Senator Mike Bernskoetter's Legislative Column for Jan. 5, 2024
Friday, January 5, 2024
Senator Mike Bernskoetter For Immediate Release: |
| Capitol Building, Room 416 Contact Matt Morris: |
General Assembly Gaveled into Session for 2024 With a new year comes new opportunities, new goals and, hopefully, new accomplishments. The same is true for the General Assembly as we begin a new legislative session.Session officially started on Wednesday, Jan. 3, bringing Missouri’s elected lawmakers back to the Capitol. This is the Second Regular Session of the 102nd General Assembly, so there are no new senators this year and our committee assignments remain the same. I am proud to once again chair the Committee on General Laws. I will also continue to serve as vice chair of the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee and as a member of three other committees: the Committee on Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources; the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment; and the Committee on Administration. Nearly 600 bills were first read this week, starting their legislative journey. Next, they will be assigned to the appropriate committee and heard in hearings where experts, organizations and the general public who are impacted by the proposed law changes can speak for or against the bill. This will be the bulk of legislative activity over the next several weeks before bills are perfected, voted on and sent to the other side of the building to go through the same process in the House of Representatives. There is no shortage of work ahead, and there are likely to be many late nights and spirited debate on the wide range of issues that are important to Missourians. I look forward to working for you and getting my priority legislation to the governor’s desk. Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter. | ||