Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Feb. 13, 2026
Friday, February 13, 2026
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Feb. 13, 2026
Greetings from the State Capitol. The springlike weather and slightly longer days have certainly been welcomed this week. It won’t be long until the daffodils and forsythia sprout yellow blooms to announce the changing seasons. Bring it on!
The Senate will not be in session next Monday in observance of President’s Day. Please stay safe out there as you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart or friends, partake in Cajun food and Mardi Gras parties on Fat Tuesday, and, hopefully, enjoy an extra long weekend.
Senate Floor Debates Begin
Now that more legislation has been reported out of committees and deemed eligible for floor discussion, Senate debates are in full swing. This week we perfected six and passed four bills. After the language is finalized and reviewed by the Fiscal Oversight Committee, the bills have a final roll call vote to be” third read and passed.”
One bill I was particularly glad to see get approved by the Senate is a veterans benefits services bill that will assist our hardworking military personnel and their families and strengthen Missouri’s cybersecurity.
While it did not make it to a final vote, I think the paint recycling program, Senate Bill 917, that was vetted on Feb. 10 is an excellent idea that will benefit property owners and help protect the environment. I also support the amendment offered to the juvenile justice reforms in Senate Bill 888. This amendment would prohibit minors from possessing pistols, with exceptions for hunting and other appropriate, adult supervised settings.
Homestead Exemption Increase Advances
My proposal to increase the homestead exemption, Senate Bill 1111, was combined and passed by the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee and will proceed as Senate Bill 835. The current bankruptcy law allows an exemption for homesteads valued less than $15,000. This legislation will increase the threshold to $50,000, among other provisions.
Bills Ready for Hearings
My final five proposals were second read and referred to committees this week. These include my tax credit for youth police initiatives, the Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act, and my Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act. Keep an eye on the Senate hearings tab for these to come up in committee.
Deadline to File Legislation Approaches
The number of bills that have been filed in the Senate is up to 830 and counting. The last day legislators can introduce is Feb. 26, and we are certainly on track to break a record for bills filed in the upper chamber.
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. | Passed by Insurance and Banking and combined with SB 853 | |
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. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Modifies provisions relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits. | Referred to General Laws | |
Creates the Laison for Postsecondary Education for Homeless Pupils within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Referred to Education | |
Establishes the Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act | Referred to Education | |
Creates the Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act | Referred to Education | |
Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties. | Referred to Select Committee on Property Taxes | |
Modifies the statutes of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | Hearing cancelled 2/11 Judiciary |
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!