Several Committees Scheduled
During Week of Veto Session

JEFFERSON CITY — The General Assembly’s annual veto session provides a time for lawmakers to gather and consider bills vetoed by the governor during the previous regular legislative session.  Legislators also use this time during veto session to meet in Jefferson City and discuss various topics in legislative committees.

The Joint Interim Committee on the Missouri Criminal Code, co-chaired by Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Sept. 11.  The committee, which is comprised of three members of the Senate and three members of the House, also includes Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, and Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar. The committee was created by the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 this year, and the panel is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the Missouri Criminal Code and the Missouri Bar Association’s recommendations for revising the state’s code, examining any other relevant issues, and recommending ways to improve the cohesiveness, consistency and effectiveness of Missouri’s criminal laws.

Also scheduled to meet on Sept. 11 is the Joint Committee on Education, chaired by the head of the Senate’s Education Committee, Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg.  Created by legislation passed by the General Assembly in 1985, the panel is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the progress of education in Missouri’s public schools and higher education institutions; receiving reports from the commissioner of education and the commissioner of higher education concerning their respective education fields; conducting a study and analysis of the public school system; and making recommendations to the General Assembly for legislative action, among other duties. Other senators serving on the joint committee include Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield; Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington; Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville; Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia; Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City; and Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis.

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the Joint Interim Committee on Transportation Needs, co-chaired by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, will meet to discuss future funding solutions regarding various transportation infrastructure needs in the Show-Me State.  Additional senators selected to serve on the panel include Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue; Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, and Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City; Sen. Keaveny; Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City; and Sen. Shalonn "Kiki" Curls, D-Kansas City.  The committee, created by SCR 26 in 2012, is charged with conducting a comprehensive analysis of the transportation infrastructure needs of Missouri, examining any other issues that the committee deems relevant, and making any recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of funding the state’s transportation needs.

To see a complete list of committees scheduled to meet during the week of veto session, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “Senate” or “House” links under the “Hearings” tab on the right-hand side of the page.  To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.