With the beginning of a new year comes a new legislative session for the state of Missouri. The First Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly is set to begin at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Although work as a state senator continues year-round, our schedules become far busier during the legislative session. The majority of session (lasting until May 17), I will be at the Capitol in Jefferson City, considering legislation in committees and on the Senate floor. It’s an honor to serve you in our state capital — I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to make a positive difference for Missouri and represent our community at the heart of our state government. Before the legislative session begins, please allow me to share with you some helpful tools that you can use to stay up-to-date with actions at the Capitol.

If you go to the Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov, you can keep track of bills by visiting the “Legislation” tab at the top of the page. There, you can review a plethora of valuable information, including:

• A complete list of 2013 Senate bills (senators may file legislation for the 2013 legislative session until Feb. 28).
• A list of daily Senate actions toward measures.
• A topical index, which catalogs bills by specific topics, including “children and minors” and “cities, towns, and villages.”
• Bills that receive the final stamp of approval from the Missouri Legislature and are sent to the governor’s desk.
• An archive listing a variety of details from past sessions, dating back to 1995 (First Regular Session of the 88th General Assembly).

Another tab on the Missouri Senate website is the “Session Information” tab, which, among other topics, lists the major dates for the legislative session, a glossary of legislative terms, and information about how a bill becomes a law. I understand that the legislative process can be confusing, so I hope these resources can be of help to you when session is underway.
On the right-hand side of the website are links to live debate in the Missouri Senate and House chambers, a hearing schedule for legislative committees, and Senate and House journals that detail the respective chamber’s actions on a particular day.

You can also keep track of my work for the Missouri Senate by visiting my website at www.senate.mo.gov/rupp. There, you can review my sponsored legislation, the committees on which I serve, and media resources from press releases to audio interviews.

I appreciate your interest in your state government. The next time you read one of my legislative columns, it’ll be the week of session and the lively activity will begin in Jefferson City. If you have questions about the legislative session or about my sponsored legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office. Also, please feel free to visit me in Jefferson City. I’m always happy to meet with my neighbors in the community. Again, thank you for the opportunity to represent you in the Missouri Senate, and may God bless you always.