Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 13, 2026
Fireworks Friday
Fans who attend Royals games at Kauffman Stadium on Friday nights will enjoy a “Fireworks Friday” display after the games from April through September. This will be a fun way to honor the team, entertain the family and hopefully, celebrate a W by the Boys in Blue.
Thankfully, there were no legislative fireworks at the State Capitol this week, but a multitude of passionate discussions ensued in legislators’ offices on the topic of firearm safety and gun violence prevention. I always enjoy speaking with the red T-shirt clad Moms Demand Action members during their annual action event and share their hope and dedication to policies that curb gun violence and keep our communities safe. These include policies like my proposals to ensure safe storage firearms; limit assault weapons and large capacity magazines; and support youth firearm safety training courses. Unfortunately, these bills haven’t been scheduled for hearings, the next step forward in the legislative process.
Missourians mourned the loss of four more citizens this weekend, once again putting this issue of preventable gun violence in the spotlight. Like the grassroots activists who demanded action this week, I am optimistic my colleagues in the Legislature will hear the pleas from their constituents and soon heed what these moms demand.
Agriculture Education Gets an A+
The legislation to expand agricultural education to all public schools in Missouri got an A+ this week in the General Assembly. My version of the proposal, Senate Bill 1383, was passed by the House Special Committee on Rural Issues on April 8, moving it one step closer to floor discussion in the Missouri House of Representatives. I will also be the handler of the House version, House Bill 2097, as it progresses through the upper chamber. Passed by the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee on April 2, I look forward to guiding HB 2097 to the governor’s desk. I don’t think today’s children have enough exposure to the foods they eat and how they are grown. Teaching agriculture in elementary schools that choose to offer it will help close this gap.
Proposals into Policy
The governor signed several proposals into policy in his office this week. These include House Bill 1908, which allows courts to dissolve a marriage if the woman is pregnant. I supported this legislation and think it will protect women and men from being trapped in unhealthy relationships. I was also thankful to see House Bill 2273 signed, which will crack down on child trafficking, and the grooming or enticement of a minor, while strengthening the penalties for the dissemination of private sexual images.
News for the 9th
Senate Art Contest Winner from the District
Congratulations to Robin Mackenzie, the winner of the 2026 Senate Art Contest whose captivating piece will represent our community in the Senate Art Exhibit at the Capitol. I enjoyed presenting a resolution to Robin on April 9 during the annual awards ceremony in the Rotunda to honor this accomplishment and salute her artistic talents.
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. Presented to House committee 4.1, passed on 4.8 | |
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!