The following is a legislative update from Clarkston Nelson, LLC concerning the Missouri General Assembly’s spring legislative session. Use the information within to develop local coverage of issues important to your readers.
2025 Missouri Legislative Session Begins
Lawmakers, their staff, lobbyists, and advocates flocked to the Capitol Wednesday afternoon for the start of the first regular session of the 103rd General Assembly. After the November elections, the number of seats Republicans and Democrats hold in the Senate chamber remained unchanged, with Republicans maintaining 24 of the Senate’s 34 seats. In the House, Republicans hold 111 of the House’s 163 seats. This means that entering the legislative session, Republicans continue to hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate chambers.
While Wednesday was largely focused on ceremonial procedures as new members and re-elected members of the Missouri Senate and House took the oath of office, both chambers also elected new leadership. Making Missouri history, Republican Senator Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina) was officially elected as the first woman to lead the Missouri Senate as the new Senate Pro Tem, and Senator Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville) was elected as the new Senate Majority Floor Leader.
In the House, voting took place to officially elect Representative Jon Patterson (R-Lee’s Summit) as the new Speaker of the House and Representative Chad Perkins (R-Bowling Green) as House Speaker Pro Tem.
By the end of Wednesday, a total of 1,438 bills had been filed between the two chambers. The next couple of weeks will be dedicated to forming committees, appointing chairs, and appointing members from both parties to the newly formed committees. Once committees are formed, bills will be referred for hearings and the legislative process will begin in earnest.
With a new Governor and new leadership in the House and Senate, there is hope this session will be more productive than previous years.
E-BRIDGE Act
MO United States Representative Sam Graves’ bill to increase broadband access in rural areas, the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act, was signed into law last Friday as part of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (S. 4367). The E-BRIDGE Act removes hurdles for broadband projects under Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment. It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements.
Upcoming Dates of Interest
January 13, 2025 – Inauguration Day
January 20, 2025 – MLK Day – NO SESSION
January 28, 2025 – State of the State Address
February 26, 2025 – State of the Judiciary Address
February 28, 2025 – Last Day to File Legislation
April 21, 2025 – Easter Holiday – NO SESSION
May 9, 2025 – Last Day to Pass the FY26 Budget
May 16, 2025 – Last Day of the 2025 Legislative Session
September 10, 2025 – Veto Session
