Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

March 21, 2025

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

Mid-Session Update

As we reach the halfway point of session for the General Assembly, I wanted to take a minute to quickly update you on the progress of several of my pieces of legislation. I look forward to returning to session to work for you, the people, next week when the Senate returns from its traditional legislative break.

My Senate Bill 7, which comprehensively reforms the Emergency Management Services in this state, has passed out of the Senate and held its hearing in the House of Representatives. I believe it will soon make it to the House floor for a full debate and vote. I feel very hopeful this legislation will make it to the governor’s desk before the end of session. I have worked on this bill extensively with the EMS community. It reforms the EMS governing structure and training requirements to ensure that all EMS districts in the state meet a baseline for quality care Missourians can count on.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 105, which seeks to make it illegal to sell a number of invasive plants in this state, has also passed the Senate and is now in the House. It is awaiting assignment to a House committee where it can continue its legislative journey in that body. I see no reason why this bill will not make it to the governor’s desk before the end of session. It seeks to protect the natural habit and eco-system of Missouri by banning foreign invasive species that cause undue costs and hardship to our landowners and farmers in Missouri.

Finally, my Senate Bill 104, which would allow the Village of Sunrise Beach to put a sales tax in place for purposes of public safety, is poised for full debate in the Senate. This bill has become a vehicle for a number of other cities who wish to establish a similar sales tax for public safety. This bill does not automatically increase taxes in for these cities but instead gives the local citizens the ability to vote on whether they want their taxes increased to fund public safety. I am a firm supporter of law enforcement, and this bill will help support police across the state. 

Next week, the Missouri Senate returns from legislative break, and I look forward to continued action on my key bills. I also look forward to passing our state budget, which I assure you I will work to make sure is balanced and not increase taxes.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.