As we wrap up another busy week in the Missouri Senate, I want to take a moment to provide an overview of the progress we’ve made. Several important bills moved forward, and I had the opportunity to present my first piece of legislation on the Senate floor.
Bills Passed in the Senate last Week:
- SB 38 sponsored by Senator Barbara Washington creates "Missouri CROWN Act" which prohibits discriminatory practices as they relate to hairstyles in elementary and secondary education.
- SB 43 sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater relating to child protections.
- SB 66 sponsored by Senator Tracy McCreery raises the legal age of marriage to 18.
- SB 82 sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger creates provisions to permit & regulate the exportation of water.
- SB 160 sponsored by Senator Brad Hudson creates provisions relating to higher education discrimination.
- SB 221 sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer modifies the standard of review for statutes, rules and regulations.
- SB 466 sponsored by Senator Kurtis Gregory repeals the sunset provisions on several agricultural tax credits.
- HB 495 sponsored by Representative Brad Christ modifies several sections of statute regarding public safety, including the control of the City of St. Louis Police Dept. being moved to a statutorily created Board of Police Commissioners.
My First Bill on the Senate Floor – SB 87
A significant moment for me this week was presenting my first bill, SB 87, on the Senate floor. This legislation would allow counties the option to cap the increase in real property tax liability to 5% every assessment year. This is a balanced approach that provides tax relief without forcing counties to participate. Below is a video of my explanation on the floor.
While the bill does not mandate any county’s participation and still allows for a reasonable increase, some Democrat senators voiced concerns about potential funding implications for local services and schools. As a result, SB 87 was laid over to the informal calendar. Over the coming weeks, I will work diligently to address these concerns and find a balanced solution that offers relief to property owners while maintaining necessary funding for public services. I am hopeful that we can move this bill forward and pass it in the House.
my thoughts on real property taxes & local services
SJR 62 is sponsored by Senator Mike Cierpiot and had a public hearing in our Local Government committee this week. Funding for schools is a recurring conversation and criticism we hear when we attempt to bring relief to our property owners through reducing their property tax bills. I shared my feelings about it in the hearing this week, which you can watch below.
other things we're working on
protecting your freedom of speech
SB 84 is a bill that encroaches on your freedom of speech, instead opting for the protection of election workers over citizens. I am opposed to treating groups of people differently, including elected officials or election workers. Everyone needs to be protected from harm. With that in mind, I have stood and continue to stand in opposition to this bill and any other that would carry this language. Currently, the bill is laid over on the informal calendar and the sponsor has agreed to leave it lie there. Another local government bill originally included this language as well, SB 182, and I've also been told by that sponsor the language will be removed. My staff and I will be watching to see what happens, but we are hopeful this issue has been taken care of. If we see this language reappear in these or any other pieces of legislation, rest assured we will be doing everything in our power to kill it.
foreign ownership of missouri agricultural land
SB 217 is a bill having to do with the foreign ownership of Missouri's farm land. Originally, this bill makes it legal for foreign entities to own unlimited amounts of farm land for the purposes of doing any type of research.
Currently, Missouri law allows for foreign entities to purchase all types of land in Missouri. There is a current limit on the purchase of agricultural land by foreign entities, however, of 1% IF that farm land is being used for agricultural purposes. Foreign entities ARE currently allowed to purchase an unlimited amount ag land if they are NOT using it for ag purposes.
The original form of SB 217 would ban all foreign entities from owning ag land EXCEPT for land used for research. Purchasing would be unlimited if the land was being used for research.
I am in agreement that no foreign companies should own ag land. However, I believe to allow for unlimited ownership for the purpose of research is unwise & dangerous. I'm thankful to be on the committee that heard this bill and I was able to add a restriction on all foreign adversaries purchasing farm land for any purpose. I'd love to also see a limit on these purchases and I'm going to work toward that end.
The topic of foreign land ownership has been a heated one for quite some time and unfortunately, the details often get conflated and campaign ads are spun for marketing purposes. I hope this information and the following links are helpful.
Missouri Statutes on Foreign Ownership of Land
- Definitions
- Limitations on Foreign Ownership of Farm Land
- Court Ordered Divestiture - When
- Lease Deemed Ownership
- Failure to Divest
- Exceptions to the 1% Limit for Nonfarming Purposes
Missouri Department of Agriculture Foreign Owned Ag Land (FOAL) Reports
exciting announcement: new radio show!
I am thrilled to announce that this Saturday, March 8, 2025, marks the launch of our new radio show, "The Senator’s Office," where I will be joined by my Chief of Staff, Jodi Grace. This show will air every Saturday at 3:00 PM on Real Talk 93.3 FM.
You can listen live via their app or website at Real Talk 93.3, and you can find the replays here on our website. We look forward to discussing legislative updates, answering your questions, and engaging with you on the issues that matter most to Missouri.
Thank you for your continued support, and as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
A Costly Burden on Missouri Families and Businesses
This past week, the Missouri Senate passed SB 4, an omnibus utility bill. While this legislation addresses various utility policies—including gas, electricity, sewer, and water—two of its most concerning provisions will have a direct and costly impact on Missouri citizens: Construction Work In Progress (CWIP) and future test years. I stood in opposition to SB 4, recognizing the financial burden it will place on hard-working families and businesses across the state.
What is CWIP?
CWIP is a utility policy that allows utility companies to charge customers for the costs of new power plant construction before the plant is completed and operational. This means that ratepayers are forced to finance these projects in advance, bearing the financial risk that traditionally falls on the utility companies and their investors. Missouri voters prohibited CWIP in a statutory ballot initiative in the 1970s, rejecting the idea that consumers should pay for something they are not yet receiving. This piece of legislation would overturn the will of the people. This was reason enough for me to vote no on this bill.
future test years
SB 4 also included provisions for future test years, which is policy allowing rates to be determined by future expense projections vs. historical expenses which can easily be proven. Projecting expenses to justify rate increases isn't what the people deserve.
impacting real people & real businesses
I opposed SB 4 because it will drive up utility rates for Missouri families, both large and small businesses, and manufacturers. At a time when citizens are already grappling with rising costs, this bill forces them to shoulder even more financial strain.
There is great potential for economic damage caused by significant utility rate increases, particularly for the manufacturing sector where commercial rates are already high and the electricity usage is more than the average citizen can imagine. When utility costs rise, businesses have fewer resources to invest in growth, hiring, and wages. Many companies, especially in manufacturing, have been operating on thin margins due to the current state of our economy. I'm very concerned these increases in cost could lead to widespread job losses across Missouri.
Even if several jobs aren't lost, the increased overhead due to enormous rate increases will be passed on to the customers, giving the average citizen not only increased utility bills but increased prices on their purchases.
A Departure from trump policies
The policies within SB 4 are in direct contradiction to the pro-growth, pro-tax relief agenda championed by President Trump. Instead of cutting costs for citizens and reducing government intervention, this bill increases financial burdens, expands government oversight, and shifts financial risks from utility companies to Missouri consumers. This is precisely the kind of legislation that stifles economic opportunity rather than promoting it.
A July 17, 2024, article by Politico quotes President Trump as saying,
“We’re going to get energy prices reduced within the first year to less than half of what they are right now, and that’s going to bring down inflation.” - President Trump.
Every county in Missouri chose President Trump over his competitor. What in the world are we doing in the Missouri legislature by enacting policy that is the opposite of President Trump's agenda and raising costs for the people?
The videos below explain more about my thoughts on this bill.
As your Missouri State Senator, I am committed to introducing and supporting legislation that benefits the hardworking families of our state. I want to take a moment to share updates on several key bills I have filed this session, including SB 87, which has successfully passed through the Economic Development Committee, as well as SB 85, which will have a hearing on Wednesday.
SB 87: Providing Long-Term Property Tax Relief
One of my top priorities has been ensuring tax relief for Missouri homeowners. Under current law, residential real property is assessed at 19% of its true value in money. SB 87 gradually reduces this percentage by 0.25% every two years, ultimately lowering it to 17% by 2040. This measured approach allows homeowners to see consistent and predictable tax relief while maintaining local government funding stability. With SB 87 passing through the Economic Development Committee, I look forward to seeing it advance further in the legislative process.
SB 85: Preventing AI in Property Assessments
Technology continues to evolve, and with it comes new challenges. SB 85 ensures that property assessments remain fair and transparent by prohibiting county assessors from solely using tech such as artificial intelligence (AI) or computer based algorithms to determine property values if there is an increase in value of more than 4%. Homeowners deserve accurate and human-reviewed assessments rather than relying on computer-driven formulas that may lack accountability. A hearing for SB 85 is scheduled for Monday, and I encourage anyone with concerns about property assessments to stay informed on this important legislation.
Additional Legislation I Have Filed
Beyond SB 87 and SB 85, I have introduced several other bills that I believe will have a meaningful impact on our state. These are a few of them:
- SB 86: General Municipal Election Day Reform – This bill moves municipal elections from April to November, aligning them with general elections to increase voter turnout and engagement.
- SB 171: Personal Property Tax Reduction – This legislation mandates an annual reduction in personal property tax assessments until the percentage reaches 0.3% by 2036, providing much-needed tax relief.
- SB 509: AI in Elections – This act requires disclaimers on political ads created with AI, ensuring transparency in campaign materials and protecting voters from misleading content.
- SJR 34: Property Tax Cap – If approved by voters, this constitutional amendment would cap annual increases in residential property assessments, ensuring that property taxes do not skyrocket beyond reasonable limits.
- SJR 35: Jackson County Assessor Elections – This amendment removes the exception that currently allows Jackson County to appoint, rather than elect, its assessor. This change ensures that all charter counties in Missouri have elected assessors, promoting accountability and public trust.
Stay Engaged and Informed
I encourage all Missourians to stay informed about these legislative efforts and others by visiting my official Senate webpage: Missouri Senate - Joe Nicola.
Here, you can find and track my entire list of bills, locate our contact information, request a resolution, and learn more about me.
My office is always open to constituents. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule a visit to the Capitol, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable as we work together to build a better Missouri.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.
Occasionally, I'll be sharing video explanations of positions or actions I have taken on certain bills, especially when they might be controversial or confusing.
There are two bills I'd like to share about today, SB 1 and SB 84. Last week, I stood on the floor and explained that I had an issue with SB 1 although I voted for the bill. This week, I voted no in committee and I also stood to speak on SB 84 due to my concerns. I hope these video explanations will help you understand my position and reasoning for the actions I took in both cases.
SB 1 - Relating to county officials
SB 84 - Tampering with an election official
I hope this information is valuable and helpful to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.
Last week was a busy and productive week for me here in the Missouri State Senate. I participated in numerous meetings, committee hearings, and even had my first experience debating bills on the Senate floor. While there was a lot of sickness circulating in the Senate, including myself, we pushed through and accomplished the business of the people. Here’s an update on my activities from last week.
Committee Work
Committee hearings are a big part of our schedule each week including the Families, Seniors & Health Committee, the Local Government, Elections & Pensions Committee, the Veterans & Military Affairs Committee and the Progress & Development Committee. These committees play a critical role in shaping legislation that directly impacts the lives of Missourians, and I’m proud to have contributed to the work being done.
Families, Seniors & Health Committee
On February 3rd, our Families, Seniors & Health Committee heard public testimony on two important bills: one focused on food labeling and the other on telehealth. These bills aim to improve transparency for consumers and ensure that healthcare services continue to meet the needs of all Missourians.
Additionally, the committee voted on a bill that would prohibit marriage under the age of 18. This bill is crucial for protecting young people in Missouri. Although I support parents and families rights to make decisions, marriage among minors contributes to trafficking and abuse. Missouri laws currently do not adequately protect children who marry as they are not allowed to file for divorce or sign any other contracts until they are an adult at age 18. I supported this bill to protect children.
Local Government Committee
In the Local Government Committee, we had a busy week as well. We heard testimony on a bill related to voter registration and passed four other bills (SB 10, SB 22, SB 50 & SB 84) concerning local government and elections. These measures will help ensure that the voting process remains fair and transparent, while also empowering local governments to better serve their communities.
SB 10, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough - Yes
Repealed the sunset dates on the authority for political subdivisions to construction manager-at-risk and design-build methods for certain construction projects.
SB 22 - Yes, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin
Changes provisions for ballot summaries in order to provide more clarity for voters and also to restrict courts from rewriting the summaries when they are struck down and instead returning them to be written by the legislature or Secretary of State.
SB 50 - Yes, sponsored by Sen. Rusty Black
Amended and expanded provisions for regional jails.
veterans & military affairs
In the Veterans committee last week, we heard testimony from the MAVO Chair and the President of Veterans Guardian. These are both organizations that work to assist veterans in accessing their benefits. It was a great learning experience. Even as a veteran myself, I was unaware of some of the things available to me. I'm thankful that our committee chair, Senator Mike Moon, has organized a couple of these very informative hearings. We also voted to pass SB 163, sponsored by Senator Adam Schnelting. This bill modifies income tax deductions for certain National Guard duties.
As always, I am committed to making sure the voices of Missourians are heard and that our democratic processes remain strong. It’s been an honor to participate in these discussions in the committee process.
My First Senate Floor Debates
Last week was also a significant milestone for me as I participated in my very first debates on the Senate floor. Debating bills is an important part of the legislative process, and I take this responsibility seriously. It was an opportunity for me to speak directly to my colleagues about the bills we’re working on and make my case on behalf of the people I represent.
For those of you who may not be familiar with the legislative process, when a bill comes up for debate that is called "perfecting" the bill. It is during this perfection process that amendments can be added or substitutes made. Once a bill has been debated or perfected and a perfection vote taken, the bill cannot be changed.
Generally, the perfection vote is a voice vote unless a roll call is requested and approved. During a voice vote, the senators say "Aye" or "No" to vote and the President calls the winning side.
My Voting Record
Throughout the week, I cast several votes, ranging from committee hearings to amendments, perfection votes, and third-read and pass (TRAP) votes on the floor. I’m committed to being as transparent as possible with my voting record, and I want to ensure that you, my constituents, understand the reasoning behind my decisions.
Below, you’ll find a detailed spreadsheet that outlines each vote I've taken. I encourage you to take a look at the document so you can see exactly how I voted and why. My staff will be updating the votes regularly so please check back and reach out if you have any questions. Every bill has its own story and often times that story cannot be told in a simple listing or chart.
Looking Ahead
While the first week of February has been a busy one, there’s much more work to be done. I remain dedicated to advancing the priorities of my district and working with my colleagues to pass legislation that will have a positive impact on Missouri families. I will continue to be a strong voice for my constituents and to push for policies that promote fairness, transparency, and the well-being of all Missourians.
I Welcome Your Feedback
As always, I value your input. I encourage you to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have regarding my work in the Senate. Transparency and open communication are very important to me, and I am always here to listen to what matters most to you.
Please take a moment to review the detailed voting record in the attached spreadsheet, and feel free to contact my office if you’d like to discuss any of the bills or issues I’m working on.
