Senator Ben Brown’s Capitol Report for Jan. 16, 2026

2026 Session Convenes in Jefferson City

Session began on Jan. 7. Nearly 700 proposals have been submitted in the Missouri Senate for consideration during the 2026 legislative session. Needless to say, it will be a busy and productive legislative session as lawmakers tackle issues and work to improve the lives of all Missourians.

With the goals to rein in government, enhance election integrity, and reduce taxes in mind, I have pre-filed 27 bills to date. I carried a few of these in past sessions and hope to build on the momentum they gained. 

I will proudly chair the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee again this session. As of Jan. 13, nearly a dozen bills had been referred to this panel. The other committees I will serve on include Emerging Issues and Professional Registration; Government Efficiency; and Judiciary and Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence. Several committees conducted hearings this week, and the remainder will begin when we return from the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 19. I enjoy serving on this variety of committees and look forward to vetting legislation on important legal, emerging and pro-business proposals in the coming months.

Enhancing Missouri’s Election Integrity

Securing and enhancing Missouri's election integrity is fundamental to preserving the trust that our democracy depends on—ensuring that every vote cast truly reflects the will of eligible American citizens, and that the voice of Missouri families is never diluted or undermined by any form of irregularity or unauthorized participation.

With the overwhelming approval of Amendment 7 in November 2024—passing with more than 68% of the vote—Missourians decisively enshrined in our state constitution the principle that only U.S. citizens are entitled to vote in our elections. This strong mandate, which I proudly sponsored in the Senate, sent a clear message: fair, honest and secure elections are non-negotiable for safeguarding our republic and upholding the one-person, one-vote principle that has defined our state and nation for generations.

The SAVE Act, Senate Bill 986, which I have proudly filed again this year, builds directly on this voter-approved constitutional foundation and the broader national momentum for secure elections. 

This legislation is a straightforward, common-sense measure designed to strengthen public trust in our electoral system by ensuring that only U.S. citizens can register to vote in our elections. It requires applicants to provide clear documentary proof of citizenship—helping to confirm elections are conducted fairly, securely and with the integrity that Americans expect and deserve. This reform aims to restore and reinforce confidence that our elections reflect the will of eligible citizens alone. By implementing this simple verification, we strengthen public confidence that our electoral system remains secure, honest and reflective of the will of eligible American citizens alone—delivering the integrity and fairness that Missouri families expect and deserve.

Last year, the governor signed my bill to ban foreign influence in Missouri’s ballot initiatives into law. To build on this enhanced security feature, I filed Senate Bill 896 to restrict government agencies from soliciting, accepting or using any funds or in-kind donations for election administration. 

Election interference can come in many forms. In recent years, we have groups seeking to undermine our state's electoral process, under the guise of reforming our elections to “bring together election officials “around a set of common values and standards. 

In 2022, Missouri banned “Zuckerbucks,” preventing election authorities from accepting private cash or grants to run elections. The passage of this law was an important step. However, I have seen reports about those who had been utilizing this process quickly learned of a loophole. In an attempt to usurp the ban, they began shifting to a membership-based model, requiring fees from participating members. 

Senate Bill 896, which I refer to as the “Zuckerbucks 2.0 Ban”, closes that loophole by restricting government agencies from soliciting, accepting or using in-kind contributions for election administration. In addition to the direct donation ban created by the 2025 law, this legislation also closes the membership-based loophole by barring government entities or election officers from joining any membership, participating in any program, or purchasing any services from these organizations that are actively seeking to use this as a means of exerting influence over our local electoral process.

Reducing Taxes and Protecting Property Rights

On Jan. 13, the governor delivered the annual State of the State address to a joint assembly in the Missouri House of Representatives chamber. He outlined his budget priorities for 2026 and explained his plan to phase out Missouri’s income tax, once and for all.  

Nine other states have already provided real tax relief to citizens by eliminating this burden on taxpayers. I believe it is time for Missouri to eliminate the income tax through gradual and responsible phases. 

As I traveled throughout our district during the interim, I consistently heard concerns about taxes—especially property taxes, personal property taxes and the income tax. Between persistent inflation and rising assessments, families and small businesses across Missouri are feeling the strain.

I share these concerns and remain committed to gradually and responsibly lowering, and ultimately eliminating, Missouri’s income tax so that Missourians can keep more of what they earn. This year, lawmakers are evaluating and beginning the process of income tax elimination. I will be working closely with my colleagues and the governor to identify a responsible pathway forward during this session.

Senate Bill 1066 protects property owners who own short-term rental properties from local elected officials who have been purposely misclassifying them as commercial rather than residential as a way to bring in more revenue at the expense of the taxpayer. This has already occurred in a handful of counties, and I am committed to ending this money grab before it spreads any further. 

Senate Joint Resolution 90 and Senate Bill 1131 are aimed at reforming the State Tax Commission. In 2025, many saw their real property assessments skyrocket. This was, in part, due to the commission forcing local assessors to sign memorandums of understanding under threat of withholding funds that would normally go to that county. These pieces of legislation would end that practice and limit the State Tax Commission to a strictly advisory role regarding raising taxes. This would also remove the requirement that assessments fall within 90-110% of a home’s value and roll back the assessment range to between 70% and 100% of the property's value. In addition, it would prevent the State Tax Commission from implementing any set of international standards for assessors to ensure Missourians are deciding what policies are best for our state, rather than some outside organization.

Last year, at the request of a constituent who experienced the issue firsthand, I filed legislation addressing erroneous property tax assessments. I have refiled that effort as Senate Bill 987, which would allow taxpayers to recover costs and attorney fees when successfully appealing an incorrect property classification. On Jan. 14, I chaired the Economic and Workforce Development Committee’s first hearing and had the chance to present SB 987, and I look forward to passing this much-needed reform this year.  

Taken together, these efforts reflect a continued commitment to tax relief, property rights and responsible governance—principles Missourians have long valued and deserve.

Reducing Red Tape and Governmental Overreach

Labor shortages and job vacancies remain a challenge across Missouri. My proposal to recognize real-world licensure for qualified professionals relocating from other states will help remove unnecessary government barriers to employment. Senate Bill 895 allows individuals with at least three years of work experience in an occupation or profession in another state to apply for a one-time, nonrenewable, two-year temporary license. This temporary license enables them to continue working while they complete any remaining requirements for permanent licensure in Missouri. Importantly, this legislation creates a pathway for individuals moving from states without licensure requirements to continue working in their field, rather than being forced out of the workforce while navigating burdensome bureaucratic processes. After coming as close to the finish line as possible last session, I am confident SB 895 will reach the governor’s desk this year. 

Reforming our state’s policy on prior authorizations for vital health care services is another way to rein in government, as well as insurance companies that I believe seem to care more about their bottom line than ensuring the patients they cover receive medical procedures, medications and other health care services they need in a timely fashion. Senate Bill 897 would reform a very cumbersome, outdated policy that delays these procedures, interferes with patient care and substantially raises costs for consumers. 

My other proposals this session that push to limit government include Senate Bill 1193, which would ban state departments from funding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as Senate Bill 1245, which would provide more opportunities for veterans in terms of access to state contracts.

Senate Bill 1246, the Stand Your Ground Act, would ensure due process for gun owners who must defend themselves or their families with a firearm. My proposal will allow a defendant to raise a claim of self-defense during a pre-trial hearing to possibly avoid an unmerited charge or court appearance. It also ensures proper due process. Rather than having to prove your innocence through a self-defense claim, it places the burden of proof back where it is constitutionally required to be, with the state.  This would serve as just one more step towards defending our Second Amendment right and protecting law-abiding gun owners from unmerited cases and harassment.

Senate Bill 1286 ensures local permitting requests are processed in a reasonable time frame by putting a state-level clock on the permitting process of 30 days. Slow action by local governments can often stand in the way of business growth, delaying new construction by months while businesses are left jumping through numerous hoops and navigating a complex weave of red tape.

For a full list of legislation, I have filed for the 2026 session or to monitor their progress visit: senate.mo.gov/Senators/member/26

Stay in Touch

Please bookmark my website, senate.mo.gov/Brown to learn about and monitor the progress of my legislation during the 2026 session. Your input and interest in the policymaking process is appreciated. 

It's great to be back in Jefferson City, and I am anticipating a busy, but productive, legislative session for the Show-Me State. Thanks for your interest in the policymaking process!

It’s an honor representing District 26 in the Missouri Senate. If you need assistance with navigating state government or the legislative process, please reach out by calling 573-751-3678 or emailing Ben.Brown@senate.mo.gov.