Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Feb. 6, 2026
Friday, February 6, 2026
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Jan. 6, 2026
Thawing After the Freeze
Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, but thankfully, Missouri temperatures will finally break freezing and stay mild for the next couple of weeks. Like you, I am ready for the remaining snow to melt and to set our clocks back for daylight saving time a month from now.
I want to thank the countless Kansas Citians who showed up over the weekend protest the masked federal agents patrolling the streets of America. These demonstrations and public outcries appear to be resonating with the current administration, which has recently called for de-escalation and the removal of mass agents from Minneapolis and other cities. Diversity is what makes District 9 thrive, and I am proud to represent and live in a community that supports each other and stands up to government overreach. Keep pressing on, JACO!
Addressing High Maternal Mortality Rates
As I’ve reported in the past, Missouri’s maternal mortality rates remain disproportionally high. What is really upsetting is nearly 80% of these deaths could have been prevented if vulnerable new mothers had better access to the health, mental health and other resources they need. Senate Bill 871, which passed out of committee on Feb. 3, provides a plan to diversify Missouri’s Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board, study demographics and other determinants of health, locate prenatal care deserts, and identify ways to approach, reduce and eliminate inequities across the state.
My other proposal that passed out of committee this week is Senate Bill 873. This measure authorizes a tax credit for providing housing to victims of domestic violence, whether that is renting to a family or rehabilitating an abandoned building into a shelter. These two bills may now be brought up for debate on the Senate floor, and I am hopeful my colleagues will forward them to the Missouri House of Representatives in the coming weeks.
Updating the Homestead Exemption
On Feb. 3, I presented Senate Bill 1111 to the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee. The goal of this legislation is to increase the state’s bankruptcy laws to better reflect the economy. Current bankruptcy law provides for a homestead exemption if the value of the homestead does not exceed $15,000. That threshold would increase to $50,000 under SB 1111, a more realistic level and allowing more people to keep their homes when they are on the verge of losing everything they’ve worked for.
Sponsoring a Kansas City Legend
On Feb. 4, I had the honor of sponsoring my friend, mentor and predecessor from the 9th District, Shalonn “Kiki,” Curls, during her confirmation hearing to be appointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority. It’s always great visiting with Ms. Curls, and her advocacy and knowledge of Jackson County will be an amazing asset to this board as it navigates unchartered waters.
Capitol Visitors
George Pettigrew and Dawn Smith-Popielski from the Missouri Humanities Council Board update Sen. Washington. |
Senator Washington and Pam Kramer, director of KC2026, discuss this year’s FIFA World Cup. |
Advocates from the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition meet with Sen. Washington.
News for the 9th
America’s 250th Anniversary Student Essay Contest is Underway
The lieutenant governor recently launched a student essay contest to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and inspire patriotism in Missouri’s youth. The “Lieutenant Governor’s Award for American Patriotism” invites students in K-12 to answer one of two questions to describe their pride or love for America. Visit ltgov.mo.gov for more information.
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 | Passed by 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. | Passed by 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 2/4, 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. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for certain firearm safety training courses. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Increases the size of the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission from 3 to 5 members. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Modifies provisions relating to special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly. | Referred to Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics | |
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!