The month of March marks the halfway point of the legislative session.

The annual Spring Break is scheduled for March 13–17, each chamber begins to deliberate on legislation approved by the other and the last day to introduce new bills was March 1.

I took advantage of this deadline and added two proposals to my sponsored list of bills, Senate Bill 712 and Senate Bill 680. The first measure regulates local ordinances relating to businesses and workers, and SB 680 prohibits state institutions of higher education from requiring employees to take Diversity, Equity and Inclusion loyalty oaths as part of their employment application.

Another important bill I filed this session is Senate Bill 411, which would let homeschooled students participate in athletics at their local public schools. Parents who decide to educate their children in the home still pay the same property taxes and adhere to the same educational standards as parents who send their children to public schools. It stands to reason that all Missouri children deserve access to the same resources and opportunities, regardless of where they receive their instruction.

I’m looking forward to presenting this bill to the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee on March 7.

Missouri FCCLA Legislative Shadowing

Each year, the Missouri Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) hosts a legislative shadowing day for students interested in public policy. On March 1, I was honored to introduce two students from our community to my colleagues in the Senate chamber. Marissa Gehlert, a student from Linn High School, and Maya Libbert, a Fatima High School student, were at the Capitol to advocate for FCCLA and shadow me through my daily legislative activities.

It is an honor serving those who call the 26th Senatorial District home. 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.