House OKs adding lawmakers to panel that oversees building

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The House gave initial approval Monday to a bill adding lawmakers to the Missouri Board of Public Buildings, the committee that oversees the Capitol and other state buildings.

House Speaker Jim Kreider has said it is important to have House and Senate leaders on the state buildings committee because the Capitol is used by lawmakers.

The committee currently consists of the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. The proposal would add the House speaker and Senate president pro tem or their designees.

"After Sept. 11th, it became evident that the Legislature had no say in how this building is run," Kreider said while discussing the legislation last month.

"It's important to me that we don't fortify this building," he said. "I understand the need for increased security, but it's important we don't go too far."

The bill requires another vote before moving to the Senate.

The Buildings bill is HB1451 (Kreider).