Missouri Senate opens session, greets guests and adopts two concurrent resolutions

The Missouri Senate convened in formal session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and moved quickly through ceremonial introductions, the adoption of two procedural concurrent resolutions and the reading of numerous bills for committee referral.

Senator from Boone introduced Sophie Cunningham, a Mizzou alumnus and professional basketball player, and her family to the chamber, praising her local roots and youth basketball efforts. The presiding officer invited Cunningham to the dais and asked senators to welcome her. The Senate also recognized visiting Mark Daly, identified as the President of the Irish Senate, and welcomed former Missouri House speaker and former attorney general Catherine Hanaway in the gallery.

On business matters, Senator from Platt moved to take up and adopt House Concurrent Resolution No. 21; after an explanation that it related to arrangements for the state-of-the-state address next week in the House chamber, the secretary called the roll. The presiding officer announced the result as 31 ayes and 0 nays, and the resolution was declared passed. The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 22, described as arranging the chief justice’s state-of-the-judiciary address in the House chamber, by a roll call of 31 ayes and 0 nays.

Senators spent a substantial portion of the session on the formal second reading of bills. The secretary read a lengthy list of bills covering a wide range of policy areas — including mortgage modifications, garnishment rules, election provisions, renewable energy standards, school nutrition, public safety, health-care provisions, tax credits, and administrative changes — and each was referred to the committee named in the reading for further consideration.

Senator from Platt moved to adjourn the Senate; the motion carried by voice vote and the presiding officer announced the Senate would stand adjourned until Monday, Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. No floor debate on substantive policy measures or final passage of bills occurred during the session recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance: House Concurrent Resolution No. 21 — adopted, 31 ayes, 0 nays. House Concurrent Resolution No. 22 — adopted, 31 ayes, 0 nays.

What’s next: referred bills will proceed through committee consideration on their listed referral tracks; the Senate reconvenes on the date announced by the presiding officer.