Jan. 22, 2026

With a new legislative session comes committee hearings. This may be the most important part of what we do in Jefferson City, because we allow the general public to come and tell us what they think about our potential laws. On Jan. 21, the Missouri Senate General Laws Committee heard Senate Bill 1019 and Senate Bill 1020, both of which I sponsor.

Senate Bill 1019 will allow hospitals to invest up to 50% of their funds that are not required for operations of the hospital or other obligations. The current limit is 25%. In addition, it allows municipal hospitals in third class cities to operate in areas where hospital-district hospitals and county hospitals operate. This will allow improved access to underserved areas.

Senate Bill 1020 authorizes the Missouri Department of Revenue to enter into a contract without rebidding when no qualifying bids are received during the initial request for proposal. This will streamline the process, reduce administrative waste and accelerate the reopening of license offices. Without SB 1020, the state would continue wasting resources on rebidding and rural residents would risk losing their local license offices permanently.

I look forward to the committee voting both of these bills out, so they can go before the entire Senate for debate.

This week’s visitors to the Capitol

Starling Center for Human Services, from Sedalia, with
 Sen. Crawford

Graham Hall, from Tyson Foods, Sen. Crawford and Kevin Gibbs,
 from Tyson Foods-Sedalia

Senator Rusty Black, Sen. Jason Bean and Sen. Crawford
 discussing the budget.

 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.