Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for May 2, 2025
Friday, May 2, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for May 2, 2025
Stand up for your Rights!
By the time you are reading this column, there will be five legislative days remaining to pass a balanced state operating budget and ten days to pass a fraction of the thousands of legislative proposals filed since Dec. 1 of last year. My preference is to spend this precious time passing meaningful, substantive legislation that will help Missourians, but it seems like my colleagues in the Senate Minority Caucus have to repeatedly stand up for your rights. That has definitely been the case as the body debated efforts I believe are intended to undermine voters’ decisions at the ballot box, defund diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and cut funding for public schools.
After successfully defending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in public schools and stalling a vote last week to overturn the minimum wage increase and earned sick pay passed in Proposition A, it appears we will now have to do the defend the will of voters who spoke loud and clear at the ballot box last November, electing to restore reproductive freedom for women. The Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee heard and passed House Joint Resolution 73 on April 30, even though the legislation was opposed by more than a hundred witnesses and supporters in attendance. I presume HJR 73 will continue to be fast-tracked and brought up for debate in the chamber. When that happens, the Senate Minority Caucus will stand in solidarity to protect voters, respect their intelligence and defend their decision-making ability.
In addition to legislative actions to undo voters’ wishes, the minority caucus had to unite to defend public schools and combat the “Public School Open Enrollment Act” proposed in House Bill 711. The act will permit students to potentially attend a school outside the district of their residence. Luckily, the bill was laid over for future debate, but this topic will resurface. While the cost to orchestrate this policy is still unclear, I believe it will wreak havoc on public school districts and place additional, expensive burdens district administrations, who will have to deal with student transfers, calculations, reporting and audits, instead of educating children.
Jackson County Assessor Legislation Passed
On April 29, the Senate passed House Joint Resolution 23, a proposal to be put before voters that would require Jackson County to elect its assessor. During floor discussions, I added an amendment to ensure the candidates seeking that office have the proper training and credentials to be a qualified, fair assessor.
CROWN Act Nears Finish Line
I am pleased to report the progress of my Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or CROWN, Act. Senate Bill 38 was passed by the House Rules Committee on April 24, and its companion bill, House Bill 937, advanced from the Senate General Laws Committee on April 29. Prohibiting hair-based discrimination in public schools and strengthening school districts’ antisemitism policies will empower young people and encourage them to embrace their heritage.
Budget Bills in Conference
In the late hours of April 29, the Senate third read and passed the appropriations bills that make up the $49.4 billion state operating budget for fiscal year 2026. Since changes were made to the version passed by the Missouri House of Representatives, the final numbers will be decided by bipartisan conference committees made up of members from both chambers. The “truly agreed to and finally passed” budget must be delivered to the governor by May 9.
News for the 9th
Missouri Department of Revenue Alerts Citizens of Fraudulent Text Schemes
The Department of Revenue is warning Missourians about scam texts that claim to be from the department and include threatening warnings. You are advised to delete the texts and do not respond or click on any links. Read the full report at dor.mo.gov.
Pawsitive Protection – KC Community Vaccine Day is May 17
Calling all Kansas City pet parents! The second annual Pawsitive Protection – KC Community Vaccine Day is May 17 at Swope Park from 9:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. This is a free event to help keep your pets healthy, safe and well-cared for. No registration is required, but you must bring proof of your Kansas City residency. Call 816-513-6511 for more information.
DNR Photo Contest is Underway
From April 1 – Sept. 1, 2025, the Department of Natural Resources will host its annual photo contest for amateur photographers of all ages. The categories are natural resources, unique places and people enjoying Missouri’s outdoors. Visit dnr.mo.gov/photo-contest to see past winners and find more information.
Updates to Social Security Identity Requirements
The Social Security Administration is taking a proactive steps to enhance the security of services by implementing stronger identify verification procedures. Under the updated policy, individuals who cannot use a personal “My Social Security” account to apply for benefits may complete their claim entirely over the telephone or schedule an appointment at a branch office. You will need to prove your identity at a Social Security office if applying for retirement, survivors or other benefits. Call 800-722-1213 to schedule an appointment.
Please share the community event flyers below!
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. | Passed 4.23, House Rules | |
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 | Hearing conducted 3.25 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. | Added to SB 348, Passed on April 9, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | Added to SB 348, passed on 4.9, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
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 | Added to SB 348, passed on 4.9, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
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. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene product for all purchases made by qualifying organizations. | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Designates the Kansas City Chiefs as the official professional football team of Missouri. | Hearing conducted 4.1, Progress and Development | |
Temporarily extends the hours which liquor may be sold by the drink during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. | Referred to General Laws | |
Establishes the Missouri Entertainment Facility – Capital Assistance Program | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide | Referred to Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources | |
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!