New Mo. House committee structure aims to strengthen bill-drafting process

Last week's announcement of chairmen and -women for the Missouri House of Representatives committees also came with the unveiling of a new committee structure designed to strengthen the bill-drafting process.

Missouri House Speaker John Diehl, R-Town and Country, said the addition of another layer of oversight allows for more thorough analysis of each bill before it reaches the House floor.

Thirteen "select committees" are based on specific issues, from education and agriculture to budget and labor, and will oversee several standing committees dealing with similar subjects. There are 55 committees in all.

In a news release, Diehl said the new system will "empower chairmen and committee members to specialize in issue areas where they have experience and expertise."

Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, said during a recent meeting with the Southeast Missourian editorial board that within the committees, "professionals can look at the finer details of a bill before it's sent to the floor," which can help reduce the likelihood of inaccuracies or problems within the bill popping up down the road.

Swan was named chairwoman of the Regular Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education, and is a member of the Select Committee on Education. Legislation she expects her committees to consider this session focus on topics such as allowing students to transfer out of unaccredited schools -- a bill hotly debated between Gov. Jay Nixon and last year's General Assembly -- and helping high school students become more prepared for the workforce and postsecondary education. As chairwoman, Swan said she would like to lead her committee "in a very positive direction."

Swan also sits on the Select Committee on Budget, along with Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson. As chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Appropriations for Higher Education, budget matters seem to play a large role in Lichtenegger's responsibilities in the House this session. Her standing committee is one of seven appropriations committees that work with the select budget committee.

Like Swan, the local representative also is on the Select Committee on Education and serves on the standing committees for higher education and economic development.

"Higher education is a subject area of great interest to me and one where I have a great deal of experience that I hope to use to help my committee members as we work together to make difficult spending decisions," Lichtenegger said in a recent news release. "Because revenues continue to be tight here in Missouri, it will be important to evaluate every higher education spending category."

srinehart@semissourian.com

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