March 27, 2025

This week, we began the second half of the 2025 regular legislative session. We had an active week, which included a hearing on one of my bills. The Missouri Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 566 this week. Current law requires any veteran who receives a small business loan through the state treasurer's Linked-Deposit program to complete a boots-to-business program approved by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. This act makes participation optional, thus helping our veterans by cutting red tape and leveling the playing field.

Also, I was able to add an amendment to Senate Bill 61, which would make changes to provisions relating to professional licensing. My amendment relates to the Missouri Board of healing Arts. Statutes that govern physician licensure contain several provisions that require outdated information be provided to obtain licensure. To request unnecessary information can delay an applicant’s process to more than three months. My language streamlines the process, which would help patients in underserved and rural areas access health care.

In addition, the Missouri Senate has sent Senate Bill 79 to the Missouri House of Representatives for consideration. The most notable provision in SB 79 is allowing the Missouri Farm Bureau to provide their members health benefits. Farmers, who are often self-employed, have difficulty accessing affordable and quality health coverage. This legislation would provide another option for coverage and should reduce the number of Missourians who are uninsured or underinsured.

I am honored to serve as your senator in the Missouri Senate. If, at any time, you have questions, concerns or ideas regarding state government, please feel free to contact me at 573-751-8793 or Sandy.Crawford@senate.mo.gov.

This week’s visitors to the Capitol

Nevada High School 9th and 10th Grade Action Civics Class
 with Sen. Crawford

Breckenridge Scholar Erika Rehmer, from Sedalia, and
 Sen. Crawford

Senator Crawford; Miss Missouri Ashley Berry, from
 Clinton; and Rep. Jim Kalberloh

Missouri State Teachers Association

Michelle Davis with Otterville R-VI; Kim Welch, from
 Pettis County; Sen. Crawford; and Cherity Johnson, from
 Clinton

Dustin Kessler, from Polk County; Sen. Crawford; and
 Fair Play City Mayor Dewey Rumfelt, also from Polk County

Representative Dane Diehl; Carroll Branham with MML,
 from Nevada; and Sen Crawford

Senator Crawford and Travis Elliott

4-H Day at the Capitol

Senator Crawford presented Ellie Samek, Polk County, a
 resolution for receiving the 4-H Key Award

Senator Crawford presented Curtis Dickerson, from Polk
 County, a resolution for receiving the 4-H Key Award

Polk County 4-H

Benton County 4-H

Cedar County 4-H

Vernon County 4-H

Pettis County 4-H

Melissa Strong, Vernon County; Reagan O’Farrell, Bates
 County; Sen. Crawford; Carissa Stong, Vernon County; and
 Rep. Dane Diehl

Henry County 4-H

Leadership Buffalo

Front: Sam Byler, Carson Shepperly, Emma Durington,
 Sen. Crawford, Kelby Warren, Dawn Decker, Emma Rayne
 and Tracy Strickland
 Back: John Crawford and Chris McElyea

Roscoe Superintendent Lexi Scott, St. Clair County, and
 Sen. Crawford

Missouri State Fair Commission

Randy Little, Greene County; Sen. Crawford; and
 Jerald Andrews, Polk County

Senator Crawford and Travis Elliott, Dallas County

Senator Crawford and Emmett Jeffries, Livingston County.
 Emmett was here advocating for a goat barn on
 the State Fair Grounds.

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