Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 23, 2026

The Senate Appropriations Committee continued work on the budget. On Thursday, we held an executive markup session on House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill to cover any gaps in funding for the current fiscal year. Recently, I have stated concerns around the recommended fiscal year 2027 state operating budget from the governor regarding funding for disability services, specifically regarding Day Habilitation Services and Self-Directed Support. Missouri’s most vulnerable and their families who care for them deserve our full support. I will reiterate my previous statement from this week that as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, my intention is to work with my colleagues to restore these cuts as the Senate builds its budget.

The Fiscal Oversight Committee held a hearing on four measures, including my Senate Bill 974, which regulates fees charged for assisting veterans with benefits claims. This bill was perfected earlier in February and, as of Thursday, has been third-read and passed with strong bipartisan support. I look forward to working with House colleagues as it moves forward. On Wednesday, the Senate also perfected my legislation addressing ambulance districts to support our struggling rural services.

The deadline to file bills for the 2026 legislative session was Thursday. Lawmakers have already introduced more than 900 Senate bills, with nearly twice that number filed in the House, setting a record for the most bills filed in a year. Committee work will remain busy through the end of session as we consider these proposals.

As always, I value input from the residents of the 12th Senatorial District. If you have thoughts on any of the issues above or plan to visit the Capitol, please reach out to my office. Hearing from you ensures that I can represent our community’s interests effectively. This week, we welcomed several groups. I had the pleasure of introducing FFA students to the Senate on Thursday, and Carrollton’s seventh graders visited my office as part of their studies on the Capitol and the legislative process.

Senator Black Carrollton’s 7th grade and chaperones in the Bingham
 Gallery of the Senate on Thursday.

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
 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 420, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

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