Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for Feb. 9, 2026

February has slowly turned into my favorite winter month. My family celebrates my son’s birthday, I get to take my beautiful lady out to dinner for Valentine’s Day, and, this year, the Senate will observe President’s Day, allowing us to spend an extra day in our home districts.  February is also Black History Month. My colleagues and I will commemorate the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of African Americans on the floor in the coming weeks.

The first African American I salute was the matriarch of my family and a trailblazer in the Black community, my grandmother. Her adoring family and friends celebrated her life and laid her to rest last Thursday. While she was not famous worldwide, she was the hardest working and most inspiring woman I’ve ever known. I miss her light and laughter, but I am at peace knowing she lived her best life and never let a day pass without telling me how much she loved me and how proud she was. Love you always, Grandmother.

Another Black heroine I would like to draw attention to is Celia Newsom, a former slave who was purchased at age 14 to be her owner’s concubine. After years of sexual abuse and dehumanizing treatment, Celia took his life in an act that would now be exonerated as self-defense and her right to bodily autonomy. In 2025, the Legislature passed a measure designating the second Tuesday in April as Celia Day in Missouri.

This session, I will focus on Senate Bill 855, which will require the State Board of Education to convene a “Humanity Education Curriculum Framework Work Group.”  Teachers may use the curriculum framework to educate students in grades 6-12 about the dehumanization of marginalized groups in Missouri. Dehumanization is the violation of a person’s rights or bodily autonomy, and marginalized groups include persons who have been subjected to dehumanization due to their national origin, race or sex. Under SB 855, the curriculum shall include the study of these practices in Missouri history, intervention and prevention strategies for the future, and the compelling story of Celia.

I filed two more bills this week. Senate Bill 1624 modifies the authority of the St. Louis City Register of Deeds, and Senate Bill 1625 prohibits the transferring balances in certain state funds to Missouri’s general revenue fund. I’ll give more information when they are heard in committee.   

State Departments Weigh In

At the State Capitol in February, the legislative process can be seen and heard in the halls, hearing rooms and chamber as hundreds of proposals are read and heard, and dozens more make it to floor for debate. 

During the second month of session, the Senate Appropriations Committee I serve on gathers information and budget requests from each of Missouri’s state departments. This week we heard from the Departments of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Natural Resources, Economic Development, and Mental Health. This committee meets several times a week to gather data and try to accommodate departmental needs.

Committee Update

The Senate Progress and Development Committee I chair passed a couple of transformational measures and heard two more on Feb. 3. One of these, Senate Bill 1328, establishes January as Blood Donor Awareness Month, in line with the national observance. The advocates who testified described the ongoing crisis Red Cross has with a severe shortage of blood as the demand continues to outpace the supply. Designating a month to promote and collect donations could help this vital organization meet the needs of patients across the country. Please check the Red Cross website and give blood if you are able. Once a season is recommended.

Special Guests

On Feb. 3, I enjoyed introducing some special guests to my colleagues in the chamber. Thanks for visiting the Capitol and giving me updates.

University City Public Library's board of trustees: Kerry Bruce, Cindy Zirwes, Helen Nelling and Patrick Wall.

Senator Williams meets with advocates from the region.

It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve St. Louis County or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.