Senator Ben Brown’s Capitol Report for May 23, 2025

Successes from the 2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 legislative session came to a close for the Missouri Senate on May 14, yielding many successes for the people of Missouri. In this report, I’ll highlight the some of the proposals passed by the General Assembly, which include enhancing public safety, reforming tax codes, clarifying Amendment 3 and protecting the Constitution. 

Comprehensive Public Safety Overhaul

One of the first bills the governor signed in 2025 was House Bill 495. This comprehensive public safety law restores state oversight of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department through a citizen board and reduces political interference in law enforcement, increases the penalties for trafficking a child, and creates a Committee on School Safety. I believe these reforms will address the state’s high violent crime rates and better equip law enforcement agencies to solve crimes. Safer streets will greatly improve lives, bolster economic development and draw more visitors to Missouri.

Tax Reforms

The Legislature also took proactive steps to help Missourians keep more of their hard-earned money this session. Besides creating a tax deduction for all income reported as capital gains, House Bill 594 raises the earnings cap for the senior citizens property tax credit, adjusts the annual credit to correspond with the Consumer Price Index and allows disabled veterans access to these benefits. The bill also exempts diaper products from sales tax.

Protecting the Sanctity of Life

Voters will have another chance protect the sanctity of life and clarify the current language in the Missouri Constitution that resulted from the passage of Amendment 3 last November. Pending voter approval, House Joint Resolution 73 will ban abortions in Missouri, except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. The resolution allows the General Assembly to enact laws to regulate abortions, their facilities and providers, and it bans gender transition surgeries and medications for minors. 

Banning Foreign Influence in Elections

Protecting the Missouri Constitution from foreign influence has been a priority of mine since taking the oath of office. This is why I filed Senate Bill 152, to ban foreign funding in state ballot measures. The legislation bans foreign nationals from soliciting or interfering with voters’ decision-making process and creates a new enforcement mechanism to monitor and investigate campaign law complaints. Based on reports I have seen, for far too long, foreign billionaires have been funneling millions of dollars in to our state to influence our initiative process and hijack the Constitution, including $4.6 million just last year to help fund the Amendment 3 campaign. My SB 152 puts an end to this, ensuring that Missourians, not foreign interests, are the ones determining the best policies for our state. 

Defending Students’ Rights

My Homeschoolers Sports Act, Senate Bill 63, permits homeschooled children to participate in their school districts’ sports and extra-curricular activities, which are funded in part by their parents’ tax dollars. All Missouri children deserve equal access to the enrichment and skills these activities provide. Similar legislation has been in the works for years, and I am thankful for the steadfast advocacy of homeschool families who helped me get this measure to the governor in 2025.

My Legislative Successes

In addition to the successful passage of SB 63 and SB 152, three more of my sponsored bills are now awaiting the governor’s signature. Senate Bill 283, which provides license reciprocity for spouses of law enforcement officers, was an amendment to House Bill 225. This legislation will help attract more experienced professionals to the state and assist communities and small businesses in filling job vacancies.

Another bill I sponsored will greatly benefit local schools. One of the laws passed last session incentivized five-day school weeks, but unfortunately, the new calculation didn’t account for inclement weather days. I filed Senate Bill 364 to ensure school districts will not lose their state funding or be penalized for being in session less than 169 days. My legislation was added as an amendment to Senate Bill 68, which is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

My final bill to make it across the finish line is Senate Bill 396. A simple, commonsense reform, SB 396 permits public library districts to change the dates of their fiscal year to better align with their planning, budgets and other fiscal responsibilities. This will help rural and urban communities alike.

Claim Your Property!

According to the Unclaimed Property database, the Missouri Treasurer is holding $15.1 billion belonging to approximately 281,460 residents in the 26th Senatorial District. Visit treasurer.mo.gov to search the database and claim your property.

It is such an honor to serve you in the Missouri Senate, and I am grateful for your support and advocacy. While I look forward to traveling around the district and meeting with you in our community during the interim, my office will remain open. Please reach out if you need assistance from my team.

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.