Greetings Friends of the 155th District!
During the second week of the session at the Missouri Capitol, we experienced a whirlwind of activities. We began the week with the inauguration of Governor Kehoe, which was celebrated with an inaugural ball that brought together many individuals from across our district in Jefferson City. My family and I were thrilled to see such strong support and engagement from our community as we look forward to the promising developments ahead in the coming weeks and months.
Additionally, I am proud to share that I have been selected by Speaker Patterson to serve on the Committee for Education, Emerging Issues, and Judiciary. Through my committee assignments and active role in the Amendment 3 working group, I look forward to significantly contributing to our district’s future and shaping sound policy for all of Missouri during this legislative session.
General Assembly Convenes for 2025 Inauguration
As the week began, members of the House and Senate convened for a joint session on the steps of the Missouri State Capitol building to attend the inauguration of Missouri’s governor and other statewide officials. Lawmakers were present as Governor Mike Kehoe was sworn in to a full term as the 58th governor of the state.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Kehoe delivered a brief address thanking Missourians for putting their trust in him. Governor Kehoe vowed to honor the state’s rich legacy while working toward a brighter future. With a focus on public safety, education, economic development, and agriculture, he outlined his administration’s goal to tackle the most pressing challenges and seize the opportunities for growth.
Governor Kehoe was sworn in by former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, using a Bible that belonged to his mother, Lorriane Kehoe. Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, State Treasurer Vivek Malek, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey were also sworn in during the inauguration ceremony.
Governor Kehoe Launches Safer Missouri Initiative with Six Executive Orders
As his first act after taking the oath of office, Governor Mike Kehoe began his term by prioritizing public safety, signing six executive orders as part of the newly unveiled Safer Missouri Initiative. The plan, developed in collaboration with law enforcement leaders, aims to reduce crime, support law enforcement, and build stronger community partnerships.
Key actions include:
1. Operation Relentless Pursuit: A regional anti-crime effort featuring intelligence-led policing and cross-jurisdiction collaboration, including increased staffing for task force operations.
2. Blue Shield Program: Recognizing local governments for public safety efforts, enabling them to access state grants.
3. Immigration Enforcement Initiatives: Partnering with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws and track immigration status in crime reporting.
4. Law Enforcement Support: Enhancing MSHP salary schedules to reward service more quickly.
5. Parole System Review: Updating rules for parole eligibility and offender management, with recommendations due by October 2025.
6. Law Enforcement Liaison: Establishing a dedicated staff contact in the governor’s office for law enforcement agencies.
Governor Kehoe emphasized the importance of standing with law enforcement and implementing strategic measures to create a safer Missouri. Further initiatives requiring legislative action will be announced in his upcoming State of the State address.
House Speaker Jon Patterson Announces Committee Assignments for the 103rd General Assembly
One week after the legislative session began, Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson announced the committee positions the members of the House will hold for the 103rd General Assembly.
Each of the 32 standing House Committees will specialize in specific areas of legislation. Chairs were selected based on the unique backgrounds of Representatives and include members from each region of the state.
A complete list of all committee assignments can be found online at the following link: https://house.mo.gov/Committees.aspx?cluster=true&year=2025&code=R
Missouri House Adopts Rules of Procedure for 103rd General Assembly
Following the vote to approve the rules under which the Missouri House will operate for the next two years, House Speaker Jon Patterson praised his colleagues for supporting a fair and transparent process that promotes smaller government with greater accountability. The House gave approval to House Resolution 7 by a vote of 106-54.
With each new General Assembly, members from both chambers create and discuss the procedural rules that will govern the legislative process in their respective bodies. In the House, members proposed a number of changes to the rules that were utilized by the 102nd General Assembly. Some of the key changes include removing the limits on the number of bills an individual member can file; reducing the time on which a representative may speak on a bill during the third reading process from 10 minutes to 5 minutes; and amending the rules to ensure that amendments made to bills are germane to the topic at hand.
The newly-adopted House Rules can be viewed online at the following link: https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/hlrbillspdf/1886H.02P.pdf
If you ever have, any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 573-751-2042 or email me at Matthew.Overcast@house.mo.gov. Our office is always here for you.
