Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of May 16, 2022
American Rescue Plan Act Website Launched
On May 16, the governor announced the launch of a public website to help guide access to Missouri’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The website, moarpa.mo.gov, enables visitors to learn about how ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds are being spent in Missouri. The website will also provide information on how Missouri organizations, nonprofits, municipalities, businesses, communities and other entities can apply for the state’s ARPA funds.
There are certain categories of allowable spending under federal regulations for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The eligible categories of spending include projects or programs that support public health expenditures; address negative economic impacts caused by COVID-19; replace lost public sector revenue; or invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.
While some funding has been appropriated for fiscal year 2022, the Missouri General Assembly truly agreed upon and finally passed House Bill 3020 on May 6, 2022, which allocates a majority of Missouri’s State Fiscal Recovery Funds for specific purposes. The governor has until July 1, 2022, to take action on the bill. Once the budget is finalized and implementation of the funding begins, additional information will be added and maintained on the website. Until that time, the information on the website will be somewhat limited.
As of May 16, the only grant programs accepting applications are the water, wastewater, stormwater, and lead service line inventory grant programs. The remaining grant programs will begin accepting applications after July 1 and into the fall.
Per federal law, all ARPA funded programs and grants must be allocated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.
To view the state’s new website for ARPA funding information and opportunities, please visit moarpa.mo.gov.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Special License Plate
During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 189, which I was proud to sponsor. This legislation creates a special license plate for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Anyone interested in supporting this Kansas City gem can apply for the license plate by following these steps:
- Make a $10 donation to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
- Donations can be made directly to the museum or by sending the museum a check upon submitting your application. Be sure to get a receipt for your contribution.
- Complete the 1716 form to apply for the specialty license plate. This form can be found at mo.gov/motor-vehicle/plates/personalized-specialty.html.
- When completing the form, select “other” and fill in that you are applying for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum plate.
- Send your application, along with your $10 museum donation (or the receipt for your donation), and your $15 standard plate application fee to the museum at 1616 E. 18th St., KCMO 64108.
As of April 9, 2021, anyone age 5 and up is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Please contact your local pharmacy or health care provider for information on how best to receive one of the available vaccines. For more information about the vaccine in Missouri, please visit covidvaccine.mo.gov.
University Health is now providing Pfizer, Moderna and J & J booster shots for COVID-19. The CDC approved a booster shot for any adult who received their first two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or for any adult who received a single dose of the J & J vaccine at least two months ago. If you are eligible, you can schedule an appointment by calling 816-404-CARE or walk in to University Health (2211 Charlotte St., KCMO 64108) or University Health Lakewood Medical Center (7900 Lee’s Summit Road, KCMO 64139). The COVID-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5-12 at these two locations as well. Patients may make an appointment with their child’s provider at the Med/Ped’s clinic at UHTMC or the Family Medicine Clinic at UHLMC. Additional vaccine information, including free transportation info, is available at www.universityhealthkc.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine/.
The Jackson County Health Department also has numerous vaccine and testing clinics available. For more information, please visit jacohd.org.
The Center for COVID Recovery is open to treat patients who experience long-term effects from the virus. For more information, visit universityhealthkc.org/covid-19/center-for-covid-recovery; please share this information with anyone who continues to struggle after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Thank you for your vote of confidence to serve the people of the 9th District in the Missouri Senate. In an effort to keep you up-to-date with my legislation or other proposed measures, please feel free to visit my website at senate.mo.gov/Washington. I appreciate your active interest in your community and encourage your participation in the legislative process. Should you need assistance with state matters, please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-3158.
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2022
| Bill Number | Description | Status |
| Senate Bill 717 | Authorizes a tax credit for urban farms located in a food desert | Voted Do Pass by Senate Economic Development Committee |
| Senate Bill 718 | Designates the third week of September as “Historically Black College and University Week” in Missouri | Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed |
| Senate Bill 719 | Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of certain homes | Second Read and Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| Senate Bill 793 | Creates provisions relating to expungement for certain marijuana offenses | Second Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 794 | Modifies provisions relating to medical marijuana program participants in family court matters | Voted Do Pass by Senate Seniors, Families, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee |
| Senate Bill 795 | Modifies provisions relating to law enforcement officer use of force | Second Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 854 | Modifies provisions relating to reporting requirements of law enforcement agencies | Second Read and Referred to Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee |
| Senate Bill 855 | Establishes the “Cronkite New Voices Act” to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media | Second Read and Referred to Senate Education Committee |
| Senate Bill 856 | Modifies provisions relating to the expungement of records | Second Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 896 | Modifies provisions relating to probation and parole for certain offenders | Second Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 897 | Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products | Second Read and Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| Senate Bill 898 | Allows a museum property tax levy to be used for certain museums | Second Read and Referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee |
| Senate Bill 994 | Creates new provisions prohibiting discrimination based on hairstyles | Formal Calendar for Senate Bills for Perfection |
| Senate Bill 995 | Modifies provisions relating to parole eligibility | Second Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 1094 | Modifies provisions relating to wrongful convictions | Voted Do Pass by Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 1130 | Modifies provisions relating to earned compliance credits for probation | Voted Do Pass by Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 1145 | Establishes the third full week in September as “Sickle Cell Awareness Week” in Missouri | Voted Do Pass by Senate Progress and Development Committee |
| Senate Bill 1146 | Modifies provisions relating to organ donation | Voted Do Pass by Senate Progress and Development Committee |
| Senate Bill 1147 | Requires the MO HealthNet Division to conduct an annual review of services available for enrollees with sickle cell disease | Voted Do Pass by Senate Health and Pensions Committee |
| Senate Bill 1172 | Modifies provisions relating to sales tax revenues for certain transportation authorities | Second Read and Referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee |
| Senate Bill 1193 | Modifies provisions relating to electric vehicle tax credits | Second Read and Referred to Senate Economic Development Committee |
| Senate Bill 1194 | Modifies provisions relating to voter registration | Second Read and Referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee |
| Senate Bill 1195 | Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Second Read and Referred to Senate Education Committee |
| Senate Bill 1196 | Modifies provisions relating to a tax credit for providing services to homeless persons | Second Read and Referred to Senate Economic Development Committee |
| Senate Bill 1205 | Modifies provisions relating to the certification of juveniles for trial as an adult | Second Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Bill 1230 | Modifies provisions relating to expungement of criminal records | Second Read and Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee |
| Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 | Establishes the third full week in September as “Sickle Cell Awareness Week” | Voted Do Pass by House Rules – Administrative Oversight Committee |
| Senate Joint Resolution 42 | Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties | Second Read and Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee |
| Senate Joint Resolution 43 | Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties | Second Read and Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee |
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