Senator Rusty Black's Legislative Update for the Week of Feb. 2, 2026
Friday, February 6, 2026
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Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 2, 2026 | ||||
The Missouri Senate continues its work this week, advancing key steps and confirmations. In my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, we reviewed budgets for departments across a wide range of services, such as funding priorities for agencies like the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Mental Health, which play critical roles in safeguarding Missouri’s environment and providing essential services to our most vulnerable citizens.
The Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee, on which I serve, advanced my legislation to modernize candidate committee provisions. Another highlight of the week was presenting Senate Bill 974 to the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. This bill would prohibit unaccredited consultants from charging veterans for help filing for benefits, a practice commonly referred to as “claim sharks.” By modifying state law on compensation for services rendered in veteran benefits matters, SB 974 aims to ensure veterans receive the benefits they earned without predatory fees. The committee voted in support of the bill, and I look forward to its continued progress. Similar efforts have been discussed in Missouri and across the country to ban so‑called “claim sharks” and protect veterans’ benefits.
During a Gubernatorial Appointments hearing this week, I introduced the 12th Senatorial District’s own Andrea Fischer of St. Joseph for her confirmation to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board. Her confirmation will help ensure our state’s veterinary oversight remains strong and responsive to industry needs.
We also welcomed many visitors to the Capitol. FFA Day brought young agricultural leaders to Jefferson City, and Great Northwest Day saw hundreds of citizens from 19 northwest Missouri counties gather to present regional priorities and highlight our area’s contributions. Missouri Electric Cooperative Legislative Day connected lawmakers with cooperative members to discuss energy issues affecting rural communities. These events underscore the importance of citizen engagement and remind us that collaboration across communities is vital to Missouri’s success.
As always, it is an honor to serve the people of the 12th Senatorial District. I remain committed to advocating for northwest Missouri and keeping you informed as the legislative session continues.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is 573-751-1415, my email is rusty.black@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is ### |
