Jefferson City, Mo. – A consent bill typically meets little resistance and easily moves through the legislative process. The first requirement of a consent bill is the responsibility of the bill sponsor. If the sponsor is seeking “consent” status for a piece of legislation, a request must be made in writing to the chairman or chairwoman of the originating committee. This tells the chair the sponsor does not believe the legislation is controversial; the fiscal note costs the state no more than $100,000; and it does not contain any penalty provisions.
Once the bill is heard by the committee, it is handled as regular legislation, amended and voted on by the committee members. However, once approved, a second vote is required in which all committee members must vote unanimously to approve consent status. A single “no” vote from the committee prevents the bill from being a consent bill.
Two additional rules help consent bills move through the legislative process quickly, and both pertain to floor debate. In both the Senate and House, amendments are prohibited from being offered. Any change to the language of a consent bill must occur before floor debate, in the original committee where the bill was heard. Both Senate and House rules state that no House consent bill will be placed on the Senate Calendar after April 15.
Once the House and Senate Truly Agree and Finally Pass a piece of legislation, it heads to the governor’s desk for his signature or veto.
For more information about the Missouri Capitol or the Missouri Senate, please visit the Missouri Senate’s website at www.senate.mo.gov.