It is now only a matter of weeks before the next legislative session starts in Jefferson City. Before I return to the State Capitol, I will learn what legislative proposals will be assigned bill numbers for the 2020 session. This is also a good way to learn what issues will be at the forefront next year. Prefiling started on Dec. 2 this year. It is usually on Dec. 1; but, since that fell on a Sunday this year, the date was moved to the following day.
Numbering bills relies on seniority. Now that term limits have been in effect for a number of years, a person’s time in the Missouri Senate may be the same as any number of other senators. To settle this, we take into account how much time someone spent in the Missouri House of Representatives before getting elected to the upper chamber.
Typically, the legislation that is prefiled has either already been vetted, but was unsuccessful the previous year. Most lawmakers sponsor bills that are designed to make improvements to education or economic development proposals. These are items that benefit all Missourians. We all want to see as many people employed in our state as possible, and make sure all of our residents have the best possible education they can.
I plan to introduce bills that not only improve life for everybody in northwest Missouri, but throughout the Show-Me State. I will be detailing these measures throughout the remainder of the month.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.