Senator Ben Brown’s Capitol Report for April 2, 2025

Moving Things Along

Last week, the Senate third read and passed several more of my pieces of legislation and advanced two of my other priorities through the committee process.

When legislative activities were final, four of my bills were sent to the Missouri House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 61 will permit those with at least three years of work experience in a state that does not require licensure to apply for and obtain a temporary, two-year license. This will enable qualified employees to immediately enter the workforce and support their families while they meet the requirements for a permanent license in Missouri. During deliberations on SB 61, I was pleased to add provisions of my Senate Bill 283 and include license waivers for spouses of law enforcement officers in the bill.

Senate Bill 152 will ban foreign funding of ballot measures. Reports indicate that Missouri has been one of the top targets when it comes to foreign billionaires attempting to influence our electoral process. I am hopeful this legislation will put a stop to this interference. 

Enhancing Stand Your Ground Rights

Before floor debate on March 24, I presented Senate Bill 363 to the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee, which would ensure due process for gun owners who are put in impossible situations where they are forced to defend themselves or their families with a firearm. I believe Missouri’s current “stand your ground” law that passed in 2016 falls short of protecting Second Amendment rights in cases of self-defense when it comes to the presumption of innocence. My proposal enables a defendant to raise a claim of self-defense during a pre-trial hearing to possibly avoid an unmerited charge or court appearance. 

Closing the Gap that Punished Schools for 5-Day Weeks

Another bill I presented was Senate Bill 364, which relates to state aid for schools. During the Senate Education Committee hearing on March 25, I explained the unintended consequences of an education law enacted last year designed to incentivize five-day school weeks by requiring 169 school days for districts to be eligible for funding. Unfortunately, when schools have to cancel because of inclement weather, they may be penalized for not hitting the target. My SB 364 will protect school districts’ funding by changing the statute to a 169-calendar day timeline.

Initiative Petition Reform

Rural voters will be pleased that the legislation to raise the threshold to amend the Missouri Constitution has been combined with similar resolutions and passed out of committee. Pending voter approval, Senate Joint Resolution 47, 30 & 10 will require a majority of votes cast statewide, plus a majority of votes cast in a majority of state House of Representatives districts to pass an amendment. Additionally, SJR 47 prohibits foreign nationals from sponsoring, contributing to or soliciting funding for an initiative petition, which I hope will deter interference from the foreign nationals that have been infiltrating the state and attempting to influence elections. 

Welcoming Constituents to the Capitol

I want to thank everyone who stopped by office this week to advocate for our community. Below are a few of the constituents I welcomed to the Capitol. The annual Missouri 4-H Day was March 26, drawing around 900 members and sponsors to Jefferson City. Their energy was palpable in the halls, and I enjoyed learning more about this fine organization from the group below.

                                                                    Senator Brown listens to updates from a member of the Osage County 4-H as they meet with lawmakers on the annual 4-H Day at the Capitol.

 I also had the pleasure of introducing Tonya McDaniel and Jeana Shelton to my colleagues on the floor. The St. Clair ladies were in Jefferson City to meet with lawmakers and advocate for community banking.

It’s an honor representing District 26 in the Missouri Senate. If you need assistance with navigating state government or the legislative process, please reach out by calling 573-751-3678 or emailing Ben.Brown@senate.mo.gov.