Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Jan. 29, 2026
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Jan. 29, 2026
Focus on Affordability
The issue that comes up in almost every conversation I’ve had with constituents this past year has been affordability, or, rather, the lack there of. I also feel the pain of paying $70 dollars for two bags of groceries, skyrocketing utility bills and ever-increasing property assessments. My colleagues and I in the Minority Caucus have heard your pleas and made affordability one of our top priorities this session.
One way to address affordability for working people is to lower the costs of everyday goods and necessities, like infant supplies and food. I’m pleased to report Senate Bill 872, which exempts baby bottles, wipes, breast pump accessories and other infant care supplies from state sales tax, was passed by the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee on Jan. 28. I am optimistic SB 872 will be brought up for floor debate in February.
Another bill to reduce the cost of living for working families is Senate Bill 1017. Heard by the Economic and Workforce Development Committee on Jan. 28, SB 1017 exempts all food from sales tax. Eliminating this sales tax will help all Missourians afford this most basic human necessity. I will work in tandem with the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lewis, to steer this bill to the governor’s desk.
Legislation Advances
On Jan. 29, I introduced five more pieces of legislation in the chamber. The topics covered with my new proposals include tax credits for youth police initiatives, extra support for homeless and other vulnerable college students, and apprenticeships for urban and local food systems. You can read about these bills at the end of this report or by visiting my web page. Earlier this week, another dozen or so of my bills were second read and referred to committee. I will provide more details as I present these measures in hearings in the coming weeks.
The last time I looked, 781 Senate bills and 53 resolutions were up for consideration. The final day to file legislation for 2026 is Feb. 27.
Welcoming Teamsters to the Peoples’ House
I want to thank all the Teamsters who took the time to come to the Capitol and advocate for workers rights. I appreciate your hard work and commitment to transporting vital products and helping businesses thrive across the region and state.
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. | Passed by 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. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Creates the criminal offense of masked intimidation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing services to homeless persons. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Modifies the composition of the State Tax Commission. | Referred to the Select Committee on Property Taxes and State Tax Commission | |
Increases the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 in bankruptcy law. | Hearing on 1/27 cancelled, Insurance and Banking | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for breast pump supplies. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
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 the number of hours of racial profiling training required during the basic training for licensed peace officers. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Enacts provisions relating to criminal proceedings. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. | Referred to Education | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services. | Referred to Insurance and Banking | |
Modifies provisions relating to the filing of false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Requires public schools and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | Referred to Education | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to lactation accommodations in public and charter schools. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies provisions relating to the carrying of firearms or weapons into polling places on election days. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Creates a health advocate program in the Department of Health and Senior Services. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Modifies provisions relating to the use of marijuana by family court participants. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of certain homes. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Creates provisions relating to firearms. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to terms of probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to voter registration. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions | |
Includes “Class EA – esthetics and manicuring” as a new classification of 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 the carrying of concealed firearms in any public library. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide. | Referred to Education | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. | Referred to Education | |
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 | |
Authorizes a tax credit for contributions made to certain youth police initiatives. | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits. | First read | |
Creates the Laison for Postsecondary Education for Homeless Pupils within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | First read | |
Establishes the Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act | First read | |
Creates the Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act | 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!