Committees Important Part of
Legislative Process

After new and returning Senators have been sworn in, and the President Pro Tem makes his opening remarks, there is a short, but anxious wait to hear the committee assignments as made by Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles.

I am honored to have been named the chairman of the Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee, vice-chair of Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee; a member of  the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy & the Environment Committee;  and Veterans' Affairs and Health Committee.

The committee process is vital to ensuring a measure is heard by the General Assembly, though it is one that post people are unaware of, or simply do not know the full impact the committee has on the life of a bill.

Once a bill has been filed (in either the Senate or the House) and has been read twice (second read) before the members of that body, the bill is then assigned to a committee. Committee meetings often include a time for public comment and feedback about the proposed legislation. Many times committees will discuss legislation more than once, until the members are satisfied with any changes they wish to see in the bill. The group then votes to send it back to their respective body, or reject the measure.

If the bill is rejected, it is considered “killed,” and no more action can be taken on it.

Should it be voted to be sent back to its originating body, it will then move to the calendar to be heard on the floor and debated. Once approved by that body, the bill will go onto the other chamber and go through the same process there.

I look forward to working with my fellow lawmakers during the committee process. Being a chairman and vice-chairman will allow me more of a hands on role in shaping varying kinds of legislation, that I am sure will have a positive impact on every Missourian.