The 2023 Legislative Session Begins

Every two years, a new General Assembly of the State of Missouri gets underway at the Capitol in Jefferson City. On Jan. 4, I took the oath of office as your new state senator, having been elected in November to a four-year term representing Missouri’s 10th Senatorial District. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a small business owner, husband and father. For the past eight years, I’ve represented portions of Callaway and Cole counties in the House of Representatives. Elected to the state Senate, I now serve residents of Callaway, Lincoln, Montgomery and Pike counties, as well as the northwest portion of St. Charles County.

During the second week of the 2023 legislative session, senators received committee assignments. I am proud to announce I was named chairman of the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. Our governor has made infrastructure development one of his highest priorities and many of the ideas for improving Missouri’s roads and bridges will pass through the Senate Transportation Committee. New this year, the Transportation Committee also has responsibility for legislation impacting law enforcement and public safety. I’m excited about helping to guide public safety legislation, and I’ll work tirelessly to support our brave first responders and protect our communities.

In addition to chairing the Transportation Committee, I was named vice chair of the Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. I will also serve on the Senate’s Economic Development and Tax Policy Committee and the Fiscal Oversight Committee.

Much of the first two weeks of session was devoted to getting settled in our offices and other routine tasks, but some work has already begun. This week, the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee began considering nominees for various state boards and commissions. I was honored to present a resident of the 10th Senatorial District for confirmation. The governor appointed former State Rep. Kathie Conway of Wentzville to serve on the Missouri Ethics Commission in May 2022 and she’s been serving since October. Her confirmation by the Senate this week makes her appointment official. I look forward to opportunities to present more constituents to important state leadership positions in the future.

This is the first of what I expect will be many regular updates from my office during the legislative session. You can also read the full text of bills and track the progress of pending legislation at senate.mo.gov. If you live in the 10th Senatorial District, my staff and I are eager to assist you with any concerns you have about state government. Please don’t hesitate to email or call. If you’re ever in the Capital City, come by and say hello. My office is located in room 417 of the Capitol building. We would love to hear what’s on your mind and show you around the building.

Senator Travis Fitzwater serves residents of Callaway, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pike and a portion of St. Charles counties in the Missouri State Senate. For more information about Sen. Fitzwater, visit senate.mo.gov/Fitzwater.