Fighting for Our Kids

This week, the Missouri Senate focused on one of the most hotly debated issues we will tackle this year. Senate Bill 49 combines three separate bills, each of which would prohibit physicians and health care facilities from providing gender transition procedures to minor children. I sponsored one of the bills that was merged into SB 49, the “Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act.”

Protecting children from gender transition treatments and surgeries was already one of my top priorities this legislative session. The issue took on even greater urgency for me with the publication of allegations from a former employee of a children’s transgender clinic in St. Louis. The whistleblower described children being rushed toward irreversible “treatments” without sufficient understanding of the potential consequences. The issue truly came home, though, when two young women who “de-transitioned” testified before a Senate committee. Their stories of regret were heart-breaking and strengthened my resolve to address the issue. I believe these women’s lives were forever impacted by the gender transition industry, which rushed them into life-altering decisions before they understood the impacts.

Discussions over SB 49 actually began in the Senate chamber the previous week, but carried over into this week’s floor debate. Senators who opposed the bill launched a filibuster to prevent the measure coming to a vote. While opponents held the floor, negotiations were taking place to try to arrive at a consensus on language that could pass the Senate. After two days of stalling on the floor by the opposition, the Senate took a recess so members could gather and discuss the path forward. In a move that came as a surprise to many – certainly, it surprised me – a decision was made to adjourn, and the Senate began its annual one-week spring recess a day early.

I voted against early adjournment during our caucus deliberations and I was disappointed we tabled SB 49 again. I’m hopeful the Senate will eventually agree on language that protects our children from irreversible and life-altering hormonal treatments or surgeries, but if that’s not possible, I’m prepared to invoke a rarely used parliamentary procedure to bring the bill to a vote. I am absolutely committed to protecting our kids and will do what’s necessary to pass a bill to prevent minor children from being subjected to transgender transition treatments.

In other legislative activity this week, the full Senate took up my legislation to reduce Missouri’s corporate income tax. Senate Bill 93 could eventually lower our current 4% corporate tax rate to 2.25%. The cuts would be tied to growth in corporate tax revenue and would be phased in gradually, a half-percent at a time. Lowering the corporate tax rate would make Missouri more attractive to employers looking to relocate their businesses and would spur growth of existing businesses. The Senate discussed the bill for several hours before laying it aside for further debate another day. We have some more work to do on the legislation, but I hope to get this bill to the governor’s desk before the end of session.  

In the Economic Development and Tax Policy Committee, we took testimony on legislation I sponsored to encourage private investment in businesses looking to start or locate in Missouri. Senate Bill 413 establishes the “Missouri Angel Investment Incentive Act,” which would provide tax credits linked to capital investments in qualified businesses. As the name implies, the act aims to attract “angel” investors, which are typically the first to back emerging businesses. The Missouri Technology Corporation, a public-private partnership created by the General Assembly to promote entrepreneurship in our state, would review businesses to determine if they qualify for the tax credits. The program would have a $6 million annual cap and would sunset in 2032. The incentives would be divided among Missouri’s congressional districts to ensure employers throughout the state are able to benefit from the program.

Also this week, the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 300, a measure I sponsored to exempt materials used in energy production from state sales tax. Just as raw materials used in manufacturing are not subject to sales tax, the poles, wire and hardware used in the generation and transmission of electricity would not be taxed. Taxes paid by electricity producers are inevitably passed onto consumers, so reducing this cost should result in savings on your electric bill.

Finally, I’d like to update you on an unfortunate legal development. Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge this week. This law, passed as House Bill 85 in 2021, declares federal laws that infringe of Missourians’ right to keep and bear arms are invalid in our state. The law also prohibits local police agencies from enforcing federal gun laws. It was probably only a matter of time before this bill faced a court challenge, so this week’s ruling was not unexpected. I’m encouraged that immediately after the ruling was announced, Missouri’s attorney general pledged to appeal the decision. I’m hopeful SAPA will be upheld by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals or, if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The General Assembly will not be in session next week, as legislators return to their districts to visit with constituents and recharge before pushing into the second half of session. We return to the Capitol on March 20. I’ll update you on developments as they occur.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-4302. You may also email me at Denny.Hoskins@senate.mo.gov.