Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 24, 2026
From Markup to Speak Up
At the end of March, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a $52.7 billion version of the budget for fiscal year 2027. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee I serve on completed the “markup” of the House’s proposal. During this process, the Appropriations Committee chair, under the guidance of the entire committee, will share his opinions on budgetary line items by either agreeing with the figures put forth by the House, reverting to the governor’s recommendation or going with a new Senate figure. The package of appropriations bills passed from committee on April 20, and all senators had the opportunity to speak up on next year’s budget during intensive floor debates this week. The annual operating budget is the only constitutional requirement of the General Assembly. It must be balanced and sent to the governor by May 8.
Masked Intimidation Bill Advances
On April 21, House Bill 2848, the House version of my proposal to establish the offense of masked intimidation, advanced from the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. With exceptions for wearing face coverings for religious, weather, safety and job-related purposes, HB 2848 also treats the offense of masked intimidation as a hate crime and class E felony when the state believes the act to be knowingly motivated by a victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability.
Promoting Election Participation
For me, one of the easiest ways to promote participation in elections is to permit kids to follow their parents’ lead and example. My legislation to grant students an excused absence for attending elections with their parents or guardians was amended onto Senate Bill 1351 – passed by the Senate on March 5 - and passed by the House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs on April 13, inching it one step closer to the governor’s desk.
Key Proposals Move Forward
I’m pleased to report several of my proposals have moved forward in the legislative process. Passed by the Economic and Workforce Development Committee on April 8, Senate Bill 1608 authorizes a tax credit for all contributions made to nonprofit organizations that operate youth police initiatives. Fostering positive relationships between these two groups could have a lasting, generational impact in our community and help move the needle on preventable acts of violence.
The legislation to expand agricultural education to all public schools in Missouri was referred to the House Legislative Review Committee. Senate Bill 1383 makes agriculture education programs available to all public schools who wish to offer it. I’ll be handling the companion bill from the House in the upper chamber, House Bill 2097, which passed out of committee earlier this month.
Search Function on Senate Website
The Senate website has been recently updated to make it more accessible for all. One of its features enables you to search legislation by topic. If you are interested, click the Legislation tab and select “Topical Index.” This will enable you to scroll the topics A-Z and includes a subsection for our beloved Kansas City!
News for the 9th
Leaders Discuss FIFA World Cup Security
On April 13, federal, state and local Kansas City law enforcement partners gathered in the governor’s office to discuss collaborative efforts to provide a safe and fun experience for all fans attending the World Cup matches in June and July. I’m honored to have helped secure millions of dollars in the budget over the past three years for citywide preparations, and I would like to thank all those who have given their time and talents to make this one of the most watched and secure events our city has ever hosted. #KC2026
Community Flyers
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, House Leg. Review Committee | |
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 with SB 1150 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 1410 -Informal Calendar for perfection | |
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. | Passed 4.8 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!