Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for April 10, 2026
Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Day is Next Week
The annual Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Day at the State Capitol will take place next week on April 13. If you are in Jefferson City, please join us for this important event. I would greatly appreciate you sharing this graphic on your social media platforms before next Tuesday.
Clean Slate Legislation Moves Forward
One of my top criminal justice priorities for the past several years has been to grant Missourians who have made mistakes in the past, but served their sentences and turned their lives around, a clean slate and second chance at life. While Senate Bill 854 awaits floor discussion in the Senate, I will handle the House version as it progresses through the upper chamber, House Bill 2747.
During the presentation to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on April 8, the sponsor reiterated how HB 2747 will provide automatic expungement of eligible offenses and establish an automatic record-clearing process for closing these records. Like my bill, HB 2747 limits the time the credit bureau may report criminal records to seven years and creates a fund to operate and maintain the program.
Governor Pens Legislation
I was pleased the governor signed House Bill 2273 into law on April 7 to crack down on child sex trafficking and strengthen the penalties on certain sexual offenses. These include the grooming or enticement of a child and nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images.
I was proud to be the handler of House Bill 2934, which modifies provisions governing the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission (RCVC) and the Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The bill expands the powers of the RCVC to include the Sports Complex Authority and devise, promote and fund the support and development of sports and entertainment attractions. The passed bill also authorizes the commission to levy and collect special taxes and assessments, and the methodology to allocate the special assessments.
Art Winner from District 14 Honored
On April 9, I was honored to present a resolution to the winner of the 2026 Senate Art Contest from our community. The compelling of artwork of Kamille Daniel was honored in an awards ceremony in the Rotunda and will represent District 14 in the Senate Art Exhibit.
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