March 30, 2023

Senator Curtis Trent’s Legislative Column for the Week of March 27, 2023

Another busy week in the Missouri Senate has concluded. This week was filled with constituent meetings, committee hearings and constant debate and negotiating in and out of the Senate chamber.

Several of my bills that have been heard over the past couple of weeks were passed out of their respective committees this past week. These bills consisted of Senate Bill 274, Senate Bill 275, Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 349.

These bills are now eligible to be sent to the Senate chamber in hopes of being perfected, passed and sent to the Missouri House of Representatives. My hope and belief with these bills is that they will limit government overreach and better expand liberties to those living in the 20th Senatorial District.

I want to specifically discuss one of the bills that passed out of committee: Senate Bill 275. As I mentioned in previous columns, SB 275 relates to an exemption of state and local sales taxes for utilities, equipment and materials used to generate or transmit electricity.

I am particularly excited for this bill as it would provide a much needed tax break to hard-working families and small businesses. The smartest thing any Legislature can do is to put money back in the pockets of everyday Americans and limit the government’s taxation encroachment. I am excited to see this bill pass on the Senate floor, and ultimately, be sent to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

On the Senate floor my colleagues and I debated, perfected and passed a plethora of key legislation. One of those bills that was sent to the House was Senate Bill 222. This act provides that no county, municipality or political subdivision shall impose or otherwise enforce a moratorium on eviction proceedings unless specifically authorized by law

I believe the moratorium on evictions in this country went far beyond its original scope and timeline. The government involving itself in private and free-market matters is detrimental to the economic stability of this country. It is our job as the Legislature to protect societal and economic liberties for every single Missourian, and protect the integrity of a landlord-tenant relationship.

As always, it is an honor to work in the Missouri Senate. Every day I am reminded I am advocating for the hopes and dreams of every constituent in the 20th district. I will continue my effort to transfer the power of the Legislature to the constituent in hopes of advancing individual freedoms and responsibilities. As many have echoed in the past, “that government is best which governs least.”

Please visit Sen. Trent’s official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Trent for more legislative and constituent resources.

Senator Curtis Trent proudly serves the citizens of Barton, Dade, Greene and Webster counties in the Missouri Senate.