Senator Joe Nicola took the oath of office to serve the people of the 11th Senatorial District on Jan. 8, 2025. 

During the 2026 legislative session, Sen. Nicola was successful in passing several pieces of legislation addressing important issues. The No Foreign Laws Act states that Missouri courts should not apply foreign law, including religious law, when doing so would deny a person’s fundamental rights under the Missouri or United States Constitutions. Senator Nicola also helped secure a win for small businesses with the passage of the Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation. This change addressed abusive lawsuits pertaining to ADA website accessibility. Businesses will now receive notice when there is an issue and will be allowed 90 days to take substantial steps to resolve the issue. 

Senate Bill 878 was passed and includes Senator Nicola’s legislation permitting pharmacists to dispense ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine without requiring a prescription from a licensed health care practitioner, once the warning label and pharmacy procedures are in place. Senator Nicola’s legislation to provide clarity in criminal sentencing was also passed by the Legislature as a provision within Senate Bill 1421.

Senator Nicola also filed legislation to prevent the encouragement of social transitions at public schools, regulate the use of artificial intelligence and improve the property tax assessment rate.

In addition to his work on the floor, Senator Nicola also serves as vice-chair of the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee and as chair of the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

Senator Nicola joined the United States Navy Seabees in 1984, serving until 1990. In 1986, at the age of 22, he started a motorcycle shop named Vision Cycles in Kansas City and ran the profitable shop for nearly a decade. He served as a youth minister for nine years from 1990-1999 and now serves as the founding pastor of New Covenant Ministries in Independence. Additionally, Sen. Nicola worked for the Blue Springs School District from 1999-2017 and has authored two theological books.

Senator Nicola has volunteered as a mentor to young men with the Youth Friends Organization in Independence. He has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, City Union Mission, the Independence School District and several other non-profits over many years.

In all, he has forty years of ministry and business leadership experience including leading teams overseas for ministry and humanitarian purposes and currently leads a ministry leaders prayer group in Independence.

Senator Nicola has lived in the Kansas City area for the majority of his life and currently lives in Grain Valley. Senator Nicola and his wife, Renee, were high school sweethearts and have been married for 42 years. In his free time, Sen. Nicola enjoys riding his Harley. 

Statewide Committees:
Missouri Veterans' Commission