Missouri General Assembly Explained

Missouri General Assembly
Coa Pic:Seal of Missouri.svg
House Type:Bicameral
Houses:Senate
House of Representatives
Members:197
  • 34 senators
  • 163 representatives
Term Length:Senate

4 years
House: 2 years

Term Limits:Senate: 2 terms (8 years)
House: 4 terms (8 years)
Salary:$35,915/year + per diem
Leader1 Type:President of the Senate
(Lt. Governor)
Leader1:Mike Kehoe
Party1:(R)
Election1:June 18, 2018
Leader2 Type:Speaker Pro Tempore
Leader2:Caleb Rowden
Party2:(R)
Election2:January 9, 2019
Leader3 Type:Speaker of the House
Leader3:Dean Plocher
Party3:(R)
Election3:January 6, 2023
House1:Senate
Structure1:Missouri_Senate.svg
Structure1 Res:250px
Last Election1:November 8, 2022
Next Election1:November 5, 2024
House2:House of Representatives
Structure2:Missouri House of Representatives 2023.svg
Structure2 Res:250px
Last Election2:November 8, 2022
Next Election2:November 5, 2024
Redistricting:Legislative Commission
Session Room:MissouriCapitol.jpg
Session Res:275px
Meeting Place:Missouri State Capitol
Jefferson City
Website:Missouri General Assembly
Constitution:Constitution of Missouri

The Missouri General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Missouri. The bicameral General Assembly is composed of a 34-member Senate and a 163-member House of Representatives. Members of both houses of the General Assembly are subject to term limits. Senators are limited to two four-year terms and representatives to four two-year terms, a total of 8 years for members of both houses.

The General Assembly meets at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Qualifications

Members of the House of Representatives must be 24 years of age to be elected. Representatives also must be a qualified Missouri voter for two years, and a resident of the county or district of their constituency for one year. Senators must be 30 years of age, a qualified Missouri voter for three years, and similar to House qualifications, must be a resident of their senatorial constituency for one year prior to their election.

Sessions and quorum

According to Article III, Section 20 of the Missouri Constitution, the General Assembly must convene on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January following the state general election.[1] It adjourns on May 30, with no consideration of bills after 6:00 p.m. on the first Friday following the second Monday in May. No appropriation bill may be considered after 6:00 p.m. on the first Friday after the first Monday in May. If the Governor returns a bill with his objections after adjournment sine die, the General Assembly is automatically reconvened on the first Wednesday following the second Monday in September for a period not to exceed ten days to consider vetoed bills.

The Governor may convene the General Assembly in special session for a maximum of 60 calendar days at any time. Only subjects recommended by the Governor in his call or a special message may be considered. The President Pro Tem and the Speaker may convene a 30-day special session upon petition of three-fourths of the members of each chamber.

Neither the House nor Senate, without the consent of the other chamber, adjourn for more than ten days at any one time, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses may be sitting.

As a part-time legislature, compensation is low with the General Assembly, and most senators and representatives hold jobs outside their legislative duties. Lawmakers are paid about $35,915 per legislative year.[2]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Legislative Process In Missouri . House of Representatives . 23 December 2020.
  2. Web site: Did You Know - Facts About the Missouri Senate . 2023-04-24 . www.senate.mo.gov.