate Bill 304 to the Senate Progress and Development Committee I vice chair. The act establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri to educate residents and physicians alike about this rare and fatal disease caused by the buildup of an abnormal protein, amyloid, in the heart, kidneys, liver or other vital organs. A former MU Tiger and Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, Art Still, testified during the hearing and shared his story about how difficult the disease is to diagnose and treat. African American men are disproportionately impacted by amyloidosis, are often misdiagnosed or have their symptoms downplayed by medical providers. Greater awareness of this disease could help address some of these inequities, promote early detection and ultimately, save lives.
Senator Washington introduces Mike Lane and Art Still following the hearing on SB 304.
I’m pleased to report four of my proposals have earned the “do pass” mark in committees. My legislation to designate the Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County, and Senate Bill 422 was combined with its companion bill and passed during the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on March 10. My John Donaldson Day in Missouri legislation and domestic violence housing tax credit advanced from the Senate Progress and Development Committee. On March 12, the Economic and Workforce Development approved Senate Bill 128 to align roles and duties with the appropriate state departments following the recent changes in statute.
MU Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
Each spring, legislators honor promising college students for their groundbreaking and cutting-edge research within the University of Missouri System. On March 13, I presented a resolution to Ruth Ann Williamson of Raytown in recognition of her project “A Breath of Fresh Air.”
Senator Washington presents a resolution to Ruth Anne Williamson to honor her accomplishments at MIZZOU.
News for the 9th
REAL ID Deadline Approaching
Starting May 7, 2025, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license, non-driver ID card or another form of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board domestic flights. You can apply for a REAL ID at Missouri license office locations. Visit dor.mo.gov for a list of acceptable documents.
Bald Eagle Live Stream Now Available
Thanks to a partnership between Kansas City area businesses and the Missouri Department of Conservation, a video camera has been placed in a local Bald Eagle nest for viewers to watch these amazing raptures in real-time and learn about their unique nesting habits.
MU Life Sciences Quest Accepting Applications
Attention High School-Aged Students! The University of Missouri-Columbia is now accepting applications for its Life Sciences Quest program, a free, week-long summer academy for students interested in agriculture and its impact in our daily lives. Visit MU Life Sciences Quest for more information or to apply before the April 1 deadline.
Black Family Wellness Expo is Saturday
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2025
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Economic and Workforce Development | |
The Missouri CROWN Act prohibits hair-based discrimination in publicly-funded educational institutions. | Second read in House | |
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. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Passed 3.12 Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for qualified providers of employment, employment services or housing for homeless persons. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing assistance to victims of domestic violence. | Passed 2.25 Progress and Development Committee | |
Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical services | Referred to Emerging Issues | |
Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Establishes the Cronkite New Voices Act to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media. | Referred to Education. | |
Modifies provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pension. | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services to include midwifery. | Referred to Insurance and Banking. | |
Designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day to honor Missouri native and Negro Leagues Baseball star pitcher. | Hearing conducted 2.25 Progress and Development | |
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | Hearing conducted 3.11 Progress and Development | |
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Requires public and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | Referred to Education | |
Creates provisions relating to lactating public and charter school students. | Referred to Education | |
Requires schools that receive state funds to give excused absences for attending scheduled elections with their parents. | Hearing conducted 3.4 Education | |
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years the opportunity to register to vote. | Hearing conducted 3.4 Education | |
Creates a health advocate program at the Department of Health and Senior Services for eligible pregnant patients. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Modifies provisions relating to restitution for individuals who are actually innocent and exonerated based on evidence other than DNA. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to use of marijuana by family court participants. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Authorizes a tax credit for first time home buyers to purchase eligible blighted property. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
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. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Designates Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to closed criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates that eligible offenses be automatically expunged without petition. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Designates every Nov. 9 as Links, Incorporated Day in Missouri | Referred to Progress and Development | |
Creates a DWI diversion program. | Hearing conducted 2.26 Judiciary | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility after serving 30 years or more of a sentence. | Referred to Judiciary | |
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. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
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. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions | |
Includes CLASS EA – esthetics and manicuring as a new classification for licensure for cosmetologists. | Referred to Emerging Issues and Professional Registration | |
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Prohibits carrying concealed firearms in public libraries. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies continuing education requirements for peace officers. | First read. | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene product for all purchases made by qualifying organizations. | First read. | |
Designates the Kansas City Chiefs as the official professional football team of Missouri. | First read. | |
Temporarily extends the hours which liquor may be sold by the drink during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. | First read. | |
Establishes the Missouri Entertainment Facility – Capital Assistance Program | First read. | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide | First read. | |
Places limits on increases in the assessment of certain properties, pending voter approval. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Eliminates the statute of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | Referred to Judiciary |
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!