Many lawmakers in the Missouri Senate began last week with committee hearings, in which legislation is debated and considered by panel members. Senators were appointed to their respective committees by the leader of the Senate at the beginning of the 2013 legislative session. Without committee hearings, legislation could not be taken up by the upper chamber for possible debate. So far, more than 200 Senate bills have been introduced in the upper chamber. Panel members have a tremendous responsibility to the state of Missouri to give the green light to good policy that will not overcomplicate the lives of Missourians and allow families to thrive in our state.

For the 97th General Assembly, I was proud to be appointed as chair of the General Laws Committee, which takes up all bills related to a general topic. I was also appointed to several other legislative committees, including:

• The Education Committee, which reports on legislation pertaining to public schools, including elementary and secondary education and higher education;
• The Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee, which considers rules for the government of the Senate, reviews matters relating to ethics and the conduct of public officials and employees, and examines all bills passed by the General Assembly, among other related items; and
• The Veterans’ Affairs and Health Committee, which takes up measures relating to the well-being of Missouri veterans, as well as the state’s
  MO HealthNet medical services plan for certain eligible citizens.

When a measure is introduced in committee, the bill is presented by its sponsor, and both proponents and opponents have the opportunity to make their voices heard regarding the bill. When hearings are concluded, the committee meets to vote and makes its recommendations. The committee may take a number of actions: recommend the bill move to the full Senate for debate; recommend passage with committee amendments, which are attached to the bill; return the bill without recommendation; substitute in lieu of the original bill a new bill to be known as a committee substitute; recommend the bill not be considered by the full Senate; or make no report at all.

In my appointed committees, I look forward to working toward the goal of making Missouri an even better place for us to raise our families and earn a living. My hope and prayer is for a productive legislative session, and I will do my part to endorse good policy for our state. If you have any questions about committee work, don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office. Thank you and God bless.