Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

June 20, 2025

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

Finishing Up the Extra Session

The Senate spent much of the last few weeks in an extraordinary session called by the governor to pass bills relating to disaster relief, state investments and sports. The Senate came together and created three bills to handle these issues: Senate Bill 1, Senate Bill 3 and Senate Bill 4.

One of the top priorities of the extra session, and the sole purpose of SB 4, was to provide disaster relief to help those devastated by storms this year. Senate Bill 4 allows for the swift disbursement of FEMA funds by preemptively expediting the process. However, all three bills have a disaster relief component. Senate Bill 1 allows various state departments to reallocate funds for disaster relief purposes. Meanwhile, SB 3 provides a tax credit of up to $5,000 dollars to those whose homes were damaged. I believe it is important for Missouri to stand together, especially in the case of these storms that have taken life while destroying homes and livelihood.

Another priority of session was to supply funds to a few key projects that did not make it through the regular session budget process. Senate Bill 1 carried this responsibility and allocated funds to a number of projects including the construction of the University of Missouri Research Reactors new Radioisotope Science Center which will drastically improve cancer research in the state. The bill also included funding for improvements to the state fair, a number of state parks, conservation efforts and the construction of a large mental health hospital, among other things. I am glad this bill made it through the extra session and will help fund a number of key projects in the state.

Finally, SB 3 largely focused on tax credits for athletics in the state, both at the collegiate and professional level. First, it improves a tax credit for colleges and amateur teams for every ticket sold, increasing the amount granted with each ticket and the upper limit the credit can provide. Second, it provides a competitive deal to the Chiefs and Royals to keep them and their economic impact in the state, by providing a plan for the state to work with these teams to help finance stadium improvements and construction. It also includes protections for taxpayers to ensure the investment dollars stay in the state. I believe this is important to the state because of the large amount of economic growth and tax revenue, as well as morale and camaraderie these teams provide.

In conclusion, the governor signed all three bills this week.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.