Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for March 27, 2026
Tulip Time
Signs of spring can be seen all around the State Capitol. Cherry blossoms align the circle drive, multi-colored tulips surround the grounds, and fragrant hyacinth greet walkers approaching the Bicentennial Bridge. This is also the week I welcomed my beautiful sisters from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. from all corners of Missouri to convene the annual AKA Day and meet with legislators.
Things are really springing into action inside the Capitol as well. On March 25, my proposal to expand the current agriculture education pilot program to all elementary public schools who choose to offer it, was third read and passed by the Senate. Now awaiting consideration by the Missouri House of Representatives, Senate Bill 1383 authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a process for schools to participate in the program, collaborate with Missouri’s agriculture commodity groups to establish the curriculum, evaluate the program’s success and impact, and report their findings on its website. I was fortunate to spend my childhood in Saline County and learn all about food directly from the source, my great aunt’s farm and a butcher shop in Alma. I hope this bill will pass and give more Missouri kids this vital knowledge and exposure.
My proposal to create the offense of masked intimidation has advanced out of committee and may now be brought up for floor debate. Senate Bill 1043, which has been combined with a similar measure, states a person commits this offense when they intentionally harass, intimidate or threaten any other person while concealing their face with a mask or other identity-blocking article. Exceptions for wearing a face covering are in the language of SB 1043, including those worn for weather, occupational, safety or religious purposes.
Balancing the 2027 Budget
The operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027 was debated and passed by the Missouri House of Representatives this week, which means the Senate Appropriations Committee will start to weigh in on the House’s figures and interject their recommendations. Balancing this year’s budget will be more challenging than in previous years as the state faces a revenue deficit and federal ARPA funding has ended.
Visitor Highlights
I was delighted to welcome constituents, advocates, and sorority sisters to the Capitol this week. Below are a few of this week’s highlights.
Go Royals!
Sending my best wishes to the Royals and dedicated fans who will be watching the opening game on Friday night and home opener Monday. Hope you have a great season. Go Royals!
News for the 9th
Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest Begins April 1
Amateur photographers of all ages are invited to participate in the 13th Annual Missouri DNR Photo Contest from April 1 – Sept. 1, 2026. The categories are Natural Resources, Unique Places and People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors. Help capture Missouri’s natural and cultural resources and submit your photos.
Please share these flyers on social media.
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2026
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Modifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board | Passed by Progress and Development Committee | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for supplies needed to care for infants. | Passed by Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing to victims of domestic violence. | Passed by Progress and Development | |
Requires state-funded schools to give students excused absences for attending elections with their parents. | Amended to SB 1351, passed Senate March 5 | |
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years old the opportunity to register to vote. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies provisions relating to community paramedics. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Creates the criminal offense of masked intimidation. | Combined and passed Judiciary 3.25 | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing services to homeless persons. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Modifies the composition of the State Tax Commission. | Referred to the Select Committee on Property Taxes and State Tax Commission | |
Increases the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 in bankruptcy law. | Combined with SB 853 and passed Senate 2.19 | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for breast pump supplies. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Establishes the “Cronkite New Voices Act” to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies the number of hours of racial profiling training required during the basic training for licensed peace officers. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Enacts provisions relating to criminal proceedings. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. | Referred to Education | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services. | Hearing conducted 2.24, Insurance and Banking | |
Modifies provisions relating to the filing of false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Requires public schools and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | Referred to Education | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to lactation accommodations in public and charter schools. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies provisions relating to the carrying of firearms or weapons into polling places on election days. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Creates a health advocate program in the Department of Health and Senior Services. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Modifies provisions relating to the use of marijuana by family court participants. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of certain homes. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Creates provisions relating to firearms. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to terms of probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to voter registration. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions | |
Includes “Class EA – esthetics and manicuring” as a new classification of licensure for cosmetologists. | Referred to Emerging Issues and Professional Registration | |
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Prohibits the carrying of concealed firearms in any public library. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide. | Third read and passed 3.25 | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. | Referred to Education | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for diabetic supplies. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for certain firearm safety training courses. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Increases the size of the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission from 3 to 5 members. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Modifies provisions relating to special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly. | Referred to Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics | |
Authorizes a tax credit for contributions made to certain youth police initiatives. | Hearing conducted 3.11 Economic and Workforce Development | |
Modifies provisions relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits. | Referred to General Laws | |
Creates the Laison for Postsecondary Education for Homeless Pupils within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Referred to Education | |
Establishes the Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act | Referred to Education | |
Creates the Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act | Referred to Education | |
Establishes the Sickle Cell Committee | First read | |
Modifies the calculation of state aid for certain school districts | First read | |
Creates provisions related to insurance coverage of annual kidney functioning screenings | First read | |
Creates the offense of tampering with an elected official | First read | |
Creates provisions relating to solicitations to buy real property | First read | |
Creates a mobile device pilot program implemented by DSS | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to rental protections for victims of domestic violence | First read | |
Preempts local regulation of intoxicating liquor in original packages | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to automated expungement | First read | |
Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties. | Referred to Select Committee on Property Taxes | |
Modifies the statutes of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | Hearing cancelled 2/11 Judiciary |
It is an honor representing the great people of Jackson County’s 9th Senatorial District. If you need assistance navigating state government or understanding the legislative process, please contact me by calling 573-751-3158 or emailing Barbara.Washington@senate.mo.gov. My team is here for you!