SB 15 -- General Assembly

Sponsor:  Childers

This bill transfers responsibility for the "freshmen tour" from
the chairs of the House Budget Committee and the Senate
Appropriations Committee to the Legislative Academy.  The tour of
state-supported institutions is required to take place during the
first two weeks of December following a general election.  In
addition to staff of the Committee on Legislative Research, other
General Assembly staff is required to furnish the academy with
assistance for the tour.

The bill establishes a Legislative Academy under the supervision
of the Committee on Legislative Research.  The academy will
familiarize members of the General Assembly with the organization
and operation of state government, state revenue sources, the
appropriations process, the functions of legislative committees,
and constitutional law.  Senate members attending the legislative
academy will spend two weeks on Senate rules and other matters of
interest to the Senate.  The academy will meet for at least 12
weeks between June 1 and November 1 following the first regular
session.  Members attending the academy will receive a per diem
and expense allowance for each day of attendance.

The bill also establishes a Legislative Academy Advisory
Committee made up of former members of the House of
Representatives and Senate appointed by the Speaker and President
Pro Tem.  The committee will assist in the development of
programming for the legislative academy.  Each member will be
entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the
performance of duties.

The Legislative Academy and the Legislative Academy Advisory
Committee expire on December 31, 2007.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am