Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for March 13, 2025

Midterm Report

Following floor activity on March 13, the Legislature adjourned for the annual spring break. I look forward to this week-long respite and spending time with my family and in our community. In this week’s column, I’ll provide a brief midterm report on some of the bills that are now awaiting the governor’s signature and a few the Senate has passed in the first half of session.

I am extremely disappointed the General Assembly passed House Bill 495 on March 12 and fear the consequences of this public safety legislation will far outweigh the few benefits it purports. The minority party stood united against the provision that overturns the will of voters, takes the control of the St. Louis Police Department from local leaders and places it under a board of police commissioners. Without local authority, support or community engagement, I seriously doubt this move will have an impact on reducing violent crime, which is why voters spoke out in 2012 and may well have to intervene again in the coming years. On a positive note, I am thankful HB 495 will enhance school safety and communications between law enforcement agencies, while cracking down on stunt driving and carjacking.

Conversely, I was happy to see House Bill 737 pass on March 13. This measure will enable foster children to keep the survivor funds they are entitled to, like Social Security, veterans or railroad retirement benefits. Currently, the Children’s Division can recoup these funds to reimburse services rendered to the child while under its care. Children in foster care have endured trauma and abuse and are often left without any means to transition into independence and adulthood. This money is vital to give these children a leg up at life, and I’m glad it crossed the legislative finish line.

The bills the Senate passed before break include Senate Bill 71. This legislation creates the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to provide tuition assistance for public safety personnel and their dependents to cover the costs of law enforcement academies and training programs for emergency responders.

Another bill I proudly voted “yes” on will preserve and protect Missouri’s water resources. Senate Bill 82 shall make it unlawful for any person to export water outside the state without a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, I am thankful the Senate sent Senate Bill 94 to the Missouri House of Representatives, a proposal to expand telehealth services across the state.

Preparing Youth for Future Success

The Senate advanced several bills which could greatly help Missouri’s youth. Senate Bill 66 will require everyone who applies for a marriage license to be 18 or older. Currently, 16 and 17 year-old teens can enter into marriage as long as they have a parent’s consent. Children do not have the capacity to make decisions that will impact the rest of their lives, and too many girls suffer years of abuse, poverty and poor health outcomes as a result of being married too young. The bill was passed by the Senate on March 6 and is now up for consideration by the Missouri House of Representatives.

The upper chamber also approved the Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. The measure will prohibit hair-based discrimination in educational institutions. It is unfortunate legislation like this is still needed in 2025, but every step we can take toward ending discrimination and building more equitable communities is one in the right direction and will help our kids thrive.

Throughout the month of March, the halls of the State Capitol have been filled with the laughter and chaos of students from all across Missouri who traveled to Jefferson City to educate lawmakers on some of the issues they face. These groups included Jobs for America’s Graduates, or JAG-Missouri, advocates from different school districts and the distinguished members of my Youth Advisory Board, pictured below. I formed this youth cohort shortly after I was elected to function as the voice of District 14’s youth and provide them with opportunities to succeed, see themselves in government and improve the world around them. Contact my team if you are interested in applying for the board during my final legislative session in 2026.

Thursday, Feb. 27, was the last day to file bills for the 2025 legislative session. That brings the grand total of Senate bills to 833, plus an additional 74 resolutions and countless House bills to consider over the course of the next ten weeks. I added one more to my list, Senate Bill 815, which will remove the cap on funds being transferred to the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund and on the allotted expenditures for investigations.

Welcoming VIPs to River City

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting with folks from our community and introducing some special guests on the floor. On March 5, I introduced nursing students from the University of Missouri-St. Louis to my colleagues. After this introduction, I called attention to a dentist from our community, Dr. Margaret Alban-Wilson, an active member of the Missouri Dental Association who was in Jefferson City to attend their advocacy rally.  

On March 11, I welcomed former state representative, Barbara Fraser, and members of her family, as well as John Bowman and Bryan Sanger of St. Louis, pictured below. 

 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.