April 14, 2023

Four Weeks of Session Remain

Fresh off the heels of the Easter break, the Missouri Legislature is back to work on behalf of the people of Missouri. While breaks are refreshing and can establish a “reset,” my colleagues and I were ready to get back to work. With exactly four weeks left, the Legislature finds itself at the tail end of the 2023 regular session. Time may be limited, but there is still ample opportunity to promote freedom and prosperity through legislative means.

My bill, Senate Bill 222, was heard by the House Special Committee on Small Business this week, and an executive session is scheduled on April 18 to vote on the bill. If passed by the House committee, SB 222 would be placed on the calendar for debate on the House floor. As mentioned in previous columns, this bill establishes provisions relating to moratoriums on eviction proceedings.

Two bills I had the pleasure of co-sponsoring, Senate Bill 39 and Senate Bill 49, were heard in the House General Laws Committee this past week as well. These bills would protect the integrity of women’s sports and protect minors from gender reassignment surgeries and puberty blockers. These bills are incredibly important for the protection and preservation of athletes and children alike across the state of Missouri. 

On the Senate floor the body perfected, third read and sent over several bills to the House. One of the bills that was perfected in the Senate was one of my bills, Senate Bill 275. This bill would provide a sales tax exemption for the production of electricity, which I think will give a much needed tax break to Missourians for everyday necessities.

I was proud to support and vote in favor of Senate Bill 411. This bill would allow homeschool students throughout the state to participate in public school activities, including sports, in the public school district in which they reside.

As the session comes to a close in the coming weeks, it is vital that the Legislature pushes pragmatic and innovative solutions. For the past few years, Missourians have been crushed by rapid inflation, a burdensome regulatory system and crumbling education standards. It is our job as legislators to meet the needs of every single constituent. The decisions we make now will affect generations of Missourians for years to come, so it is imperative that we carefully consider each piece of legislation brought before us.

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.