Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for June 13, 2025
Friday, June 13, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for June 13, 2025
Extra Session Yields Disaster Relief and Stadium Funding
Late last month, the governor announced the First Extraordinary Session of the 103rd General Assembly, summoning lawmakers back to Jefferson City on June 2 to codify and/or appropriate specific items in his call. I’m pleased to report, after first being proposed, deliberated and passed in the Senate, all of the called for proposals, including disaster relief and the Kansas City pro sports stadium assistance, were truly agreed and finally passed by the Missouri House of Representatives and sent to the governor to be signed on June 11.
Extreme weather and tornadoes have ripped through Missouri communities in urban and rural areas alike, leaving behind a pathway of destroyed homes, property, public infrastructure and lives. In response, the governor has issued executive orders declaring a state of emergency and asked the Legislature to appropriate funds to accelerate recovery efforts. Oftentimes, these tragedies upend impoverished folks the most, namely those who struggle to find comprehensive insurance policies for their property, or cannot afford them if they do. Senate Bill 1 allocates $25 million to the Missouri Housing Development Commission to help with housing, and an additional $100,000,000 from the disaster relief fund to help impacted families get back on their feet.
The intent of Senate Bill 4 is to expedite the disbursement of these and federal funds through the Missouri Housing Development Commission for emergency aid to qualifying families, pending approval of the presidential disaster declaration the governor submitted to FEMA. The proposal increases the cap to qualify for housing and rebuilding assistance from 50% of the median family income of the geographic area or state to 75% to encompass more people. Getting emergency aid to Missourians in need is vital, and I am grateful for the cooperative support and the General Assembly’s attempts to help decimated communities.
Another of my primary concerns during the extra session was the inclusion of the capital improvements other projects listed in House Bill 19 which failed to reach the governor’s desk. This included $48 million to construct the 200-bed mental health hospital in Kansas City and $50 million to build the cancer-researching Radioisotope Science Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia, among other projects. Thankfully, SB 1 was amended during debate to include funding for the hospital and cancer research center. The return on these investments will have a lasting impact in our state and benefit residents in all four corners alike.
Kansas City’s professional sports’ stadiums have been a hot topic lately, especially since Kansas has offered to finance up to 70% of the teams’ new stadium construction costs. Losing these teams, and their decades of contributions, could be detrimental to our community, the metro area and the entire state of Missouri.
In response, my colleagues and I in the upper chamber discussed Senate Bill 3 at length on June 4. The legislation created the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, permitting the state to help fund 50% of the planning, financing and implementing of stadium upgrades or new stadium construction. If, at any time over the next 30 years, either team decides to leave, they will be required to pay back all taxpayer dollars received.
This proposal also authorized a tax credit for homestead damage related to the storms, enabling taxpayers to claim a $5,000 credit on their tax returns to help offset the cost of their insurance deductibles. I supported this provision and ultimately voted yes on this legislation as it was being third read and passed in the Senate.
News for the 9th
Join Us for a Legislative Update and Booster Seat Giveaway on June 21!
Please mark your calendars for June 21 and plan to attend a town hall at Morningstar Youth and Family Life Center. Local elected officials will join me in providing a legislative update on the 2025 session, and booster seats will be available while supplies last. Share the flyer below.
Area Juneteenth Festivities
Next week, communities across the nation with gather to celebrate the sordid history and downplayed accomplishments of African Americans during Juneteenth. Kansas City has dedicated a website to warehouse the various activities around town, which include a Cultural parade this weekend and a heritage festival on June 21. Visit juneteenthkc.com for more information.
2025 18th & Vine Arts Festival
Our community’s historic district will host the 2025 18th and Vine Arts Festival Sept. 26-28. The Honor Awards will take place on May 25, and calls for artists and musicians are scheduled periodically this summer. Call 816-760-2278 or email info@18thandvineartsfest.org for additional information.
Hot Weather Law Goes Into Effect June 1
Missouri’s Hot Weather Law will be in effect June 1 – Sept. 30. During this time frame, utility companies are not allowed to disconnect service when temperatures reach 95 degrees between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program may be able to help with your summer utility bills. Visit mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance-liheap to see if you qualify.
Please share the community event flyers below.
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2025
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. | Truly agreed as a provision of HB 594 | |
The Missouri CROWN Act prohibits hair-based discrimination in publicly-funded educational institutions. | Truly Agreed as provision of SB 160 | |
Expands and diversifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun for a minor. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Passed 3.12 Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for qualified providers of employment, employment services or housing for homeless persons. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing assistance to victims of domestic violence. | Passed 2.25 Progress and Development Committee | |
Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical services | Hearing conducted 3.25 Emerging Issues | |
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 provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pension | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services to include midwifery. | Referred to Insurance and Banking | |
Designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day to honor Missouri native and Negro Leagues Baseball star pitcher. | Truly agreed as a provision of SB 348 | |
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | Truly agreed as a provision of SB 348 | |
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Requires public and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | Referred to Education | |
Creates provisions relating to lactating public and charter school students. | Referred to Education | |
Requires schools that receive state funds to give excused absences for attending scheduled elections with their parents. | Hearing conducted 3.4 Education | |
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years the opportunity to register to vote. | Hearing conducted 3.4 Education | |
Creates a health advocate program at the Department of Health and Senior Services for eligible pregnant patients. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Modifies provisions relating to restitution for individuals who are actually innocent and exonerated based on evidence other than DNA. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to use of marijuana by family court participants. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Authorizes a tax credit for first time home buyers to purchase eligible blighted property. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Provides that no person, corporation, or other entity in Missouri shall manufacture, import, possess, purchase, sell or transfer any assault weapon or large capacity magazine. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Designates Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County. | Truly agreed and finally passed | |
Modifies provisions relating to closed criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates that eligible offenses be automatically expunged without petition. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Designates every Nov. 9 as Links, Incorporated Day in Missouri | Truly agreed and finally passed | |
Creates a DWI diversion program. | Hearing conducted 2.26 Judiciary | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility after serving 30 years or more of a sentence. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Reduces the term of probation for a misdemeanor violation from 2 years to 18 months and removes the drug and alcohol screening for certain offenses. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Prohibits removing registered voters from the Missouri Voter Registration System unless the voter has not voted in the previous five calendar years or met other criteria. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions | |
Includes CLASS EA – esthetics and manicuring as a new classification for 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 carrying concealed firearms in public libraries. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies continuing education requirements for peace officers. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene product for all purchases made by qualifying organizations. | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Designates the Kansas City Chiefs as the official professional football team of Missouri. | Hearing conducted 4.1, Progress and Development | |
Temporarily extends the hours which liquor may be sold by the drink during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. | Referred to General Laws | |
Establishes the Missouri Entertainment Facility – Capital Assistance Program | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide | Referred to Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources | |
Places limits on increases in the assessment of certain properties, pending voter approval. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Eliminates the statute of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | Referred to 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!