Missouri Senate

Missouri Senate
Name	Missouri Senate
Legislature	Missouri General Assembly
House type	Upper house
Body	Missouri
Term limits	Two terms (8 years)
New session	January 4, 2023
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Mike Kehoe (R)
Leader2 type	President pro tempore
Leader2	Caleb Rowden (R)
Leader3 type	Majority Leader
Leader3	Cindy O'Laughlin (R)
Leader4 type	Minority Leader
Leader4	John Rizzo (D)
Members	34
Political groups1	Majority (24), Republican (24), Minority (10), Democratic (10)
Voting system	First-past-the-post voting
Last election1	2022 Missouri Senate election
Next election1	2024 Missouri Senate election
Meeting place	Missouri State Senate Chamber, Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City, Missouri
Website	[https://www.senate.mo.gov/ senate.mo.gov]

Missouri Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly, the state legislature of Missouri. It consists of 34 members representing districts across the state, with each senator serving a four-year term. The body convenes at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri, sharing legislative authority with the Missouri House of Representatives. Its powers include confirming gubernatorial appointments, trying impeachments, and providing advice and consent on treaties.

History

The Missouri Senate was established upon Missouri's admission to the United States under the Missouri Constitution of 1820. Early sessions were dominated by debates over issues such as slavery and state banking. The body played a pivotal role during the American Civil War, with a pro-Confederate faction initially controlling the chamber before the Union government reasserted authority. Significant structural changes occurred with the adoption of the Missouri Constitution of 1875, which reorganized legislative districts. The modern era was shaped by the Missouri Constitution of 1945 and subsequent reforms, including the implementation of term limits via Constitutional Amendment 12 in 1992.

Membership and elections

Members of the Missouri Senate are elected from single-member districts apportioned by population following each United States Census. Elections are held in November, with staggered terms ensuring half the body is contested every two years. Candidates must be at least thirty years old, qualified Missouri voters for three years, and residents of their district for one year prior to election. The Missouri Secretary of State oversees election administration, while district boundaries are drawn by bipartisan apportionment commissions. Vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment, with the appointee serving until the next general election.

Powers and duties

The Missouri Senate holds several exclusive constitutional powers, including the authority to confirm appointments made by the Governor of Missouri to state offices, boards, and commissions. It acts as a court of impeachment for state officials, with a two-thirds vote required for conviction. The chamber must provide advice and consent on interstate compacts and has the sole power to ratify amendments to the Constitution of the United States. It shares general legislative powers with the Missouri House of Representatives, including passing bills, overriding gubernatorial vetoes, and approving the state budget proposed by the House Budget Committee.

Leadership and committees

The presiding officer is the Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, though this official may only vote to break a tie. Day-to-day leadership is exercised by the President pro tempore of the Missouri Senate, elected by the majority party. Other key leaders include the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader. The body operates through a system of standing committees, such as the Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, and the Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. These committees, chaired by members of the Republican majority, hold hearings, amend legislation, and determine which bills advance to the floor.

Current composition and session

Following the 2022 Missouri Senate election, the Republican Party holds a supermajority of 24 seats, while the Democratic Party holds 10. The current session, which began on January 4, 2023, is the 102nd Missouri General Assembly. Key legislation considered includes bills related to abortion restrictions, tax cuts, and education funding. The chamber operates under rules adopted at the session's start, with a legislative calendar set by the President pro tempore.

Capitol and facilities

The Missouri Senate convenes in its chamber on the third floor of the Missouri State Capitol, a building designed by architects Tracy and Swartwout and completed in 1917. The Senate chamber is notable for its Missouri red granite columns, stained glass ceiling, and murals depicting state history. Senators have offices in the adjacent State Capitol Building and the Senate Building. The complex is managed by the Missouri Department of Public Safety and includes hearing rooms, the Senate Lounge, and the Capitol Rotunda.

Category:Missouri Senate Category:State upper houses in the United States