Missouri Senate names committee chairmen, vice chairmen

(From Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin)

Senate Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, announced today 21 Senate committees that will hold public hearings and draft legislation this session. This year, the committees have been restructured to better hear testimony on the issues that are important to Missourians today.

“As the times change and the environment of Missouri evolves, we saw a need to update our committee structure,” said Richard. “We have revamped some of the committees to ensure important issues like job creation and economic development get more time in public hearings. We have also structured them so there is less overlapping of committees so senators don’t feel torn between hearing one important issue over another.”

As Senate President Pro Tem, Sen. Richard names all committees and appoints chairmen and members of the majority caucus to those committees.

Senate Committees, Chairmen, and Vice Chairmen are (in alphabetical order):

1. Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources: Chairman – Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown; Vice Chairman – Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg
2. Appropriations: Chairman – Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla; Vice Chairman – Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City
3. Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment: Chairman – Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City; Vice Chairman Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar
4. Economic Development: Chairman – Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa; Vice Chairman – Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby
5. Education: Chairman – Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington; Vice Chairman – Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Springs
6. Government Reform: Chairman – Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar; Vice Chairman – Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan
7. Fiscal Oversight: Chairman – Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville; Vice Chairman – Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City
8. General Laws: Chairman – Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis; Vice Chairman – Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff
9. Gubernatorial Appointments: Chairman – Senate Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin; Vice Chairman – Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City
10. Health and Pensions: Chairman – Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph; Vice Chairman – Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester
11. Insurance and Banking: Chairman – Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial; Vice Chairman – Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville
12. Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence: Chairman – Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield; Vice Chairman – Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis
13. Professional Registration: Chairwoman – Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County; Vice Chairman – Sen. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia
14. Progress and Development: Chairman – Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors; Vice Chairwoman – Sen. S. Kiki Curls, D-Kansas City
15. Local Government and Elections: Chairman – Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby ; Vice Chairman – Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville
16. Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics: Chairman – Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City; Vice Chairman – Senate Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin
17. Seniors, Families and Children: Chairman – Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville; Vice Chairwoman – Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County
18. Small Business and Industry: Chairman – Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff; Vice Chairman – Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial
19. Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety: Chairman – Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan; Vice Chairman – Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington
20. Veterans’ and Military Affairs: Chairman – Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau; Vice Chairman – Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit
21. Ways and Means: Chairman – Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit; Vice Chairman – Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau

Committee member assignments were also announced today. The committees will be in place for the First Regular Session of the 99th General Assembly that runs through 2018. For a full listing of assignments or to learn more about the role of each committee, visit http://www.senate.mo.gov/committee/.