Missouri General Assembly

Missouri General Assembly. The Missouri General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Missouri and is housed within the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. It is a bicameral body, consisting of the lower Missouri House of Representatives and the upper Missouri Senate. The assembly is responsible for creating the laws of the state, appropriating funds, and providing oversight of the executive branch.

History

The first General Assembly convened in St. Louis in 1820 following the passage of the Missouri Compromise and the admission of Missouri to the Union in 1821. Early sessions were held in various locations, including St. Charles, before the permanent capital was established in Jefferson City. The assembly operated under the original state constitution of 1820 until it was replaced by the Constitution of 1875, which was drafted during the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War. The current governing document, the Constitution of 1945, reorganized the legislative branch and established many modern procedures. Key historical figures involved with the assembly include early senators like Thomas Hart Benton and governors such as Champ Clark.

Structure and composition

The General Assembly is composed of two chambers: the 34-member Missouri Senate and the 163-member Missouri House of Representatives. Senators are elected to four-year terms, with half of the seats contested every two years, while Representatives serve two-year terms. Elections are held in even-numbered years, with districts drawn based on the federal United States Census. The Republican Party currently holds supermajorities in both chambers. Leadership includes the President of the Missouri Senate, a position held by Caleb Rowden, and the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, held by Dean Plocher. Other key officers include the President Pro Tem and the Majority Leader in each chamber.

Legislative process

To become law, a bill must pass both chambers in identical form and be signed by the Governor of Missouri. Bills can be introduced in either the Missouri Senate or the Missouri House of Representatives, except for revenue bills which must originate in the House. Legislation is typically referred to standing committees like the Senate Appropriations Committee or the House Budget Committee for review. The assembly can override a gubernatorial veto with a two-thirds vote in each chamber. The process is governed by rules set by each body and the Missouri Constitution, with the Missouri Supreme Court serving as the final arbiter on constitutional questions. The Office of Administration provides technical and clerical support.

Powers and duties

The assembly's primary power is the enactment of the Missouri Revised Statutes. It holds the "power of the purse," crafting the state budget through bills handled by the Joint Committee on Legislative Research. It has the authority to impeach and try state officials, including judges of the Missouri Court of Appeals. The Senate provides "advice and consent" on gubernatorial appointments to agencies like the Missouri Department of Transportation and boards of public universities such as the University of Missouri System. It can propose amendments to the Missouri Constitution, which then go to a vote of the people. Other duties include congressional redistricting and oversight of executive departments like the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Current session and leadership

The First Regular Session of the 102nd General Assembly convened in January 2023. The President of the Missouri Senate is Senator Caleb Rowden of Columbia, and the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives is Representative Dean Plocher of St. Louis County. The Majority Leader in the Senate is Cindy O'Laughlin, while the House Majority Leader is Jonathan Patterson. Key legislative priorities for the session have included tax policy, education funding for DESE, and regulations concerning natural resources. The assembly meets annually, with the regular session constitutionally mandated to adjourn by May 30.

Category:Missouri General Assembly Category:State legislatures of the United States