The First Regular Session of the 98th Missouri General Assembly was officially called to order at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The Honorable Mary R. Russell, Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, administered the oath of office to six newly elected and 11 re-elected senators. I look forward to working with the new and returning colleagues in the months ahead. There is much we can accomplish together.

The first day of session included the first reading of all pre-filed and introduced Senate bills. Those bills will now be placed on the calendar for second reading and assignment to committee by the President Pro Tem.

A few of the top priorities for the 2015 legislative session, include addressing Missouri’s education policies, ethics reform and greater transparency in our state government, and addressing the healthcare needs of Missouri’s citizens. Already for this session, I have filed six pieces of legislation, including:

• Senate Bill 1 – Deals with school transfers for students living in unaccredited school districts;
• Senate Bill 2 – Establishes contribution limits for state representatives and senators, and statewide candidates;
• Senate Bill 3 – Expands the ban on texting while driving;
• Senate Bill 145 – Requires health benefit plans to cover diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders;
• Senate Bill 146 – Modifies provisions of law relating to licensing and certification for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; and
• Senate Bill 207 – Gives a benefit to those graduating with a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degree from a Missouri Innovation Campus.

In a previous column, I wrote about civic engagement and responsibility. Over the next five months, I will be working hard to address complex issues and find real and practical solutions for the problems facing the 21st District. I sincerely hope you will take some time during the coming months to practice the type of civic engagement and responsibility that is so crucial to the legislative process by reaching out to my staff and me with your thoughts and ideas, or by visiting my office here in Jefferson City.