Missouri State Senate

Missouri State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	January 7, 2026
Session end:	May 15, 2026
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	2 terms (8 years)
Redistricting:	Commission
Salary:	$41,770/year + per diem
Members
Total:	34
Democrats:	10
Republicans:	24
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	David Wasinger (R)
Maj. Leader:	Tony Luetkemeyer (R)
Min. Leader:	Doug Beck (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. Alongside the Missouri House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Missouri state government and works alongside the governor of Missouri to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Missouri State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Missouri State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Seventeen of the state Senate's 34 seats are up for election in 2026.

Seventeen of the state Senate's 34 seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Republican majority remained 24-10.

Missouri has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Missouri State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control[edit]

Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Missouri State Senate as of January 2026:

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate.^[1]

Leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: David Wasinger (R)
• President Pro Tem: Cindy O'Laughlin (R)
• Majority leader: Tony Luetkemeyer (R)
• Minority leader: Doug Beck (D)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2025[2]
Salary	Per diem
$41,770/year	$142.40/day

Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Missouri legislators assume office the first day of the legislative session, which is the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January.^[3][4]

Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the Missouri State Senate, a candidate must meet the following qualifications:^[5]

“

Citizen of the United States Resident of the state 1 year next preceding election ... At least 30 years of age Qualified Missouri voter for 3 years before election Resident of the district which he is chosen to represent for 1 year before election ... Is not delinquent in the payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, real property taxes on the place of residence as stated in the declaration of candidacy Is not a past or present corporate officer of any fee office that owes any taxes to the state Has not been found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony under the federal laws of the United States of America Has not been found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony under the laws of this state or an offense committed in another state that would be considered a felony in this state ... In addition to any other penalties provided by law, no person may file for any office in a subsequent election until he or the treasurer of his existing candidate committee has filed all required campaign disclosure reports for all prior elections[6]

”

Historical party control[edit]

Republicans won control of the Missouri State Senate in 2002. In 2024, they won a 24-10 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Missouri Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Missouri State Senate election results: 1992-2024

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	20[7]	19	19	18	17*	14	11	13	11	8	10	9	9	10	10	10	10
Republicans	13	15	15	16	17	20	23	21	23	26	24	25	25	24	24	24	24
Other	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

*Since no party had majority control, leadership of the chamber was split between the two parties.

Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Missouri was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1993-2000,
• Republican trifecta: 2005-2008, 2017-2023
• Divided government: 1992, 2001-2004, 2009-2016

Missouri Party Control: 1992-2025
Eight years of Democratic trifectas  •  Thirteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Missouri state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Missouri holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026[edit]

See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Missouri State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024[edit]

See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Missouri State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 6, 2024. The filing deadline was March 26, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Republicans maintained their 24-10 majority.

Missouri State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	7	10
	Republican Party	23	24
	Vacancy	4	0
Total		34	34

2022[edit]

See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Missouri State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was March 29, 2022.

Heading into the 2022 elections, Republicans held a 24-10 majority in the Missouri State Senate. There were no changes in partisan control and Republicans maintained their 24-10 majority.

Missouri State Senate
Party		As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	10	10
	Republican Party	24	24
Total		34	34

2020[edit]

See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was March 31, 2020.

Heading into the 2020 elections, Republicans held a 23-8 majority in the Missouri State Senate with three vacancies. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 24-10 majority.

Missouri State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	8	10
	Republican Party	23	24
	Vacancy	3	0
Total		34	34

2018[edit]

See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Missouri State Senate took place in 2018. The open primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2018.^[8]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Missouri State Senate from 23-10 to 24-10.

Missouri State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	10	10
	Republican Party	23	24
	Vacancy	1	0
Total		34	34

2016[edit]

See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Missouri State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016. A total of 18 seats out of the 34 seats in the Missouri State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 24-7 majority with three vacancies. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 25-9 majority.

Missouri State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	7	9
	Republican Party	24	25
	Vacancy	3	0
Total		34	34

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the Missouri State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, followed by a general election on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 25, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 23-9 majority with two vacancies. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 25-9 majority. Missouri State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 9 9      Republican Party 23 25      Vacancy 2 0 Total 34 34 2012[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 7, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 27, 2012. A total of 17 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-8 majority. Republicans lost two seats in the election, giving them a 24-10 majority. Missouri State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 8 10      Republican Party 26 24 Total 34 34 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Missouri State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 1 Scott Sifton 1.8% 89,744 Jim Lembke District 17 Ryan Silvey 5.6% 80,488 Sandra Reeves District 3 Gary Romine 7.7% 65,719 Joseph Fallert, Jr. District 25 Doug Libla 12.3% 63,670 Terry Swinger District 19 Kurt Schaefer 15.8% 81,283 Mary Wynne Still District 31 Ed Emery 27.6% 78,368 Charles Burton District 21 David Pearce 34.9% 72,914 ElGene Ver Dught District 13 Gina Walsh 63.3% 82,958 Jacquelyn Thomas During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $14,925,692. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2012 Donors, Missouri State Senate Donor Amount Missouri Republican State Senate Campaign Committee $645,706 Missouri Club For Growth $371,665 Missouri Republican Party $286,165 Humphreys, David Craig $240,000 Missouri Democratic Party $188,824 Missouri Hospital Association $180,660 Ameren $180,002 Noranda Aluminum $157,000 Sinquefield, Rex A. $155,001 Dempsey For Senate $154,125 2010[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 3, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 23-11 majority. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 26-8 majority. Missouri State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 11 8      Republican Party 23 26 Total 34 34 In 2010, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $12,861,549 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[10] 2010 Donors, Missouri State Senate Donor Amount Majority Fund, Inc. $707,500 Missouri Democratic Party $581,925 Missouri Republican Party $385,311 Citizens for Brad Lager $347,000 Humphreys, David Craig $277,500 Lamping, John T. $180,003 Engler for Missouri $171,383 Herzog, Stanley M. $160,500 Missouri Health & Hospital Association $153,650 Missouri Club for Growth $144,000 2008[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 5, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. A total of 17 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $9,291,012. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2008 Donors, Missouri State Senate Donor Amount Missouri Senate Republicans $348,200 Missouri Democratic Party $97,654 Humphreys, David Craig $95,675 Missouri Healthcare Association $85,917 Democratic Senatorial Committee Of Missouri $77,625 Missouri Bankers Association $68,175 3rd Republican Senatorial District Committee $63,863 Missouri Hospital Association $63,125 Citizens For Shields $62,150 Elect Nodler Committee $59,700 2006[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. A total of 17 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $8,555,192. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2006 Donors, Missouri State Senate Donor Amount Holzknecht, Michael D $231,910 Flaherty, Mike $120,950 Henke, Wayne J. $101,167 Missouri Bankers Association $92,550 23rd Republican Senatorial District Committee $56,600 31st Republican Senatorial District Committee $50,450 Ministers Benefit Association $50,000 Missouri Hospital Association $45,825 14th Republican Legislative District Committeee $45,000 Missouri Democratic Party $41,441 2004[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 3, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. A total of 17 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,925,632. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2004 Donors, Missouri State Senate Donor Amount Missouri Bankers Association $111,955 Stouffer, Bill $65,256 Missouri Association Of Trial Attorneys $56,614 34th Republican Senatorial District Committee $52,925 4th Democratic Senatorial District Committee $40,400 Mays, Carol Jean $33,695 Missouri Healthcare Association $32,200 6th Republican Congressional District Committee $30,875 Kolkmeyer, Glen $30,487 90th Democratic Legislative District Committee $25,850 2002[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 6, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. A total of 17 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,170,638. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2002 Donors, Missouri State Senate Donor Amount Rizzo, Henry $110,000 Missouri Republican Party $107,355 Democratic Senatorial Cmte Of Missouri $99,000 Missouri Bankers Association $94,425 Gaskill, Sam $67,098 Missouri Healthcare Association $51,850 7th Republican Congressional District Cmte $42,857 Missouri Association Of Trial Attorneys $39,325 Missouri Democratic Party $35,000 Clemens, Dan $32,465 2000[edit] See also: Missouri State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Missouri State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. A total of 17 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,329,564. The top 10 contributors were:[15] 2000 Donors, Missouri State Senate Donor Amount Missouri Democratic Party $297,815 Missouri Republican Party $269,400 Ichord, Clara R. $238,000 Howard, Jerry T. $64,865 Missouri Bankers Association $42,425 Anheuser-Busch $36,586 Gibbons For Congress $33,203 8th Congressional District Republican Committee $29,500 Missouri Association Of Trial Attorneys $29,050 Russell, John T. $25,000

Term limits[edit]

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Missouri legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Missouri Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Missouri senators are subject to term limits of no more than two four-year terms, or a total of eight years.^[16]

The first year that the 1992 term limits impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2002.

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Missouri General Assembly, the governor of Missouri must call for a special election without delay. The election mandate is sent to the county or counties in the legislative district.^[17]

See sources: Missouri Cons. Art. III, §14 and Missouri Rev. Stat. tit. III Ch. 21 §110

District map[edit]

See also: Missouri state legislative districts

The state of Missouri has 197 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 34 districts and the state House has 163 districts.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Missouri

In Missouri, congressional district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.^[18]

In 2018, the voters passed a citizens’ initiative called Amendment 1 that reshaped the redistricting process; in 2020, the voters narrowly passed a legislatively referred initiative called Amendment 3 that reshaped the process again.

Two distinct politician commissions are ultimately responsible for state legislative redistricting, one for the Missouri State Senate and another for the Missouri House of Representatives. Membership on these commissions is determined as follows:^[18]

“

Missouri’s congressional districts are drawn by the state legislature, as a regular statute, subject to gubernatorial veto. The state legislative lines are drawn by two separate politician commissions — one for state Senate districts, one for state House districts. For each commission, each major party’s congressional district committee nominates 2 members per congressional district, and the state committee nominates 5 members; the Governor chooses 1 per district per party and two per party from the statewide lists, for a total commission of 20.[6]

”

2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Missouri after the 2020 census

Missouri completed its legislative redistricting on March 15, 2022, when the state’s Judicial Redistricting Commission filed new state Senate district boundaries with the secretary of state.^[19] Missouri was the 43rd state to complete legislative redistricting. The House Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission unanimously approved the state House’s district boundaries on Jan. 21.^[20] These maps took effect for Missouri’s 2022 legislative elections.

The Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission failed to submit proposed maps to the secretary of state's office by the December 23, 2021, deadline. Therefore, responsibility for developing Senate district boundaries was assumed by the Missouri Judicial Commission for Redistricting.^[21] The judicial commission released their final plan and sent it to the secretary of state's office on March 15, 2022. The commission’s chair, Missouri Appeals Court Justice Cynthia Lynette Martin, said in a press release, "The Judicial Redistricting Commission’s work has been thorough and labor intensive, and was purposefully undertaken with the goal to file a constitutionally compliant plan and map well in advance of the commission’s constitutional deadline to avoid disenfranchising voters given the candidate filing deadline and the deadline for preparing ballots."^[22] Scott Faughn of The Missouri Times wrote that "The biggest difference in this map and that previous map is that it shifts the weight of some of the districts from rural weighted districts to evenly split districts and even enhances the suburban influence inside several republican seats." He added, "the new map produces 7 solid democratic districts, and 3 likely democratic districts. On the republican side the new map produces 18 solid republican districts, and 3 more likely republican districts," with two competitive districts when the current incumbents no longer seek office.^[23]

The House Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission unanimously approved new state House district boundaries on January 19, 2022. Fourteen of the commission's 20 members were required to approve the plan. If the commission was unable to agree on a redistricting plan by January 23, 2022, authority over the process would have transferred to the Missouri Judicial Commission for Redistricting.^[24] In a press release issued after the map was finalized, commission chair Jerry Hunter said, "I want to personally thank all of the commissioners for the hard work that was put in by the commissioners and, obviously, as all of you know, the supporting individuals that have been instrumental to helping get this map done on both sides – on both the Democratic and Republican sides."^[25] Rudi Keller of the Missouri Independent wrote, "Of the 163 districts..., there are 38 where Democrats should have the advantage, 97 where Republicans are dominant and 28 districts with past election results showing less than a 10% advantage for either party."^[24]

2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Missouri after the 2010 census

Missouri received its local census data on February 24, 2011. The state's population increased by seven percent, with most growth coming in the southern half of the state. The five most populous cities showed mixed outcomes: Kansas City's population grew by 4.1 percent, St. Louis' population decreased by 8.3 percent, Springfield's population grew by 5.2 percent, Independence's population grew by 3.1 percent, and Columbia's population grew by 28.4 percent.^[26]

The House and Senate bi-partisan redistricting commissions failed to agree on a new plan for Missouri's legislative districts, and the deadline for selecting a plan passed on August 18, 2011, resulting in a special court panel taking over.^[27] On October 13, 2011, the judicial panel tasked with redrawing Missouri’s legislative districts heard public testimony, and the panel finalized the state's new legislative redistricting maps on November 30, 2011.^[28][29] The Missouri Supreme Court overturned the state's Senate redistricting maps on January 17, 2012, and on January 31, 2012, Governor Jay Nixon (D) appointed a new commission for the sake of redrawing the Senate districts.^[30][31] The commission approved a new plan on February 23, 2012, which was met with opposition and had a lawsuit filed against it. After hearing testimony and tweaking the map, the commission approved the map again on March 12, and the lawsuit was dropped.^[32]

Sessions[edit]

Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Missouri State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Missouri by year[edit]

2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2025, and adjourn on May 15, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024[edit] See also: 2024 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2024, and adjourn on May 17, 2024. 2023[edit] See also: 2023 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2023, and adjourn on May 12, 2023. 2022[edit] See also: 2022 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2022, and adjourn on May 13, 2022. 2021[edit] See also: 2021 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021, and adjourn on May 14, 2021. 2020[edit] See also: 2020 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on May 15, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit] See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Missouri State Legislature suspended Senate activity effective March 12, 2020. Both chambers reconvened April 7, 2020, through April 8, 2020, before suspending activity again. The legislature adjourned on May 15, 2020.[33][34][35][36][37] 2019[edit] See also: 2019 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through May 30, 2019. 2018[edit] See also: 2018 Missouri legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through May 18, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2017, through May 12, 2017. The legislature held its first special session from May 22, 2017 to May 26, 2017. The legislature held its second special session from June 12, 2017, to July 25, 2017. The legislature held a special session on September 13. 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 6 through May 13. The Missouri General Assembly convened a one-day veto session on September 14, 2016, to override Gov. Jay Nixon's (D) 23 vetoes from the previous session. Altogether, the Republican-backed legislature overturned 13 of Nixon’s vetoes. Two of the most contentious veto overrides involved voter ID and concealed weapons permits. The House voted 115-41 and the Senate voted 24-7 to override a bill that would require Missouri voters to show government issued photo ID before they vote.[38] The legislature also overturned a veto that eliminated training and permit requirements to carry a concealed weapon. The Senate voted to override the governor’s veto in a 24-6 vote and House voted 112-41.[39] Gov. Nixon is the most overridden governor in the state’s history. Including the 2016 veto session, Nixon’s has had 96 vetoes overridden.[40] Major issues in 2016[edit] Major issues in the 2016 legislative session included ethics reform, gun control, and the budget.[41] 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7 through May 15. Major issues in 2015[edit] Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included Ferguson, ethics legislation, K-12 student transfers, and teacher tenure.[42][43] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 through May 19. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included Medicaid expansion, tax cuts and reform, student transfers, and right-to-work.[44][45][46] 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to May 30. Major issues in 2013[edit] Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included tax credits, capital improvements, an income tax cut, and a major revision to the state's criminal code.[47] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 4 through May 30.[48][49] Major issues in 2012[edit] The budget was the main focus of the session, as the state faced a $500 million spending gap in January. The agenda at the start of the session also included economic development, Workers Compensation reforms, and overhauling public school funding.[50] Those items joined health care exchanges, birth control, charter schools, and sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine crimes as points of contention and accomplishment over the course of the session.[51] 2011[edit] In 2011, the legislature was in regular session from January 5 through May 30.[52] Governor Jay Nixon (D) called for a special legislative session for September 6, however, the session was called off when Republicans hesitated on a push to overhaul state tax credits and authorize several new incentive programs, including one for a China freight hub in St. Louis. Assembly members were sent home so that they might read the revised 219-page measure over the weekend. According to Senate President Pro Tem Robert Mayer, the "important" bill "needs the attention of every member of this body."[53] Session highlights[edit] Budget cuts[edit] Lawmakers passed a $23.3 billion budget for the 2012 fiscal year in May 2011, representing a $500 million spending cut compared with the previous year. Governor Jay Nixon (D) cut an additional $172 million through withholds and $30,000 using his line-item veto before signing off on the budget plan. Withholds are an exercise of the governor's veto authority, but can be restored to the budget if revenues become available. Education and culture were the big losers in the budget plan, with state universities and community colleges absorbing an average 7 percent cut in state support, and funding completely cut for state arts, public TV and radio programs. The legislature itself saw its budget cut by 4.6 percent, while spending on the Missouri Housing Development Corporation housing assistance program was halved. Still, some programs did see substantial funding increases, including school bus transportation (21 percent), two state higher education scholarships (7 percent), and aid to service providers catering to people with developmental disabilities (2 percent). A new pharmacy partnership between Missouri State University and UMKC was also instituted, receiving $2 million in funding.[54] 2010[edit] In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 6th to May 14th.[55][56]

About legislative sessions in Missouri[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[57] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the Missouri Constitution establishes when the Missouri General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part is to meet. Section 20 of Article III states that the General Assembly shall convene its regular session on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January of each year. Section 20 requires the General Assembly to adjourn its regular session by May 30th.

Section 20 of Article III also allows for a special session of the General Assembly to be convened by a joint proclamation of three-fourths of the members of both houses.

Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, term limits, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Missouri are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 109 of the 163 members in the Missouri House of Representatives and 23 of the 34 members in the Missouri State Senate. Missouri is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

According to Article III, Section 32 of the Missouri Constitution, the legislature shall automatically convene in a special veto session in September to consider overrides for any bill the governor vetoed less than six days before adjournment or after adjournment.

Authority: Article III, Section 32 of the Missouri Constitution.

"Every bill presented to the governor and returned with his objections shall stand as reconsidered in the house to which it is returned. If the governor returns any bill with his objections on or after the fifth day before the last day upon which a session of the general assembly may consider bills, the general assembly shall automatically reconvene on the first Wednesday following the second Monday in September for a period not to exceed ten calendar days for the sole purpose of considering bills returned by the governor. The objections of the governor shall be entered upon the journal and the house shall proceed to consider the question pending, which shall be in this form: “Shall the bill pass, the objections of the governor thereto notwithstanding? The vote upon this question shall be taken by yeas and nays and if two-thirds of the elected members of the house vote in the affirmative the presiding officer of that house shall certify that fact on the roll, attesting the same by his signature, and send the bill with the objections of the governor to the other house, in which like proceedings shall be had in relation thereto. The bill thus certified shall be deposited in the office of the secretary of state as an authentic act and shall become a law."

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Missouri state budget and finances

Missouri on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[58]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by October 1.
3. Agency hearings are held from January through April. Public hearings are held in January and February.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature no later than 30 days after the legislature convenes.
5. The legislature is required to adopt a budget by the first Friday after the first Monday in May. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Missouri is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[58][59]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget. The legislature is not required to pass a balanced budget, but the governor is required to sign one.^[58]

Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Missouri state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Missouri State Senate has 22 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Missouri Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XII of the Missouri Constitution and Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri

The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.

Initiative[edit]

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Missouri, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is based on the number of votes cast for governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. In two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote for initiated constitutional amendments. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Missouri General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in the Missouri House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Missouri State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 3a of Article XII of the Missouri Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1942. Missouri is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:

State	Interval	Last question on the ballot	Next question on the ballot
Missouri	20 years	2022	2042

See also[edit]

Elections	Missouri State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Missouri State Senate elections, 2026 Missouri State Senate elections, 2024 Missouri State Senate elections, 2022 Missouri State Senate elections, 2020 Missouri State Senate elections, 2018	Missouri General Assembly Missouri House of Representatives Governor of Missouri Missouri Supreme Court	State legislative elections: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links[edit]

• Missouri General Assembly
• Missouri State Senate
• Missouri House of Representatives

Footnotes[edit]

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