
Capitol Report: Jan. 17, 2019
This week the General Assembly began full business. On Tuesday we adopted the House operating rules for 2019. Additionally, committee assignments were handed out and several bills were filed. Finally, the governor gave his State of the State address on Wednesday. I have all of these topics in this week’s report.
House Speaker Haahr Assigns Committees
This week House Speaker Haahr handed out committee assignments. I am very pleased with my lineup and thank the Speaker for making chair of the Committee on Higher Education. I will do my best to make higher education in our state the best in the nation, if not the world. All of my assignments follow:
· Higher Education, Chair
· Veterans
· Procedures and Consent
The Procedures and Consent Committee has already held one meeting last week to hear the House rules and procedures for the 100th General Assembly. This turned into a somewhat lively debate with several amendments filed and heard. Some of the amendments from committee, and some new amendments were also presented on the floor. In the end, two were adopted, and HR 7 passed. Part of the resolution contains our committee structure. If you would like to read our rules, you may find the resolution on the House webpage https://www.house.mo.gov/.
House Bills Filed
This week I filed several bills, some were refiled from last year, and some are new. Here is a list of the bills I have officially filed:
· HCR 16 – Urges Congress to recognize World War II Ghost Army (refiled from 2018)
· HB 573 – Title IX proceedings requirements
· HB574 – Companion to HB 573
· HB 575- Authorizes Campus Protection Officers (refiled from 2018)
· HB 576 – Campus Free Expression
· HB 577 – National Motto displays in schools
I have some other bills of interest which I have not yet filed, but I will keep you informed. I will give more detail on these bills in later Capitol Reports.
Governor Addresses General Assembly
Wednesday afternoon Gov. Parson delivered his State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly. In his speech, Parson outlined priorities that include key investments in workforce development, new investments to support and improve the state’s infrastructure, improving access to health and mental health care, and downsizing government by consolidating two correctional centers. He told lawmakers, “I stand before you today to share a vision - a vision that will chart Missouri’s future into the next decade. Missouri is dear to my heart, and by working together, we can protect and build a Missouri that is successful for the next generation.”
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