Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Jan. 27, 2026
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Jan. 27, 2026
Stand Up, Fight Back
Greetings from the State Capitol! I want give a shoutout to all the advocates from our community who came to Jefferson City and filled the halls of “our house” to, as their signs put it, “Stand up, fight back” against government overreach. Countless enthusiasts and dozens of organizations filled the halls to demand fair representation in Washington, DC, and implore legislators to respect the rights of voters and uphold amendments approved by Missourians, like paid sick leave and reproductive health care. Many of you took the day off and boarded buses at the crack of dawn to rally for “we the people.” Rallies like this renew my hope for the future and reignite my passion to make a positive difference in people’s lives, both in our community and across the state. Keep up the good fight!
I also want to thank all the volunteers, donors and my forever sisters from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who helped make this year’s MLK Day of Service a huge success. We collected multiple boxes of nonperishable food items, hygiene products and other necessities for those in need in our community.
Tax Exemption for Infant Care Supplies
One of the bills I hope gains momentum in 2026 is Senate Bill 872. I presented the new concept of exempting infant care supplies from sales tax to the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee on Jan. 20. Last year, the governor signed a bill into law exempting diapers and feminine hygiene products from sales tax. Like these items once were, infant care necessities, such as baby bottles, wipes and breast pump supplies, are still taxed as luxury items. My goal with SB 872 is to take last year’s law one step further and exempt infant feeding and breast care items from sales tax. Affordability continues to be a struggle for young families, and I hope this exemption will help.
New Bills Introduced
Legislators have until March 1 to introduce bills for the 2026 legislative session. The current tally of 748 is on track to break a record for proposals put forth in a session. Nearly 30% of these have been second read and referred to committees. February will certainly bring a flurry of legislative activity in Jefferson City.
Kids Community Growing Prosperity
I sure enjoyed my visit with representatives from Kids Community Growing Prosperity (KCGP) this week, below. The mission of KCGP is “Creating a comprehensive network of support for Kansas City’s youth.”
News for the 9th
Check out these Scholarship Opportunities!
1890 National Scholars Program Accepting Applications
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at the Congressionally created 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences. This includes Lincoln University in Jefferson City. The application deadline is March 8, 2026. Click here for more information.
Women Legislators of Missouri Scholarship
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2026
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Modifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board | Hearing conducted 1/13 - Progress and Development Committee | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for supplies needed to care for infants. | Hearing conducted 1/20 - Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing to victims of domestic violence. | Hearing conducted 1/13 - Progress and Development | |
Requires state-funded schools to give students excused absences for attending elections with their parents. | Referred to Education | |
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years old the opportunity to register to vote. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies provisions relating to community paramedics. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor. | First read | |
Creates the criminal offense of masked intimidation. | First read | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing services to homeless persons. | First read | |
Modifies the composition of the State Tax Commission. | First read | |
Increases the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 in bankruptcy law. | First read | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for breast pump supplies. | First read | |
Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm. | First read | |
Establishes the “Cronkite New Voices Act” to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media. | First read | |
Modifies the number of hours of racial profiling training required during the basic training for licensed peace officers. | First read | |
Enacts provisions relating to criminal proceedings. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. | First read | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to the filing of false documents. | First read | |
Requires public schools and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | First read | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to lactation accommodations in public and charter schools. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to the carrying of firearms or weapons into polling places on election days. | First read | |
Creates a health advocate program in the Department of Health and Senior Services. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to the use of marijuana by family court participants. | First read | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility. | First read | |
Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of certain homes. | First read | |
Creates provisions relating to firearms. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to criminal records. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to terms of probation. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to voter registration. | First read | |
Includes “Class EA – esthetics and manicuring” as a new classification of licensure for cosmetologists. | First read | |
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | First read | |
Prohibits the carrying of concealed firearms in any public library. | First read | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide. | First read | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. | First read | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for diabetic supplies. | First read | |
Authorizes a tax credit for certain firearm safety training courses. | First read | |
Increases the size of the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission from 3 to 5 members. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly. | First read | |
Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties. | First read | |
Modifies the statutes of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | First read |
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!