With Monday off for the holiday, this was a shorter week in Jefferson City - but it still brought important progress.
Strengthening Transparency in Sentencing
On Tuesday, I joined Governor Kehoe for the signing of SB 888, a bill focused on improving Missouri's criminal justice system.
This legislation included my bill on sentencing reform - an effort centered on making the system clearer, more transparent, and more consistent for everyone involved.
SB 888 does the following:
1. Improves information sharing.
- Allows better record sharing between law enforcement and prosecutors.
- Helps track cases more effectively, including juvenile adjudication history.
2. Increases penalties for sexual criminal offenses.
3. Advances sentencing reform.
- Streamlines how sentencing processes are handled.
- Adds clarity and transparency to how parole eligibility is calculated.
Why This Matters
For too long, parts of the criminal justice system have been difficult to navigate and understand - not just for those inside the system, but for victims and families.
This reform is about bringing clarity where there has been confusion.
It's about making sure:
- Victims have confidence in the system.
- Law enforcement has the tools they need.
- Sentencing is applied in a way that is consistent and understandable.
At the end of the day, accountability and transparency go hand in hand. When the system is clear, it works better for everyone - and it builds trust in the rule of law.
Protecting Ratepayers in Energy Policy
On Wednesday, the Senate took up a nuclear energy bill, where I offered an amendment addressing Construction Work in Progress (CWIP).
What's Happening
CWIP would allow utilities to begin charging customers in advance for the construction of large energy projects - before those projects are complete and producing power. This measure was passed last year in SB 4, which pertained to natural gas facilities.
What My Amendment Does
- Prohibits utilities from charging upfront for nuclear plant construction.
- Ensures ratepayers are not financially responsible for projects that are still uncertain.
- Applies specifically to nuclear energy facilities.
This amendment passed narrowly by a 14-13 vote.
Why This Matters
Missouri families are already dealing with rising costs. Asking them to fund major construction projects upfront - without guarantees those projets will be completed, stay on budget, or deliver results - is not fair.
At the same time, we continue to see large corporations receive significant tax abatements and discounted energy rates. For example, a data center project in Independence is receiving over 90% tax abatement along with energy discounts.
My concern is simple:
- Large corporations are often given incentives and protections
- Meanwhile, everyday Missourians are asked to take on more financial risk
That imbalance is something I believe we must address. Protecting ratepayers and ensuring fairness should remain a priority as we shape Missouri's energy future.
A Step Forward
While it was a shorter week, it was still a productive one. I remain hopeful as we continue working through the legislative process, pushing good measures forward and working to protect liberty and freedom for Missouri families.
Stay Connected
As always, you can view all my votes by clicking "My Votes" at the top of the page. Transparency matters and I want you to be able to see exactly how I'm representing you.
If you have questions, need assistance, or want to share your thoughts, please reach out to our office. We are here to serve you and be a resource for you.
God bless you, and I look forward to continuing the work ahead.
This Week in Photos
Last weekend I had the honor of being the master of ceremonies
at the Special Olympics swim meet.
The signing of SB 888 in Governor Kehoe's office.
Office work
Grady Wohletz, 12th grader at Independence Art & Tech School
Winner of the 2026 Senate Art Contest for District 11
Despite the hate, chaos, confusion and turmoil in the world, the work of the cross and the power of the resurrection continues to change the hearts of men.
Jesus, the King, chose to come to earth, live as a man tempted like we are and die a horrible death by crucifixion so we wouldn't have to. He shed His blood as a sacrifice for the sin of all. He did it for love of His Father and for each of us.
John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."
All that is required to receive the forgiveness and the abundant eternal life He offers is to receive Him into your heart. No amount of good works can earn our salvation. The resurrection is our assurance that all those who have received Him shall also rise from the dead and be with Him for all eternity.
May you be blessed by the Living God and receive newness of life.
Some weeks at the Capitol are about quiet committee work. Others remind us just how much is at stake. This was one of those weeks.
We saw important movement on legislation dealing with artificial intelligence, foreign law and cannabis policy. Some bills moved forward. Some ran into longer conversations and one went through several hours of filibustering before it finally passed in the wee hours of the next morning.
Even when the process takes time, it still matters. These debates and this law making process shapes how Missouri protects families, upholds the law, and responds to new challenges in a changing world.
Artificial Intelligence - SB 1012
My Ai legislations, SB 1012, was brought to the Senate floor for debate this week. First of all, I want to be very clear about my position on Ai.
Artificial intelligence is an incredible tool, and it has the power to help people do things we could not have even imagined even a few short years ago. I'm excited to see what we will be able to do and accomplish with it as it develops even further. I do NOT want to stifle or hinder innovation, because Ai has the potential to create phenomenal benefits in our lives right now and there are even greater opportunities for the future.
At the same time, I believe we must handle it responsibly, with clear human accountability and thoughtful protections in place for the people and things we value and hold dear. Protecting our children, consumers, professionals, and our elections are places I believe we should start.
Ai should remain a tool that serves people, not something that is treated like a person or used as a shield from responsibility, and the goal should be to minimize the risks as much as possible without losing the real benefits it can provide.
That's what SB 1012 does. It does not prohibit the use of Ai in any way - for anyone or for any profession. It does not punish developers. It simply gives clarity to the fact that Ai is a tool - not a human and that when harm occurs, a human is still responsible. It protects consumers by requiring disclosure when they are communicating with Ai vs a human in regard to activities that are handled by licensed professionals such as attorneys, doctors, or CPAs. It protects election integrity by requiring disclosure when political ads are created by Ai and it creates a new crime related to harming people with deepfakes.
Two Republican senators filibustered the bill until it was laid over due to their concerns regarding President Trump's executive order. I've studied the order and don't believe my bill conflicts. However, I am working with the White House to alleviate any issues there might be and I'm looking forward to coming to a resolution that ensures Missourians rights are protected as we continue to experience incredible advances
I'm hopeful that SB 1012 will be back on the Senator floor for more discussions and debate soon.
A Win On Protections From Foreign Laws
We took an important step forward this week dealing with the influences of foreign laws in our courts. The Senate perfected SB 977 & 1011, which were filed by Senator Nick Schroer and myself as "No Shari'a Act.” They were combined and expanded to included all foreign laws that would deny parties fundamental rights protected by the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions.
This kind of legislation matters because law should be clear, consistent, and rooted in our Constitutions. We took a meaningful step forward this week.
Filibuster on Cannabis
Tuesday evening brought a lengthy conversation on the senate floor regarding new regulation of the lower dose THC products often sold in vape shops and convenience stores. HB 2641 eventually passed in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
This was a reminder that not every vote comes easily and sometimes legislation in the Senate moves through a long and arduous process. Even so, that process is important and I believe it's imperative that the process unfold as it was designed to do.
The filibuster is a valuable tool that enables every senator's voice to be heard. Filibusters ensure even Missouri's minority constituents are represented, which is critical to a democratic republic government. Debating, filibustering and long nights on the Senate floor are part of getting the more controversial legislation across the finish line.
Filibusters make for long nights and coffee-fueled mornings, but it's still an honor to participate.
Stay Informed & Connected
As always, you can stay informed & connected in all the ways listed below. And if you need help, have a concern or want to share your thoughts please reach out to the office. We are here to serve you.
- Click on "My Votes" in the menu at the top. If you have questions about my votes, please ask.
- Subscribe to The Digest so you don't miss anything.
- Email the office if we can be of service to you.
Photos
Speaking to a group in the rotunda about the 2nd amendment
April 1 was Firefighter Day at the Capitol
Missouri Firefighters Alliance stopped by to visit.
Constituents from United Auto Workers
Select Committee on Property Tax & the STC
The Capitol is quiet during late night filibusters
Danielle DuPree & Missouri business women
This was a week of real movement in Jefferson City.
We held hearings on several important bills, a committee vote moving one of my veterans' bills forward, final votes on the Senate floor, and more work to protect Missouri families, property rights and the rule of law. Step by step, these are the kinds of weeks that matter because this is how legislation moves from an idea to something that can make a real difference in people's lives.
Bills Moving Forward
A big part of this week was continuing to advance legislation that addresses practical problems for Missouri families and communities.
On Monday, a House committee held a hearing on SB 1351, my bill dealing with the Independence School District board terms and other urban districts. This bill would shorten school board terms from 6 years to 3 years in Independence. It would also allow one excused school absence for a student to attend a scheduled election with a parent or guardian. That is a simple hange, but it helps strengthen accountability and encourages civic involvement at the local level.
On Tuesday, SB 920 received a hearing in the Senate Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee. In a nutshell, this bill is aimed at stopping large corporate and hedge-fund-style ownership from swallowing up more of Missouri's housing market. This bill would bar certain business and investment entities that already own more than 50 single family homes or more than 100 residential unites in Missouri from buying additional residential property here. It also gives the Attorney General enforcement authority and allows courts to order unlawfully acquired residential property sold. this matters because Missouri families should not have to compete with massive entities that can distort the housing market and make homeownership harder to reach.
Also on Tuesday, SB 1619 was voted Do Pass in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. This bill would expand certain leave-of-absense protections to volunteer firefighters who also serve, and it would update military leave provisions from 120 hours in a fiscal year to 38 working days. Our service members and volunteer firefighters carry real burdens for our communities, and our laws should reflect that. I was glad to see this bill move forward.
On Wednesday, I presented SB 1476 in the Senate Judiciary & Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. This bill establishes provisions relating to adult cabaret performances and creates penalties when those performances take place on public property or where they can be viewed by minors. The first offense would be a Class A misdemeanor, with subsequent offenses treated as a Class E felony. Parents have a right to expect that children will not be exposed to sexually explicit performances in public settings.
We also saw progress this week on legislation dealing with abusive ADA website litigation. The Senate perfected the combined bill package that includes SB 1154, legislated designed to address abusive disability-access website lawsuits by giving businesses notice and a chance to correct problems before litigation moves forward. That is the kind of fair-process reform that protects legitimate claims while discouraging "sue and settle" tactics.
What's On The Calendar
As the week continued, more important issues were lined up on the calendar for action on the Senate floor.
The perfection calendar now includes SBs 977 & 1011, the "No Shari'a Law." This bill would prohibit the application and enforceability of foreign law like Sharia, legal codes and systems in Missouri courts.
My SB 1012 dealing with artificial intelligence and SB 919 relating to property taxes are on the calendar for debate as well as SB 1534 is ready for a final vote.
The Importance of a Goalie
Sometimes, it's just as important to be the one at the goal blocking the advances of your opponents. We already have inalienable rights. We usually don't need more legislation to protect them but often we find that they need to be defended from attacks. That is just as important in my work here as seeing bills passed.
In Missouri, the office of sheriff is outlined in our statutes but not protected in our state constitution. Senator Carter filed a bill that would add protective language in our constitution that would ensure that each Missouri county has a sheriff who is elected by the people.
This week, one KC Senator tried to add an amendment that would exempt Jackson County. I was successful in killing the amendment and protecting Jackson County.
I believe elected sheriffs are important and need to be protected and I did not want to see Jackson County excluded again from good policy. I'm happy that I was able to kill that amendment and keep our sheriff in Jackson County protected.
The bill is a joint resolution which means it will need a passing vote of the people at the ballot box in order to amend the Missouri Constitution.
Committee Work & Floor Action
In addition to bill hearings, committees continued hearing legislation on major issues affecting Missouri families.
On Wednesday, the Families Committee heard legislation to repeal the sunset on The SAFE Act and also heard another Born Alive bill. These are serious issues and they deserve careful consideration.
We also had final votes on several bills this week.
Good Visits From Home
One of the best parts of serving in the Senate is welcoming people from our district and hearing directly from them.
This week, I was glad to introduce guests from the Oak Grove School District on the Senate floor. We also enjoyed having guests from Freedom of the Road Riders visit the office.
Thursday I had the opportunity to speak to the Missouri Federation of Republican Women and meet some of the Breckenridge Scholars. I also enjoyed visiting with some of the federated women in our office. Those conversations matter. They help keep the work at the Capitol grounded in the real concerns and priorities of the people we serve.
Why This Matters
This week was busy and productive.
This is how we protect homeowners, support veterans, strengthen families, improve local accountability, and keep moving good ideas through the legislative process. Hearings, committee votes, debates on the floor - every step matters and every step takes work.
I remain hopeful and committed to keeping that work moving forward for the people of our district and for Missouri.
Stay Connected
Thank you for taking the time to follow what is happening at the Capitol.
You can always review my votes by clicking "My Votes" in the menu at the top. And if our office can ever help you, please reach out. We are here to serve you.
The Week in Photos
Presenting SB 1476 to the Judiciary Committee
Advocates for adult education
Educators from Oak Grove School District
Freedom of the Road Riders
Missouri Federation of Republican Women
Charlotte Mattson, Breckenridge Scholar
This week at the Capitol was the last before Spring Break. It brought lots of movement for several issues. There is still lots of work to be done across the board, of course, but we made good progress this week.
Food Truck Licensing
One of the practical problems food trucks in Jackson County are dealing with is the requirement to be licensed by the Jackson County Health Department as well as each municipality where they want to do business. This means multiple licenses which require basically the same thing. It's redundant, not necessary and it creates hinderances for these small businesses to grow.
I filed a bill, SB 1255, that was heard in committee this week that would allow food trucks to be able to do business in all municipalities across Jackson County if they have one permit from the Jackson County Health Department.
I was grateful to have support in the committee from local people in the district who have first hand experience and understand this issue. Danielle DuPree from Ennovation Center came to testify along with Joohae "Chewy" Yoon from Go Chew. It makes a difference when citizens come to the Capitol and speak directly about how a policy affects their businesses and families. Their testimonies put a local face on the need for this bill.
Joohae Yoon & Danielle DuPree
Real Property Tax Relief
We also saw some progress this week on property taxes. The Select Property Tax Committee passed my bill, SB 919, along with one other property tax bill and one joint resolution pertaining to property taxes. SB 919 is still a work in progress and there will be more changes, but this is an important step. I'm hopeful we can keep it moving as the conversations continue. Your home should not become unaffordable because the government keeps asking for more.
Property rights are key to liberty. People who work hard to purchase a home should be able to stay in them, build equity and generational wealth while not being priced out of them by tax burdens they can't control.
Term Limits & Accountability
On Wednesday, SJR 97 was heard in committee. This proposed constitutional amendment would submit term limits for Missouri legislators to Missouri voters. SJR 97, if passed, would allow the current term limits to be adjusted slightly although keeping the total time served to 16 years. Currently, the term limits for legislators are set at 8 years in the House of Representatives and 8 years in the Senate.
My resolution would remove the individual limits for each chamber. Total years of service could be done in any amount in either chamber - up to 16 years.
This matters because good policy takes time.
It takes time to learn procedure.
It takes time to understand complex issues well.
It takes time to build relationships that are needed to pass good legislation & kill bad bills.
When members are forced out too quickly, the people's branch loses valuable knowledge and experience. When that happens, influence shifts from the elected officials toward staff, lobbyists and bureaucratic systems that are not accountable to voters. Institutional knowledge and legislative history is lost to the ones elected to serve but the lobbyists and bureaucrats grow in their knowledge & experience - becoming the experts in every room.
The people don't want the special interests and lobbyists controlling the system, but term limits have put legislators in a position where the lobbyists are relied upon for their expertise. We can't have it both ways. Term limits need to be adjusted. My bill isn't a complete fix for the problem, but it's a step in the right direction.
Nebius In Independence
On Friday, I met with officials from the City of Independence and Nebius to discuss the proposed AI factory and data center development. Nebius, a technology company headquartered in Amsterdam, is building a data center in eastern Independence.
During the meeting, I made it clear I was disappointed that I had not been included in the initial conversations or negotiations on a project of this size and importance. Developments that could significantly affect our community should be handled with transparency and the appropriate elected officials at the table.
I requested all related documents, agreements, contracts, and other key information such as projected water usage, electricity demand, tax abatements, PILOT agreements and any other pertinent details. I received some of those materials before the close of business that same day.
I will now be reviewing the documents carefully and continue conversations to better understand the full scope of this agreement and how it may affect the people of our district. The citizens I represent deserve clear answers, transparency, and accountability on decisions with this kind of long-term impact.
Stay Engaged
As always, I want to keep you informed about what's happening and why it matters. You can see my votes any time by clicking "My Votes" in the top menu. If you need help with a state issue, please don't hesitate to reach out to my office. We're here to serve you and we want to help.
Photos From This Week
Advocates from our district for American Cancer Society
Presenting a resolution to a constituent, Sienna Ficken, who is
a college student and was in the Capitol presenting
her research on muscular dystrophy.
Opening prayer in the chamber
Early morning arrival at the Capitol
