Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for March 26, 2026
Busch Stadium Bound
For Cardinals baseball fans, opening day at Busch Stadium is the high point of the year. From the pep rally and pregame ceremonies to the impressive Budweiser Clydesdales parade leading up to the first pitch, die-hard fans of all ages will fill the stands with a sea of red. Let’s hope the weather and team cooperate in making the day perfect!
Rounding First Base
Two more of my proposals have rounded first base and been passed out of committee. On March 25, the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee unanimously passed my clean slate proposal, Senate Bill 854, combined with a similar act. If the bipartisan SB 854 becomes law, all records and files pertaining to clean slate eligible offenses, or the nonviolent acts that qualify for automatic expungement, will become closed on Aug. 28, 2029. After that date, all eligible records will be automatically expunged within 30 days. The act also prohibits the credit bureau from reporting on expunged cases and limits the time the bureau can report arrests and conviction records to seven years from the final disposition.
Currently more than 500,000 nonviolent cases qualify for expungement, but only 1% of these cases are closed or relieved. For decades, countless individuals entangled in the criminal justice systems have served figurative “life sentences” outside the walls merely because of their past criminal records. I believe SB 854 benefits all involved, saving taxpayers money on the exorbitant costs of recidivism and giving those who have paid their debt to society a second chance at life.
The other, Senate Bill 853, will give taxpayers a little more breathing room when it comes to property assessment valuation increases. This legislation requires a county assessor to notify a taxpayer by June 1 if their valuation increases and lengthens the time frame to file an appeal by 15 days. The combined measure also allows counties to accept personal property tax payments in installments and modifies provisions related to delinquent property tax notices. Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to assessments, and I’m hopeful this measure will help provide both.
A Balanced Budget
The Senate Appropriations Committee will begin the arduous markup process of the state budget in the coming weeks. Having passed in the Missouri House of Representatives this week, the panel will begin deliberating the 18 appropriations bills that will ultimately comprise the state operating budget for fiscal year 2027. A deficit in revenue and the end of ARPA funds will make balancing the budget especially challenging this year. The budget must be on the governor’s desk before the constitutional deadline of May 8.
To the Governor
The Legislature sent another bill to the governor this week. Senate Bill 888 is a comprehensive public safety and juvenile justice reform package that will address the “catch and release” activities that continue to challenge communities. The bill makes changes to the certification of juveniles to stand trial as adults and modifies juvenile court proceedings and detention. The bill also ensures an offender serves a certain percentage of their sentence before they’re eligible for parole and strengthens the penalties on certain criminal offenses.
Visitors from the Lou
Senator Williams joins Shanika Pruitt and Andrea Spates on the floor.
It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve St. Louis County or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.