Missouri House Bill HR7 Latest Draft

                             
 
RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
 
Adopted January 14, 2025 
TIME OF MEETING 
 
Rule 1.  The time of meeting by the House, unless otherwise ordered, shall be 10:00 a.m. 
ORDER OF BUSINESS 
 
Rule 2.  (1)  Administrative Order of Business. The first of each day, after the House is called to order, 
shall be employed as follows unless otherwise ordered by the House: 
(a)  Introduction of petitions, memorials, remonstrances, and resolutions. 
(b)  Introduction and first reading of House Joint Resolutions. 
(c)  Introduction and first reading of House Bills. 
(d)  First reading of Senate Joint Resolutions and Bills. 
(e)  Second reading of House Bills, Joint Resolutions, and Concurrent Resolutions. 
(f)  Second reading of Senate Bills, Joint Resolutions, and Concurrent Resolutions. 
(g)  Reports of regular standing committees. 
(h)  Reports of special standing committees. 
(i)  Messages from the Senate. 
(2)  Regular Order of Business. At the close of the administrative order of business, the Speaker 
or any member may call for the regular order of business.  The administrative order of business may be 
dispensed with by unanimous consent of the House at any time.  The regular order of business shall be 
employed as follows unless otherwise ordered by the House:  
(a)  Prayer. 
(b)  Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. 
(c)  Reading and approval of the Journal of the previous day's session. 
(d)  Bills, reports, and other business on the table. 
(e)  House Joint Resolutions to be perfected and printed. 
(f)  House Bills to be perfected and printed. 
(g)  Third reading of House Joint Resolutions and Concurrent Resolutions. 
(h)  Third reading of House Bills. 
(i)  Messages from the Senate. 
(j)  Third reading of Senate Joint Resolutions and Concurrent Resolutions. 
(k)  Third reading of Senate Bills. 
(l)  Adoption of petitions, memorials, remonstrances, and resolutions. 
(m)  Reports of subcommittees. 
(n)  Such other orders of business as deemed necessary pursuant to law. 
HEADINGS ON HOUSE CALENDAR 
 
Rule 3.  The House may keep calendars for organizational purposes and to facilitate the consideration of   
 
legislation.  Calendars may be created as deemed necessary by the Speaker. 
FIRST AND SECOND READING OF BILLS 
 
Rule 4.  A bill shall be read the first time by journal entry of the title of the bill on the legislative day of 
its filing.  It shall be second read on the following legislative day by journal entry of the title of the bill.  
The reading of a bill by its title shall be deemed sufficient reading unless the further reading be called 
for.  If the further reading be called for and no objection made, the bill shall be read at length; if, 
however, objection be made, the question shall be determined by the majority of the members present. 
ORDERS OF THE DAY 
 
Rule 5.  Upon recess or adjournment, the Majority Floor Leader shall advise the entire membership of 
the business anticipated to be conducted during the remainder of the legislative day and during the next 
legislative day. 
ELECTION OF OFFICERS 
GENERALLY 
Election; Oath; Compensation 
 
Rule 6.  The House shall elect the following officers at the commencement of the first regular session of 
each general assembly: its presiding officer, who shall be called Speaker of the House, a Speaker Pro 
Tem, a Chief Clerk, a Sergeant-at-Arms, a Doorkeeper, and a Chaplain, who shall hold office during all 
sessions until the convening of the succeeding General Assembly, unless sooner removed by a vote of 
the majority of the members.  Each shall receive such compensation as may be provided for by law.  
Each shall take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this State and to faithfully 
demean himself or herself in office and to keep the secrets of the House.  Such oath shall be 
administered to the Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem by a Judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, 
or a Circuit Court and by the Speaker to the other officers.  All other officers of the House shall be 
appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Speaker and receive such compensation as provided by 
law. 
SPEAKER 
Speaker to Call Members to Order 
 
Rule 7.  The Speaker shall take the chair at the hour to which the House has been adjourned and 
immediately call the members to order and, on the appearance of a quorum, shall cause the Journal of 
the preceding day to be read unless otherwise ordered by the House, which may then be corrected by the 
House. 
Parliamentary Rulings; Referral to Parliamentary Committee 
 
Rule 8.  Parliamentary rulings may be made only by the Speaker or the Speaker Pro Tem.  At his or her 
option or at the request from a member of the Parliamentary Committee, he or she may refer points of   
 
order to the Parliamentary Committee for an advisory opinion.  In the absence of the Speaker or the 
Speaker Pro Tem, rulings shall be made by a parliamentary committee.  The Committee on 
Parliamentary Procedure shall be composed of the Speaker, the Majority Floor Leader, and the Minority 
Floor Leader or their member designees.  No member who is temporarily in the chair may rule on points 
of order, except the Speaker or Speaker Pro Tem, until and unless the Parliamentary Committee has 
been called and ruled.  It shall be the duty of the temporary Speaker to call such Parliamentary 
Committee at the time the point of order is raised and before any discussion on such point of order takes 
place.  It shall be at the Speaker's discretion whether members may speak on points of order.  The 
Speaker or the Speaker Pro Tem may take points of order under advisement; provided that, he or she 
rules on the point of order before any other motion to amend is entertained. 
Speaker May Speak on Points of Order 
 
Rule 9.  The Speaker may speak on points of order in preference to any other member, arising from his 
or her seat for that purpose, and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the House.  No 
member shall inquire of another member nor debate with other members on points of order but shall 
address his or her remarks only to the chair. 
Appeal from a Ruling of the Chair 
 
Rule 10.  Should there be an appeal from any ruling of the chair, the question, "Shall the chair be 
sustained?" shall be immediately put and determined before the House proceeds to other business. 
Speaker Has General Supervision of Hall 
 
Rule 11.  The Speaker shall have general direction and supervision of the House and shall preserve 
decorum and order in the Hall. 
Supervision of House Employees 
 
Rule 12.  The Speaker shall have general supervision and control over all employees of the House.  The 
Speaker may hire special counsel to assist committees in extraordinary circumstances.  The Speaker may 
make a temporary appointment to fill a vacancy in the office of the Chief Clerk until such time as the 
House adopts a resolution to fill the vacancy on a permanent basis. 
Speaker May Substitute Member to Perform Duties 
 
Rule 13.  The Speaker may substitute any member to perform the duties of the chair if the Speaker Pro 
Tem is absent or otherwise engaged. 
Speaker Shall Sign Bills 
 
Rule 14.  The Speaker shall sign all bills, and perform all other duties in relation thereto, as required by 
the Constitution.  He or she shall also sign all joint resolutions and addresses; and all writs, warrants, 
and subpoenas issued by order of the House shall be under his or her hand, attested by the Chief Clerk.   
 
Speaker May Clear Hall 
 
Rule 15.  In case of disturbance or disorderly conduct in the lobbies or galleries, the Speaker, temporary 
Speaker, or Chair of the Committee of the Whole House shall have power to order the same cleared.  He 
or she shall not, however, have the power to remove members from the floor of the House, except by a 
majority vote of those present. 
Manner of Putting Questions 
 
Rule 16.  The Speaker shall rise to state and put questions. Questions shall be in the following form: "All 
those in favor (if by electronic roll call) vote 'Aye'.  All those opposed (if by electronic roll call) vote 
'No'".  If by voice vote say "Aye" or "No".  If the Speaker doubts on a voice vote, voting shall be 
ordered by electronic device.  The Speaker may require a recorded vote on any motion. 
OTHER OFFICERS 
Speaker Pro Tem 
 
Rule 17.  The Speaker Pro Tem shall perform the duties of Speaker during the sickness or absence of the 
Speaker, except while some member is discharging such duties as a substitute under Rule 13. 
Chief Clerk 
 
Rule 18.  It shall be the duty of the Chief Clerk to serve also as Chief Administrator of the House and to 
attend the House during its sittings.  The Chief Clerk, under the direction of the Speaker, shall prepare 
and keep the House Journal and seasonably record the proceedings of the House; keep regular files of 
House papers; attest all writs, warrants, and subpoenas issued by order of the House; keep an account of 
all fines imposed by the House; maintain a record of the members' attendance; keep an account of the 
traveling and expense allowances of all the members; transmit to the Senate messages, communications, 
copies, and documents of the House; keep a docket of proceedings on all bills, resolutions, and acts; and 
execute the commands of the House from time to time.  The Assistant Chief Clerk shall perform the 
duties of the Chief Clerk in his or her sickness or absence, or upon the Chief Clerk's resignation. 
Sergeant-at-Arms; Doorkeeper; Chaplain 
 
Rule 19.  (1)  Sergeant-at-arms. It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to attend the House during 
its sittings; to execute the commands of the House from time to time, together with such process issued 
by authority thereof as shall be directed to him or her by the Speaker; and to oversee the security of the 
areas within the capitol under the control of the House of Representatives.  He or she shall preserve 
order during committee hearings and in the galleries and lobby and control entry into the Hall and onto 
the floor during the session of the House.  The sergeant-at-arms shall have all powers granted to law 
enforcement officers in this state to apprehend and arrest persons for violations of Article III, Section 18 
of the Constitution of Missouri, and may carry firearms when necessary for the proper discharge of his 
or her duties.  The sergeant-at-arms may employ additional staff to assist him or her in the performance 
of his or her duties.  The sergeant-at-arms and any such additional employees shall maintain a valid   
 
peace officer license for the duration of their employment.  
(2)  Doorkeeper. It shall be the duty of the Doorkeeper, subject to the orders of the Speaker, to 
attend the sittings of the House.  The Doorkeeper shall allow no person to come or remain within the 
Hall or galleries except as are admitted by the rules or orders of the House.  He or she shall execute the 
commands of the Speaker in relation to his or her duties and shall obey such other orders as may be 
made by the House. 
(3)  Chaplain. It shall be the duty of the Chaplain, or a member, former member, or employee of 
the House, as designated by the Speaker, to attend at the commencement of each day's sitting of the 
House, to open the sessions thereof with a prayer, visit any member who may be sick, and to preach in 
the Hall of the House of Representatives whenever requested by a vote of the House. 
Employees 
 
Rule 20.  The House may employ, and the Speaker appoint, such employees as are necessary to perform 
the duties of the House.  No person shall be initially hired by the House who is related to any member of 
the House within the fourth degree, by consanguinity or by affinity. 
COMMITTEES 
By Whom Appointed; Composition of Membership 
 
Rule 21.  (1)  All regular standing, select, conference, interim, and statutory committees shall be 
appointed by the Speaker who, when appointing a committee, shall designate a member thereof as chair, 
designate another member as vice chair, and designate the total number of members to serve on each 
committee, except the minority members of each regular standing committee shall be appointed by the 
Minority Floor Leader.  The vice chair or a designee of the chair shall preside at all committee meetings 
in the absence of the chair. 
(2)  The Speaker of the House, the Speaker Pro Tem, the Majority Floor Leader, the Assistant 
Majority Floor Leader, the Majority Whip, the Minority Floor Leader, the Assistant Minority Floor 
Leader, and the Minority Whip shall be ex-officio members of all committees of the House, the chair 
and the vice chair of the Committee on Budget and one member of the committee designated by the 
Minority Floor Leader shall be ex-officio members of all subcommittees of the Committee on Budget, 
and the chair of each regular and special standing committee shall be an ex-officio member of each 
subcommittee of such regular or special standing committee for the purpose of a quorum and inquiry but 
shall have no vote unless they are duly appointed members of the committee. 
(3)  The membership of all regular standing committees and all other committees and 
commissions, unless otherwise provided by the act or resolution creating them, shall be composed as 
nearly as may be, of majority and minority party members in the same proportion as the number of 
majority and minority party members in the House bears to the total elected membership of the House, 
except for the Ethics Committee.  The Ethics Committee shall consist of an equal number of members 
from the majority and minority party.  
(4)  The Speaker may appoint such special standing committees as he or she deems necessary.  
Any special standing committee shall have the authority and duties of a regular standing committee if so 
designated by the Speaker.  The Minority Floor Leader may make recommendations to the Speaker 
regarding minority membership of special standing committees.     
 
(5)  The Speaker may dissolve or discharge the members of any conference, interim, or special 
standing committee at any time and reappoint the members thereof. 
Time of Sitting 
 
Rule 22.  No committee shall meet except during those times so designated by the Speaker.  No 
committee shall sit during the session of the House without leave of the House, except for during the 
administrative order of business. 
The Regular Standing Committees Enumerated 
 
Rule 23.  The regular standing committees of the House shall be as follows: 
(1)  Administration and Accounts. 
(2)  Agriculture. 
(3)  Budget. 
(4)  Children and Families. 
(5)  Commerce. 
(6)  Consent and Procedure. 
(7)  Conservation and Natural Resources. 
(8)  Corrections and Public Institutions. 
(9)  Crime and Public Safety. 
(10)  Economic Development. 
(11)  Elections. 
(12)  Elementary and Secondary Education. 
(13)  Emerging Issues. 
(14)  Ethics. 
(15)  Financial Institutions. 
(16)  Fiscal Review. 
(17)  General Laws. 
(18)  Government Efficiency. 
(19)  Health and Mental Health. 
(20)  Higher Education and Workforce Development. 
(21)  Insurance. 
(22)  Judiciary. 
(23)  Legislative Review. 
(24)  Local Government.  
(25)  Pensions. 
(26)  Professional Registration and Licensing. 
(27)  Rules - Administrative. 
(28)  Rules - Legislative. 
(29)  Transportation. 
(30)  Utilities. 
(31)  Veterans and Armed Forces. 
(32)  Ways and Means.   
 
Duties of the Regular Standing Committees 
 
Rule 24.  (1)  Duties Generally. Regular standing committees, and appropriations subcommittees 
established under Rule 24(4)(c) according to the provisions under Rule 25, shall have the authority to 
consider bills and resolutions that have been referred to them and: 
(a)  Report the bill or resolution "Do Pass", "Without Recommendation", or "Do Pass - Consent" 
to the Speaker. 
(b)  Report the bill or resolution "Do Pass with recommended committee amendment" to the 
Speaker. 
(c)  Report the bill or resolution as a "House Committee Substitute - Do Pass" or "House 
Committee Substitute - Without Recommendation" to the Speaker. 
(2)  Administration and Accounts. 
(a)  Duties generally. The Committee on Administration and Accounts shall superintend and 
have sole and complete control of all financial obligations and business affairs of the House except those 
employees appointed by or assigned to the Speaker, or assigned to the Budget Committee Chair, the 
Speaker Pro Tem, the Majority Floor Leader, the Minority Floor Leader, and the Officers of the House.  
The committee shall provide for the receiving and receipt of all supplies, equipment, and furnishings 
purchased from the account of the House and shall further provide for the use and distribution thereof. 
(b)  Funds for operation of member's individual offices. The committee shall also prescribe rules 
governing the expenditure of funds allotted to individual members for the operation of their offices.  
Such rules shall be applied equally to, and shall require the equal treatment of, all members with regard 
to the expenditure of such funds.  Subject to such rules, each member shall have discretion to expend 
such funds, for the use of his or her office, without the approval of the committee. 
(c)  Allotment of offices, chamber seats, and parking spaces.  Each member shall be allotted his 
or her own office, chamber seat, and parking assignment.  The committee shall assign all offices, 
chamber seats, and parking spaces under its control and reserved for members.   The committee may 
make assignments to the party conference or caucus for the conference or caucus to assign to their 
respective members.  The House officers, the floor leaders and assistant floor leaders of each party, the 
Budget Committee Chair, and the chair and ranking minority member of the Administration and 
Accounts Committee, without respect to the seniority of those members, shall have priority with respect 
to such assignments within their respective conference or caucus. 
(d)  Duties of the Chief Clerk in Respect to Committee. The Chief Clerk of the House may be 
authorized to act for the committee, but only in the manner and to the extent as may have been 
previously authorized by the committee.  Such authorization shall be entered in the minutes of the 
committee.  The Chief Clerk shall maintain financial records for the House in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles.  The Chief Clerk of the House shall keep a detailed accounting of all 
transactions and shall furnish each member of the committee and the Speaker with a copy of such 
account on a quarterly basis. 
(e)  Recognition of Caucuses. The committee may approve and prescribe for the recognition of 
caucuses.  Any group of five or more House members may seek designation as a caucus for the purpose 
of identifying and collaborating on issues within a common sphere of public interest.  The committee 
shall post the names of all recognized caucuses on the House website. 
(3)  The Committee on Agriculture. The Committee on Agriculture may consider and report 
upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the protection, promotion, and encouragement of 
agriculture in this state.   
 
(4)  The Committee on Budget. 
(a)  The Chair of the Committee on Budget shall have the sole responsibility of filing all 
appropriations bills.  The Committee on Budget shall have the responsibility for any other bills, 
measures, or questions referred to it pertaining to the appropriation and disbursement of public moneys. 
(b)  Other duties.  The committee may consider and report upon any bill or resolution referred to 
it which, in the opinion of the Speaker, merits special consideration.  The committee may also consider 
and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the reorganization, consolidation, and abolition 
of boards, bureaus, commissions, and other offices and buildings of the state, including the Division of 
Facilities Management, Design and Construction, the capitol grounds, and the state and legislative 
libraries.  The committee is empowered to study and investigate the efficiency and economy of all 
branches of government, including the possible existence of fraud, misfeasance, malfeasance, collusion, 
mismanagement, incompetence, corruption, waste, conflicts of interest, and the improper expenditure of 
government funds in transactions, contracts, and activities of the government or government officials 
and employees.  The committee is authorized to hold hearings, sit, and act at any time or place within 
the state of Missouri during the recess and adjournment periods of the House, administer oaths, and take 
testimony, either orally or by sworn written statement.  If the committee, after hearing and upon findings 
incorporated in a report, deems that a particular activity, bureau, agency, committee, commission, 
department, or any other entity of state government should be discontinued, it shall report such finding 
to the House for further action by the House. 
(c)  The Committee on Budget shall have the following subcommittees: 
a.  The Subcommittee on Appropriations - Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources, and 
Economic Development. 
b.  The Subcommittee on Appropriations - Education. 
c.  The Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration. 
d.  The Subcommittee on Appropriations - Health, Mental Health, and Social Services. 
e.  The Subcommittee on Appropriations - Public Safety, Corrections, Transportation, and 
Revenue. 
f.  Other subcommittees designated by the Speaker. 
(d)  The Committee on Budget may place a limitation on the time of floor debate for 
appropriations bills.  If a time limitation is imposed, such time shall be divided equally between and 
controlled by the floor handler of the bill and the floor leader of the political party other than that of the 
floor handler or their respective designees. 
(5)  The Committee on Consent and Procedure. 
(a)  The Committee on Consent and Procedure may consider and report upon bills and matters 
referred to it which, in the opinion of the Speaker, merit special consideration. 
(b)  If a bill is automatically referred to the Committee on Consent and Procedure with a 
recommendation that it "Do Pass - Consent", the committee shall review the bill for the purpose of 
determining whether it should have consent status.  The committee may decide, by a majority of those 
present, whether to place the bill on the appropriate consent calendar.  If the committee declines to place 
the bill on the appropriate consent calendar, it may consider whether to report the bill to the House with 
a "Do Pass" recommendation without consent status. 
(c)  The Committee on Consent and Procedure may perform all duties relating to the issuance of 
courtesy resolutions.  A courtesy resolution is a noncontroversial resolution in the nature of 
congratulations on the birth of a child, celebration of a wedding anniversary, congratulations on an 
outstanding citizen achievement, or a similar event which is in the practice and procedure of the House   
 
to consider as a courtesy resolution and shall require action by the House as provided for by the House 
Rules.  The Chief Clerk, under the direction of the committee, shall maintain a list of all courtesy 
resolutions issued under this rule for inspection.  Any resolution that is not a courtesy resolution shall 
require action by the House as provided for by the House Rules. 
(d)  The Committee on Consent and Procedure shall formulate and present for consideration the 
rules of the House and shall consider and report upon all propositions to amend or change the rules, 
which propositions shall stand referred without reading or consideration and without discussion, 
explanation, or debate to the Committee on Consent and Procedure. 
(e)  The Chief Clerk, under the direction of the committee, shall supervise the printing of all bills 
ordered perfected and printed, assuring that procedures are followed in which all amendments to every 
such bill are incorporated therein before the bill is printed and that the printed copies of the bill provided 
to the members are true and accurate copies of the bill as ordered perfected and printed.  The committee 
shall also supervise the printing of all bills which are truly agreed to and finally passed, assuring that 
procedures are followed in which every bill is a true copy of the bill as passed with clerical errors 
corrected. 
(6)  The Committee on Children and Families. The Committee on Children and Families may 
consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the Department of Social Services, 
the Department of Health and Senior Services, and other matters relating to the fostering and promotion 
of children, families, and persons with disabilities in this state. 
(7)  The Committee on Commerce.  The Committee on Commerce may consider and report upon 
bills and matters referred to it relating to commercial interests of the state. 
(8) The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources. The Committee on Conservation 
and Natural Resources may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the 
functions and operations of the Department of Conservation and the Department of Natural Resources 
and all powers thereto conferred upon by the Missouri constitution and statutes. 
(9) The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions. The Committee on Corrections and 
Public Institutions may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to adult and 
juvenile penal and correctional problems, the administration of correctional institutions, and the state 
penitentiary. 
(10) The Committee on Crime and Public Safety.  The Committee on Crime and Public Safety 
may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to criminal laws, law enforcement, 
and public safety matters. 
(11) The Committee on Economic Development.  The Committee on Economic Development 
may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to commerce, industrial growth, 
expansion, and development.    
(12) The Committee on Elections. The Committee on Elections may consider and report upon 
bills and matters referred to it relating to elections and election contests involving members of the House 
and on the qualifications and terms of elected officials. 
(13) The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education. The Committee on Elementary 
and Secondary Education may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to 
elementary and secondary education and life-long learning in this state, including teachers, financing, 
property, indebtedness, and curriculum. 
(14) The Committee on Emerging Issues. The Committee on Emerging Issues may consider and 
report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to general or miscellaneous issues as determined by 
the Speaker.   
 
(15) The Committee on Ethics. The Committee on Ethics may consider and report upon 
complaints referred to it relating to a member of the House involving the commission of a crime, 
misconduct, willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, or other complaints relating to the ethical 
conduct of a member.  The committee is authorized to sit and act at any time or place within the State of 
Missouri during the recess and adjournment periods of the House, administer oaths, and take testimony, 
either orally or by sworn written statement. 
(16) The Committee on Financial Institutions. The Committee on Financial Institutions may 
consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to banks, banking, savings and loans, 
credit unions, and other financial institutions. 
(17) The Committee on Fiscal Review. 
(a)  The Committee on Fiscal Review shall consider any bill which requires net additional 
expenditures of state money in excess of $250,000 or which reduces net state revenue by more than 
$250,000 in any of the three fiscal years immediately following the effective date or at full 
implementation of the bill.  The following bills, excluding appropriations bills, shall be automatically 
referred to the Committee on Fiscal Review: 
a.  Any House bill after perfection and before third reading that requires net additional 
expenditures of state moneys in excess of $250,000 or that reduces net state revenue by more than 
$250,000 in any of the three fiscal years immediately following the effective date or at full 
implementation of the bill. 
b.  Any House bill returned with Senate amendments before its consideration. 
c.  Any Senate bill upon placement on the third reading calendar that requires net additional 
expenditures of state moneys in excess of $250,000 or that reduces net state revenue by more than 
$250,000 in any of the three fiscal years immediately following the effective date or at full 
implementation of the bill. 
d.  Conference committee reports for all House bills and Senate bills upon submission and 
distribution. 
(b)  Any Senate or House bill amended so as to increase net expenditures or reduce net revenues 
shall, upon timely motion adopted by the members, be referred to the Committee on Fiscal Review.  
(c)  The primary sponsor or, in the case of a Senate bill, the floor handler of a bill referred to the 
Committee on Fiscal Review shall be entitled to a hearing on the bill but such hearing shall be limited to 
the reception of testimony by the primary sponsor or floor handler, as the case may be, in person and 
none other, without leave of the committee chair.  
(d)  For the purposes of this rule, "net" is defined as the sum of revenues and expenditures, after 
reductions and increases brought about by a bill have been calculated.   
(e)  The Committee on Fiscal Review may, with the consent of the House sponsor or floor 
handler, amend an effective date, emergency clause, or sunset provision onto any bill referred to the 
Committee prior to its third reading. 
(f)  If the chair of the Committee on Fiscal Review or any member with approval by a majority 
vote of the standing committee requests clarifying questions or supplemental information from the 
director of the oversight division of the Committee on Legislative Research, such clarifications may be 
given to the Committee or to the member in the form of an appendix to the fiscal note. 
(18) The Committee on General Laws. The Committee on General Laws may consider matters 
referred to it relating to general or miscellaneous issues as determined by the Speaker.  
(19) The Committee on Government Efficiency.  The Committee on Government Efficiency may 
consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the efficiency of state government   
 
and its programs. 
(20) The Committee on Health and Mental Health.  The Committee on Health and Mental 
Health may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the health care of the 
citizens of the State, including mental health, the Department of Health and Senior Services, and the 
Department of Mental Health.  The committee may also consider and report on bills and matters referred 
to it relating to Medicaid and related matters. 
(21) The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. The Committee on 
Higher Education and Workforce Development may consider and report upon bills and matters referred 
to it relating to higher education, including matters relating to financing, facilities, staff, curriculum, and 
related matters, and matters relating to the regulation and administration of state policies regarding the 
attraction, training, retention, and safety of the workforce. 
(22) The Committee on Insurance. The Committee on Insurance may consider and report upon 
bills and matters referred to it relating to insurance, insurance companies, and the Department of 
Commerce and Insurance. 
(23) The Committee on Judiciary. The Committee on Judiciary may consider and report upon 
bills and matters referred to it relating to the judicial branch of the state and the practices and procedures 
of the courts of this state, on matters pertaining to civil and administrative laws and procedures, and on 
matters relating to the ethics of public officials. 
(24) The Committee on Legislative Review. The Committee on Legislative Review may 
consider and report upon bills referred to it.  The committee shall review bills in its possession to 
determine whether proposed amendments or substitutes are appropriate and whether bills are technically 
correct.  House bills and resolutions and Senate bills and resolutions may, on amendable calendars, be 
committed by motion to the Committee on Legislative Review after the bill has lain upon the calendar 
for one legislative day.  Bills may be committed before or after amendment, but not after third reading.  
The committee may then make a recommendation to the House in the form of a house substitute. 
(25) The Committee on Local Government. The Committee on Local Government may consider 
and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to counties, cities, towns, villages, other political 
subdivisions of the state, and local government generally. 
(26) The Committee on Pensions. The Committee on Pensions may consider and report upon 
bills and matters referred to it relating to the regulation and administration of state policies conferred 
upon any agency or governmental unit pursuant to the Missouri constitution and statutes of publicly 
financed or publicly supported pension systems. 
(27) The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing.  The Committee on 
Professional Registration and Licensing may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it 
relating to the licensing of professionals in this state. 
(28) The Committees on Rules. 
(a)  There shall be a Committee on Rules - Administrative and a Committee on Rules - 
Legislative.  Each Committee on Rules shall have the same duties and shall consider and report upon all 
matters referred to it. 
(b)  Duties generally. 
a.  If a committee reports a bill, except an appropriations bill, consent bill, or a bill or measure 
reported from the Committee on Ethics, with a recommendation that it "Do Pass" or "Without 
Recommendation", the bill shall be referred to a Committee on Rules by the Speaker within ten 
legislative days of receipt.  The committee is hereby authorized to: 
(i)  Report the bill "Do Pass" to the House without a limitation on time of debate on the bill or   
 
amendments. 
(ii)  Report the bill "Do Pass" to the House with a limitation on the time of debate. 
(iii)  Send the bill back to the originating committee in the form as originally referred by the 
Speaker.  If a Committee on Rules sends the bill back to the originating committee, that committee may 
amend the bill and report the bill again without the need to reconsider the initial vote by which the 
committee voted the bill "Do Pass". 
b.  If a bill is referred to a Committee on Rules with a recommendation that it "Do Pass - Federal 
Mandate", the committee shall review the bill for the purpose of determining whether it should have 
federal mandate status.  The committee may decide, by a majority of those present, whether to place the 
bill on the appropriate federal mandate calendar.  If the committee declines to place the bill on the 
appropriate federal mandate calendar, it may consider whether to report the bill to the House with a "Do 
Pass" recommendation without federal mandate status.  The authority of the committee with respect to 
limiting debate shall apply to bills reported by it as "Do Pass - Federal Mandate". 
c.  If a Committee on Rules shall place a limitation on the time of floor debate on a bill or on 
amendments, such time shall be divided equally between and controlled by the floor handler of the bill 
and the floor leader of the political party other than that of the floor handler or their respective 
designees.  The floor handler shall have the right to have the final one minute of designated time.  If 
time has been allocated and unused by either side and no member from that side is seeking recognition, 
the Speaker may declare additional time waived and recognize the members of the other side to 
complete the use of their time.   
d.  In reviewing bills referred to it from another committee, a Committee on Rules may, but is 
not required to, take such testimony as it deems appropriate to make its decisions.  The committee shall 
not amend any bill that was not initially referred to a Committee on Rules. 
e.  If a committee has reported a bill "Do Pass" with committee amendments, a Committee on 
Rules shall take such action as it deems proper on the entire package of the bill with committee 
amendments as though the committee amendments were already incorporated into the bill. 
f.  If a Committee on Rules is the original committee to which a bill is referred, the committee 
may take any action on such bill that is permissible under the authority given to regular standing 
committees under Rule 24(1) above. 
(29) The Committee on Transportation. The Committee on Transportation may consider and 
report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the Department of Transportation, motor vehicles, 
traffic regulations, and all means of transportation, including roads, highways, bridges, ferries, airports, 
and railroads. 
(30) The Committee on Utilities. The Committee on Utilities may consider and report upon bills 
and matters referred to it relating to the development, use, and regulation of utilities, communications, 
and technology and the development, use, and conservation of energy and other energy-related concerns, 
environmental impact, pollution, and public health and safety as it relates to the issue of energy. 
(31) The Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces. The Committee on Veterans and Armed 
Forces may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to terrorism and security 
against terrorism, veterans affairs, the armed forces, the promotion and strengthening of states' rights, 
and military and naval affairs of the State. 
(32) The Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Ways and Means may consider 
and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the taxes of the state, tax credits, revenue and 
public debt of the state, and the interest thereon, and the administration of taxation and revenue laws.  
The committee may also inquire into and suggest to the House such changes, if any, that should be made   
 
in respect to existing sources of revenue and such new sources of revenue, if any, that in the judgment of 
the committee should be considered by the House.  The committee may also inquire into and suggest to 
the House such changes, if any, that should be made in respect to eliminating any existing sources of 
revenue, if any, that in the judgment of the committee should be considered by the House. 
Subcommittees 
 
Rule 25.  (1)  Establishment and Membership. The Speaker may establish a subcommittee of a regular 
or special standing committee.  A subcommittee shall consist of no more than one-half of the number of 
members of its regular or special standing committee.  Appropriations subcommittees may consist of 
members who are not members of the Committee on Budget.  Members of the subcommittee shall be 
appointed by the Speaker, except the minority members of the subcommittee shall be appointed by the 
Minority Floor Leader.  The membership of all subcommittees shall be composed, as nearly as may be, 
of majority and minority party members in the same proportion as the number of majority and minority 
party members in the House bears to the total elected membership of the House.  When establishing a 
subcommittee, the Speaker shall designate a member of the subcommittee as chair and may designate 
another member as vice chair. 
(2)  Duties. Subcommittees shall consider all issues or matters referred to them by their 
respective regular or special standing committee and shall report upon such issues or matters to their 
respective regular or special standing committee.  No bill or substitute shall be taken up for 
consideration by any subcommittee, except appropriations subcommittees established under Rule 
24(4)(c) may consider all bills referred to them by the Speaker and report upon such bills to the 
Committee on Budget as "Do Pass", "Without Recommendation", or "Do Pass with recommended 
committee amendment".   Appropriations subcommittees shall not report a bill as a House Committee 
Substitute.  Subcommittees, except for appropriations subcommittees, shall be authorized to hold 
hearings, sit, and act only during the hearing times allocated for their respective regular or special 
standing committees, unless otherwise granted by the Speaker.  Subcommittees shall be authorized to 
administer oaths and take testimony, either orally or by sworn written statement. 
(3)  Reports. Subcommittees may report to the House upon issues or matters referred to them.  
The Majority Floor Leader may call for reports from subcommittees at any time during the 
administrative order of business or during the regular order of business.  A quorum of the House need 
not be present to receive a report from a subcommittee.  Reports from subcommittees shall not be 
amended, no vote shall be taken, and no other motion shall be in order during receipt of a subcommittee 
report.  After receipt of a report from a subcommittee, debate and inquiry shall be allowed, but no 
member shall be allowed to speak or inquire for more than five minutes, except by leave of the Speaker. 
Duties of Committee Chair; Committee Organization 
 
Rule 26.  (1)  Duty to preside. It is the duty of the chair to preside at all sessions of the committee.  In 
the absence of the chair, the vice chair of the committee or a designee of the chair shall preside. 
(2)  Duty to maintain minute book. The chair shall see that a minute book is kept for his or her 
committee.  The minute book shall contain the attendance and voting records of the committee 
members, a brief statement of the business that comes before the committee, the names and signed 
witness forms of the persons and witnesses appearing before the committee and what side of a 
proposition they appeared on behalf of at the committee hearing, or if the appearance was informational   
 
in nature and neither for or against the proposition.  The Chief Clerk shall be the repository of the 
minute book after each session of the general assembly and shall submit the same to the Secretary of 
State prior to the next regular session. 
(3)  Duty to preserve order. The chair shall preserve order and decorum in and adjacent to the 
committee room and shall conduct all hearings in accordance with the Rules of the House including the 
provisions that relate to decorum, debate, and dress code.  The chair may punish breaches of order and 
decorum by censure and exclusion from the hearings. 
(4)  Bills, reports, and other documents. The chair shall have custody of all bills, papers, and 
other documents referred to the committee and shall make reports authorized by the committee and 
submit the same to the House without delay. 
(5)  When a bill fails. Whenever a motion that a bill "Do Pass" shall fail, or if there be an even 
division on the question, the chair shall report such bill back to the House "Do Not Pass" unless such bill 
is otherwise disposed of by another motion. 
(6)  When a motion has been decided by a committee, any member voting on the prevailing side 
may move to reconsider the vote provided that:  
(a)  The chair still has possession of the bill; and  
(b)  The motion to reconsider is made on the same day on which the motion was decided or 
within the next three occurrences in which the committee convenes with a quorum present at a properly 
scheduled meeting at which the original motion would be in order. A majority of the members 
appointed to the committee is required to sustain any motion to reconsider.  The motion to reconsider 
shall be a recorded vote. 
(7)  Training requirement. All committee chairs shall be required to attend committee chair 
training. 
Committee Hearings 
 
Rule 27.  (1)  All bills afforded a committee hearing shall be considered by giving the sponsor or 
handler, the proponents, the opponents, and those testifying for informational purposes a reasonable 
opportunity to be heard.  Persons addressing the committee shall keep their remarks to the point and 
avoid repetition and are subject to call to order by the chair for failure to do so.  In the discretion of the 
committee chair, the length of time allowed one speaker or questioner may be limited.  If the sponsor or 
handler is unable to attend the hearing, the sponsor may request in writing that another member appear 
on his or her behalf, which request shall be approved by the committee chair. 
(2)  A committee may allow for remote public testimony via telephone or video conferencing in 
the event of an emergency or if special accommodations are necessary with the approval of the 
committee chair and the Speaker.  If a committee is to consider remote testimony for specific legislation, 
that information shall be included on the committee notice so that individuals who desire to testify 
remotely may request to do so.  In order to allow remote testimony, the committee shall approve a 
remote testimony schedule, which shall include the length of time allowed for such testimony and any 
division of such time among proponents, opponents, and those who wish to testify for information 
purposes.  Only individuals who submit a completed, signed witness form shall be allowed to do so. 
(3)  Written testimony may be submitted online through the House website. 
Quorum 
   
 
Rule 28.  A majority of all committees of thirty or less, and fifteen members of all committees consisting 
of more than thirty members, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  A committee 
may meet with less than a quorum to hear testimony. 
Meetings - How Announced 
 
Rule 29.  (1)  Announcement of all meetings of committees shall include a statement of all matters to be 
considered at the meeting, shall include the bill or resolution numbers to be considered and shall be 
entered in the Journal prior to the day on which the meeting is to take place.  Such journal entry shall 
reflect the date, time, and location of the meeting. 
(2)  The chair of each committee shall give written notice of the time, date, place, and agenda of 
the meetings, including executive sessions, of his or her committee and each committee having matters 
pending before it shall hold a meeting at such time, date, and place unless excused by the Speaker.  
Notice shall be given at least one legislative day in advance of the committee meeting.  Notice may be 
reduced to twenty-four hours by unanimous consent of all members of the committee, whether in 
attendance or not.  Notice shall never be less than twenty-four hours.  All notices shall include posting of 
the notice outside the Speaker's office. 
(3)  No bill or resolution shall be considered in an executive session by the committee of initial 
referral unless the committee meeting notice required under subdivision (2) of this rule lists the bill or 
resolution for executive session, except when excused from such notice requirement by leave of the 
Speaker, and unless a public hearing has been held on the bill or resolution. 
(4)  Committees shall comply with the requirements of the statutes pertaining to open meetings. 
Committee Substitutes 
 
Rule 30.  No bill or substitute may be offered in the committee of initial referral unless such bill or 
substitute shall have been distributed to the members of the committee at least one legislative day and 
twenty-four hours in advance of such consideration.  Electronic distribution shall be an acceptable form 
of distribution.  This rule may be waived by unanimous consent of all members of the committee, 
whether in attendance or not.  Failure to take the bill up for consideration at the designated time requires 
that one legislative day and twenty-four hours' notice be given again before it is taken up for 
consideration. 
House Committee Bills 
 
Rule 31.  (1)  Any regular or special standing committee shall have the authority to introduce upon 
report a House Committee Bill.  The chair of the committee or his or her designee shall be the handler of 
the bill.  No committee shall introduce upon report any House Committee Bill after April 1.  The 
number of House Committee Bills allowed to be introduced by a regular or special standing committee 
shall be limited by the Speaker.  The total number of House Committee Bills allowed to be introduced 
by all regular and special standing committees shall not exceed three times the number of regular 
standing committees. 
(2)  No House Committee Bill shall be taken up for consideration by a committee unless a draft 
of such bill shall have been distributed to the members of the committee at least one legislative day and 
twenty-four hours in advance of such consideration.  Such drafts shall be made available online   
 
immediately upon distribution. Electronic distribution shall be an acceptable form of distribution. 
(3)  The chair of the committee or his or her designee, the proponents, opponents, or persons 
testifying for informational purposes may be called to testify during the hearing to draft the House 
Committee Bill; any input or testimony provided shall be based on the subject matter contained in the 
draft that was distributed in advance as provided in subdivision (2) of this rule. 
(4)  Upon motion, the committee is authorized to report that the draft House Committee Bill be 
introduced.  After being read a first and second time, the House Committee Bill shall be referred to a 
Committee on Rules. 
(5)  The Committee on Rules is hereby authorized to report the bill "Do Pass" to the House or 
send the bill back to the originating committee.  If a Committee on Rules sends the bill back to the 
originating committee, that committee may amend the bill and report the bill again without the need to 
reconsider the initial vote.  In reviewing bills referred to it from another committee, a Committee on 
Rules may conduct a hearing and take such testimony as it deems appropriate to make its decisions.  The 
Committee on Rules shall not amend any House Committee Bill. 
Other Duties 
 
Rule 32.  Each committee, in addition to the duties above prescribed, shall perform such other duties as 
may be required by the House.  If it shall become necessary to compel the presence of any person before 
a committee, the production of records or documents, or to receive sworn testimony before a committee, 
a subpoena may be issued under the hand of the Speaker as provided by law.  The chair of the 
committee shall be authorized to administer oaths and take testimony, either orally or by sworn written 
statement.  Any person who knowingly testifies falsely upon such oath or affirmation may face criminal 
penalties for perjury or other offenses as provided by law. 
Attendance 
 
Rule 33.  The secretary of each committee shall keep a record of the attendance of each committee 
meeting in the minute book of the committee, which shall be available to any person upon request.  Any 
member of a committee absent, without good cause, from three consecutive meetings of the committee, 
as shown by the records of the committee, may be dropped therefrom by a statement to that effect 
entered into the House Journal by the Speaker.  The roll shall be recorded by the chair or secretary of a 
committee at each meeting. 
Minority Views 
 
Rule 34.  The minority of a committee may not make a report or present to the House an alternative 
report, but has the right to file views to accompany the report. 
Committee Relieved of Bill - When 
 
Rule 35.  No bill shall be taken away from any regular standing committee or special standing 
committee, as provided by the Constitution, until after ten legislative days have expired after referral to 
the committee by the Speaker.  Pursuant to the Constitution, one-third of the members of the House shall 
have the power to relieve a committee of any bill. Such power may be exercised by filing a petition to   
 
that effect with the Chief Clerk.  Upon receipt of such petition containing the signatures of at least fifty-
five members, the Chief Clerk shall publish such petition in the Journal and place the discharged bill 
upon the formal calendar. 
Election Contest 
 
Rule 36.  Whenever there shall be filed with the Speaker a notice of contest of the election of a member 
of the House, he or she shall refer the same, without discussion, either to the regular standing Committee 
on Elections or a special standing committee appointed to hear the matter.  Such committee shall 
examine the timeliness and sufficiency of the notice, the depositions, and other documents submitted 
and report to the House its recommendations, whereupon the House shall act by resolution to sustain or 
reject the committee recommendations. 
Ethics Committee 
Complaints of Ethical Misconduct 
 
Rule 37.  (1)  (a)  The Speaker shall appoint a Committee on Ethics and name the committee's chair.  
The Minority Floor Leader shall name the committee's vice chair and minority members.  The 
committee shall have an equal number of members of the majority and minority party. 
(b)  The committee may consider and report upon complaints referred to it relating to a member 
of the House involving the commission of a crime, misconduct, willful neglect of duty, corruption in 
office, or other complaints relating to the ethical conduct of a member, which may include actions that 
occurred prior to the current general assembly.   The committee is authorized to sit and act at any time or 
place within the State of Missouri during the recess and adjournment periods of the House, administer 
oaths, and take testimony, either orally or by sworn written statement. 
(c)  No later than January 31st of the first regular session of each general assembly, the 
Committee on Ethics shall adopt Rules of Procedure for the investigation of complaints of ethical 
misconduct referred to it involving a member of the House.  The proposed Rules of Procedure shall be 
filed by the committee in the form of a House Resolution with the Clerk of the House, reported in the 
Journal, and automatically placed on the House Resolutions Calendar without further referral. 
(d)  Upon receipt of a complaint, in writing and under oath, of ethical misconduct by a member 
of the House made by another member, the Speaker shall refer the same, within fourteen calendar days, 
without discussion, to the Committee on Ethics.  Upon referral of a complaint to the committee, the 
Speaker shall deliver a memorandum to the Clerk of the House documenting the date of referral.  The 
complaint shall be confidential.  The Committee shall examine the sufficiency of the complaint pursuant 
to the Committee's Rules of Procedure. 
(e)  At the conclusion of the investigation, the Committee shall report its findings, conclusions, 
and recommendations to the House. If the committee recommends any disciplinary action, the House 
shall act by resolution to sustain or reject the Committee recommendations.  The Committee may 
recommend that the House expel, or otherwise punish, the member as provided in Article III, Section 18 
of the Missouri Constitution. 
(f)  All rules that pertain to regular or special standing committees shall apply to the Committee 
on Ethics to the extent consistent with this rule and any rules of procedure adopted pursuant to this rule. 
(2)  In any instance of a complaint of sexual harassment made either by or against a member, the   
 
Chief Clerk of the House shall contract with outside legal counsel for the purpose of investigating the 
complaint.  All complaints shall be kept confidential.   The Chief Clerk shall ensure the complaint and 
any results of an investigation shall be referred within fourteen calendar days of receipt of the complaint 
to the chair and ranking vice chair of the Committee on Ethics; except that, the fourteen-day referral 
requirement may be extended for good cause for a period no longer than thirty days.  The Committee on 
Ethics Rules of Procedure and the House policy handbook shall be harmonized with the Rules of the 
House for the investigation of sexual harassment complaints. 
(3)  Unfinished business before or reported from the Committee on Ethics of a previous general 
assembly may be resumed during a subsequent general assembly. 
BILLS 
Referral 
 
Rule 38.  The Speaker shall refer all bills and resolutions to a committee.  The Speaker may re-refer any 
bill or resolution previously referred to a committee prior to a public hearing being held on the bill. 
Introduced - Manner of Setting Forth New and Old Material 
 
Rule 39.  (1)  When. Bills may be introduced only on the report of a committee or by any member of the 
House, in the administrative or regular order of business.  No member shall file a bill, other than an 
appropriation bill, after March 1, without leave of the House.  No committee shall introduce upon report 
any House Committee Bill after April 1. 
(2)  Manner of Printing. Any bill shall have the matter which is being repealed from current law 
enclosed in bold-faced brackets and the matter which is being added to the law underscored when 
typewritten and in bold-faced type when printed.  In addition, the Chief Clerk may adjust the formatting 
of printed bills in the House in order to increase readability.  A footnote shall be annexed to the first 
page of each bill which contains material enclosed in bold-faced brackets to the following effect:  
 
"EXPLANATION - Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets in the above bill is not enacted and is 
intended to be omitted from the law. Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.".  
 
Where a section is completely rewritten, the existing section shall be set forth in small type in bold-faced 
brackets in a note following the new section but the changes need not be distinguished. Any House bill 
or substitute thereof which does not comply with this rule shall not be placed upon the calendar. 
(3)  Numbering of Bills. The Chief Clerk shall number bills in the order of their filing, reserving 
numbers for appropriations bills. 
(4)  Withdrawal. Any bill may be withdrawn by the sponsor before the bill has been referred to 
any regular or special standing committee. 
Number of Copies Printed 
 
Rule 40.  The Chief Clerk shall print such number of copies of all House Bills and House Joint 
Resolutions as he or she shall deem appropriate.   
 
Federal Mandate Calendar 
 
Rule 41.  (1)  When a federal mandate bill is reported from the appropriate committee with 
recommendation that it "Do Pass" or "Without Recommendation", it shall go upon the calendar of the 
House. 
(2)  No bill shall be placed on a Federal Mandate Calendar unless it is federally mandated, 
immediate in nature, and reduces revenues or savings if not enacted.  A federal mandate bill may only 
contain subject matter concerning the federal mandate.  A member wishing for his or her bill to be 
considered for placement on the Federal Mandate Calendar shall request in writing to the chair of the 
committee where such bill has been referred.  The written request shall state the deadline by which the 
state must comply with the federal mandate and what will happen if the state fails to take action by such 
date.  A copy for each committee member of the federal statute or regulation mandating such action 
shall accompany the request.  After the committee has voted "Do Pass" on a bill with such a request, it 
shall take a second recorded vote on whether to recommend that it be placed on the Federal Mandate 
Calendar.  If said bill is reported "Do Pass" by a regular standing committee with a recommendation that 
same be placed on the Federal Mandate Calendar, the chair of the committee shall submit to the Speaker 
a copy of the original written request, along with a copy of the federal statute or regulation mandating 
State action.  If the Speaker concurs with the committee that the bill complies with the requirements of 
this rule, he or she shall advise the Chief Clerk to place same on the Federal Mandate Calendar.  If the 
Speaker does not concur, he or she may place the bill on the Perfection Calendar.  Each bill placed upon 
the Federal Mandate Calendars shall have attached thereto a copy of the federal statute or regulation that 
mandates the bill, along with a copy of the request to place the bill on the Federal Mandate Calendar and 
shall be distributed to all members at least twenty-four hours prior to consideration by the entire House. 
Revision Bills 
 
Rule 42.  Any bill denominated as a revision bill by the appropriate committee shall contain only that 
subject matter approved by the committee on legislative research, and additional material may not be 
amended thereto, unless needed as a technical correction. 
Motion To Place On Calendar 
 
Rule 43.  If any bill is reported from committee with the recommendation that it "Do Not Pass" it shall 
not go on the calendar of the House unless ordered by a constitutional majority.  At the same time the 
bill is reported to the House, the committee chair shall notify the sponsor or handler of the bill that such 
report is being made.  A motion to have a bill placed upon the calendar shall be made within three 
legislative days after the bill is reported and when the sponsor of the bill is present or the motion is made 
by a member upon the sponsor's written request.  If no such action is taken within such time, the bill 
shall lie on the table.  If such a motion is sustained, the bill shall be referred to a Committee on Rules for 
further action thereon. 
Timing of Placement on Calendar 
 
Rule 44.  No House bill shall be taken up for initial consideration by the House unless it has been upon 
the calendar for at least one legislative day.   
 
Bills Laid Over Informally 
 
Rule 45.  When a bill is reached, in its order, to be perfected and printed, or to be third read and finally 
passed, it may, upon the request of the Majority Floor Leader or the sponsor or handler thereof if a 
House Bill, or upon the request of its handler in the House if a Senate Bill, hold its place on the calendar 
or be laid over informally and thereafter be called up at any time when otherwise in order. 
To Appear In Order 
 
Rule 46.  All bills laid over informally and not taken up and disposed of the same day shall appear in 
order upon the calendar for the next legislative day following. 
Ten Day Rule 
 
Rule 47.  If a bill laid over informally is not taken up for further consideration within ten legislative days 
after being laid over, it shall lie on the table and be dropped from the calendar of the House without 
further action of the House. 
Consent Calendar 
 
Rule 48.  (1)  Which Bills May Be Placed on the Consent Calendar. Each regular standing committee, 
after a favorable vote on a bill, may further determine by a second and affirmative vote of every member 
present whether such bill is of a noncontroversial nature and qualifies for consent status.  Bills that 
specifically authorize an easement or right-of-way involving state property shall qualify for consent 
status.  A bill shall not be considered for consent status if it: 
(a)  Is of a controversial nature; 
(b)  Makes a substantial policy change; 
(c)  Increases net expenditures of the state; 
(d)  Reduces net revenue of the state; or 
(e)  Creates or expands a penalty provision. 
 
If it has been determined by the regular standing committee that such bill is of a noncontroversial nature 
and meets all consent requirements, the regular standing committee shall report the bill to the Committee 
on Consent and Procedure as "Do Pass - Consent".  The Committee on Consent and Procedure may 
decide by a majority affirmative vote of those present whether to place the bill on the appropriate 
consent calendar. 
(2)  Procedure on House Bills. If the regular standing committee shall so determine, the 
appropriate committee report shall include a request that a bill be placed on the House Consent Calendar 
for Perfection.  Any bill so reported shall automatically be referred to the Committee on Consent and 
Procedure.  Any bill reported by the Committee on Consent and Procedure with the recommendation 
that it be placed on the House Consent Calendar for Perfection may be placed on that calendar if the 
Speaker concurs with the recommendation.  If the Speaker does not concur, he or she may place the bill 
on the Perfection Calendar.  After such bill has remained on the House Consent Calendar for Perfection 
for five legislative days, it shall be ordered perfected and advanced to the House Consent Calendar for 
Third Reading and Final Passage without further action of the House, unless five members, with at least   
 
two from each political party, have filed written objection with the Chief Clerk.  If such objections are 
filed, the bill shall be placed on the House Bills to be Perfected and Printed Calendar.  An objection 
made by five members under this rule cannot be rescinded.  
(3)  Senate Bills - Consent. When the Senate passes a bill by its procedure for consent bills, such 
bill shall be considered for treatment as a consent bill by the House committee without further request; 
provided however, that the same committee procedures, votes, and requirements for House Bills being 
considered for consent shall be applied to Senate Bills being considered for consent.  A Senate Bill may 
be considered by the committee for consent even if it was not a consent bill in the Senate. 
(4)  Procedure on Senate Bills. Senate Bills passed out of the appropriate House regular 
standing committee and the Committee on Consent and Procedure with the request that the bill be placed 
on the Senate Bills for Third Reading and Final Passage - Consent Calendar are subject to the five 
member objection provision of this rule. 
(5)  Deadline for Placing Senate Consent Bills on the Calendar. No Senate consent bills shall be 
placed on the consent calendar after April 15. 
(6)  Amendments. House bills may be considered for consent after they are amended in 
committee but may not be amended on the floor of the House. 
 
Senate consent bills may be amended in committee but not on the floor of the House unless the Senate 
Rules allow amendment of House consent bills on the floor of the Senate, in which case Senate consent 
bills may be amended on the floor of the House.  House committee amendments to Senate consent bills 
shall be deemed adopted on the fifth legislative day. 
AMENDMENTS AND SUBSTITUTES 
 
Rule 49.  (1)  In Writing and Distributed in Advance.  
(a)  Proposed amendments shall be reduced to writing.   
(b)  Every amendment shall be distributed in advance of the time the bill is initially taken up for 
consideration.  An amendment shall be considered to have been distributed if it has been either 
transmitted electronically and made available on each member's chamber laptop computer and a copy in 
paper form placed on the desk of the Majority Floor Leader and Minority Floor Leader or placed on the 
members' desks in paper form, except for the desk of any member who has waived receipt of 
amendments.  An amendment to a House Substitute shall be considered timely if it is distributed prior to 
the motion being made to adopt the House Substitute.    
(c)  The sponsor of an amendment that has been distributed may make technical corrections at 
the time the amendment is offered or under consideration.  Any technical corrections shall be read in full 
by the clerk.  Technical corrections shall be subject to a point of order that they are not truly technical in 
nature.   
(d)  The sponsor of an amendment shall not otherwise amend or substitute his or her own 
amendment.   
(e)  Every proposed amendment to the amendment and substitute amendment may be offered 
after the time a bill is initially taken up for consideration but shall be distributed prior to the offeror 
inquiring or speaking on the underlying amendment. 
(f)  Amendments shall be prepared by House Research or House Appropriations and filed with 
the Chief Clerk. 
(2)  What Amendments and Substitute Amendments are in Order. When a bill, motion, or   
 
proposition is under consideration, a motion to amend and a motion to amend that amendment shall be 
in order, and it also shall be in order to offer a further amendment by way of substitute for the original 
motion to amend, to which one amendment may be offered. 
(a)  It shall not be in order to offer a substitute amendment to an amendment to an amendment. 
(b)  When an amendment is offered, a substitute for that amendment is offered, and an 
amendment to the substitute is offered, it shall not be in order to offer a substitute for the amendment to 
the substitute. 
(c)  Any proposed amendment in the third degree shall be out of order. 
(d)  Any motion to adopt an amendment may be withdrawn by the sponsor before decision 
thereon. 
(e)  Once a bill has been amended, it shall be in the possession of the House. 
(f)  If a proposed amendment has been defeated, the same amendment shall not be proposed 
again.  An amendment identical to one previously decided on the same bill is not in order, except for 
amendments to appropriations bills. 
(3)  Committee Substitutes Treated as Original. A House Committee Substitute shall be 
considered as an original bill for purposes of amendment. 
(4)  House Substitute. No House Substitute will be in order except those reported from the 
House Committee on Legislative Review.  No House amendment which, in the opinion of the Speaker, 
is effectually replacing the underlying bill or committee substitute will be in order. 
(a)  A bill may be sent to the Committee on Legislative Review prior to the adoption of any 
House Committee Substitute; prior to the bill's perfection, if a House bill; or prior to third reading, if a 
Senate bill. 
(b)  A House Substitute shall take the form of an original bill and is subject to floor amendments, 
except that it shall not be subject to an amendment by a subsequent House Substitute. 
(c)  Any House Substitute reported from the Committee on Legislative Review shall lie on the 
calendar at least one legislative day in advance of consideration on the House floor. 
(d)  A House Substitute reported from the Committee on Legislative Review shall not be offered 
on the House floor in the form of an amendment.  
(5)  When Federal Mandate Bills can be Amended. Amendments to House and Senate bills-
Federal Mandate are permitted only within the scope of the federal mandate.  Perfecting amendments are 
permitted to make technical amendments. 
(6)  Appropriations Bills.   
(a)  No amendment to the appropriations bills of the state budget shall be in order if it increases 
the total amount of general revenue or general revenue equivalent appropriated in the House 
appropriations bills.  Any amendment that increases the amount of general revenue or general revenue 
equivalent appropriated in the House appropriations bills shall be required to be submitted with a 
separate amendment that makes an equal reduction in general revenue or general revenue equivalent in 
the same bill or any other of the bills still pending. If the reduction is in another bill, the decreasing 
amendment shall be taken up first, and the increasing amendment may be taken up only if the decreasing 
amendment is adopted.  When a pair of amendments is submitted, the decreasing amendment shall be 
required to clearly identify the corresponding increasing amendment. 
(b)  If a member's decreasing amendment is adopted and the same member's increasing 
amendment is defeated, the decreasing amendment's adoption is moot. 
(c)  The offering and adoption of an amendment decreasing the amount of general revenue or 
general revenue equivalent appropriated without a balancing increase creates no right of another   
 
member to offer an increasing amendment in any amount up to the amount of the decrease effected by 
the decreasing amendment, and no member may be recognized for the purpose of making such an 
amendment. 
(d)  For the perfection of the House appropriations bills of the state budget only, it shall be 
permissible to amend any line item as often as the House pleases, as long as prior adopted amendments 
to the line item are taken into account. 
(e)  Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, neither substitute amendments nor amendments to 
amendments shall be in order for any appropriations bill other than technical corrections under Rule 
49(1). 
Committee Substitute Printed 
 
Rule 50.  When a committee recommends a substitute for a bill, the original bill will accompany the 
substitute.  The substitute shall be handled on the floor of the House by the committee chair or any 
member designated by the committee chair.  The Chief Clerk shall have an appropriate number of copies 
of the substitute printed.  No committee substitute shall be called from the calendar of the House until 
the printed copies have been distributed for at least one legislative day.  Amendments, if any, may be 
offered to the substitute before the vote on the motion to adopt the substitute is taken.  If the substitute is 
defeated, the original bill shall be before the House for perfection and shall be considered and shall be 
handled on the floor by the original sponsor of the bill.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, the 
Speaker may, at any time, change the House handler of any bill or substitute unless the sponsor of the 
House bill objects. 
Order of Amendments 
 
Rule 51.  When amendments to any bill, motion, or proposition are pending, they shall be voted on in 
the following order: 
(1)  Amendments to the amendment are disposed of before the substitute is taken up.  Only one 
amendment to the amendment is in order at one time; but as rapidly as one is disposed of by rejection or 
incorporation as a part of the amendment, another is in order as long as any member desires to offer one. 
(2)  Amendments to the substitute are next voted on, and may be offered, one at a time, and as 
rapidly as one is disposed of by rejection or incorporation as a part of the substitute amendment, another 
is in order as long as any member desires to offer one, until the substitute amendment is adopted. 
(3)  The substitute amendment, as amended, is next voted on.  If the substitute amendment is 
adopted, the underlying amendment to which it was offered shall not be voted upon, but the substitute 
amendment shall become part of the bill. 
(4)  The amendment is voted on last.  If any substitute has not been agreed to, the vote comes on 
the amendment as amended. 
(5)  The House Committee Substitute is next voted upon, after opportunity for amendment.  If 
the House Committee Substitute is adopted, there shall be an additional vote for the perfection of the 
bill, as amended. 
(6)  If there is no House Committee Substitute, or if the House Committee Substitute is not 
adopted, the original House Bill is next voted upon, after opportunity for amendment. 
Amendments Incorporated In Bill   
 
 
Rule 52.  All amendments adopted by the House to a bill originating in the House shall be incorporated 
in the bill as perfected, and the bill, as thus perfected, shall be printed for the use of the members before 
its final passage, provided that the bill shall be subject to a titling amendment before the vote on 
perfection is taken.  For purposes of this rule, a titling amendment shall not count against the Rule 87 
prohibition on speaking twice on the same question.  The perfecting and printing shall be done under the 
supervision of the Chief Clerk who shall assure that the bill is truly perfected and the printed copies 
furnished to the members are correct. 
BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS 
Ayes and Noes Taken 
 
Rule 53.  When a bill shall have passed the House and been returned from the Senate with amendments, 
such amendments may be concurred in collectively by a constitutional majority, unless objection be 
made, in which case the vote shall be taken severally, and no amendment or amendments shall be 
concurred in by the House except by a constitutional majority and the names of those voting for and 
against recorded upon the Journal of the House. 
Repassage 
 
Rule 54.  When all Senate amendments to House Bills have been concurred in by a constitutional 
majority of the House, the question shall then be put: "Shall the bill as amended be truly agreed to and 
finally passed?".  On this question the ayes and noes shall be called for, and as on first passage, a 
constitutional majority shall be necessary to the final passage of the bill. 
Majority to Perfect 
 
Rule 55.  A quorum being present, a majority of those voting aye and no shall be sufficient to perfect a 
bill and order it printed. 
Amending After Perfection; Perfecting Amendments 
 
Rule 56.  No bill shall be amended after being perfected and printed without a reconsideration of the 
vote by which it was ordered perfected and printed and if such bill be amended, it shall again be 
perfected and printed, except that a perfecting amendment to make technical corrections is in order after 
the bill has been ordered perfected and printed and before it has been read the third time. 
Motion for Passage 
 
Rule 57.  When the Chief Clerk presents a bill as perfected and printed, it shall go upon the calendar to 
be agreed to and passed.  When the bill is taken up in its order, the question shall then be: "Shall the bill 
be third read and passed?".  It shall require a constitutional majority to sustain the question. 
Course After Passage 
   
 
Rule 58.  When a bill or joint or concurrent resolution passes the House, it shall be certified by the Chief 
Clerk, noting the day of its passage at the foot thereof. 
Perfecting Amendments on Bills Returned From the Senate 
 
Rule 59.  No bill or joint or concurrent resolution that has been returned from the Senate may be further 
amended without placing the bill in conference. 
Conference Reports 
 
Rule 60.  (1)  Signatures on a Conference Report. All conference committees shall be composed of five 
conferees from each chamber.  No conference report shall be submitted to either chamber unless 
approved by a majority vote of the full committee with not less than three conferees from the House and 
two conferees from the Senate signing the report. 
(2)  Review for Correctness. Before a conference report is referred to the Regular Standing 
Committee on Fiscal Review, it shall be reviewed for the technical correctness of the report and of any 
amendments, bill, or substitute the report recommends for passage by the House. 
(3)  Notice Requirements. No conference committee report shall be taken up and considered 
unless the same has been distributed to the members at least one legislative day prior to consideration.  
(4)  Exceeding the Differences. Unless authority is granted by the House to exceed the 
differences, the conferees shall confine themselves to matters that are within the scope of the differences 
between the House position and the Senate position.  When a report is offered for adoption, the point of 
order that the conferees have exceeded the differences shall be in order.  The Speaker may rule on the 
point of order or may place the question of whether the conferees have exceeded the differences before 
the House for a vote.  A majority of members voting prevails on the question. 
RESOLUTIONS  
Joint and Concurrent Resolutions 
 
Rule 61.  All joint and concurrent resolutions designed to submit to the qualified voters of the state 
amendments to the Constitution of the State of Missouri, to be voted upon by such voters, shall be read 
on three separate days, and shall be reported upon by the committee of the House, and shall otherwise be 
proceeded upon in like manner as a bill. 
Resolutions of Congress 
 
Rule 62.  All joint and concurrent resolutions of the Congress of the United States designed to submit to 
the legislature an amendment to the Constitution of the United States shall be submitted as a Concurrent 
Resolution and read on three separate days, shall be reported upon by a committee, shall be adopted only 
by a constitutional majority and shall otherwise be proceeded upon in like manner as a bill.  The text of 
the amendment as proposed by the Congress of the United States shall not be amended. 
Reference of Resolutions, etc. Stand Referred 
   
 
Rule 63.  (1)  All petitions, memorials, remonstrances, resolutions, and other papers offered shall stand 
referred, without reading, consideration, discussion, explanation, or debate, to the Committee on 
Consent and Procedure unless timely referred to some other appropriate committee by the Speaker.  
Resolutions informing the Governor or the Senate that the House has convened, taken some action, or 
adjourned, resolutions to elect officers of the House, resolutions expressing the appreciation of the 
House to public officials, resolutions to adopt temporary rules, and concurrent resolutions to convene 
joint sessions may be adopted by the House upon introduction without referral to committee.  Those 
papers that are favorably recommended by the committee for adoption by the House shall be listed in the 
Journal and placed upon a resolutions calendar. 
(2)  Joint courtesy resolutions shall be allowed if established by the rules of the Senate. 
(3)  Any resolution offered to request an investigation of a state official for the purposes of 
impeachment shall be referred to any committee designated by the Speaker.  Articles of impeachment 
shall only be introduced by the committee designated to investigate the matter and shall be read on three 
separate days by journal entry. 
SENATE BILLS 
Referral 
 
Rule 64.  Each Senate Bill shall, upon second reading, be referred to the appropriate committee of the 
House.    
Go Upon The Calendar 
 
Rule 65.  When a Senate Bill is reported from the committee to which it was referred with the 
recommendation that it "Do Pass", or "Without Recommendation", it shall be referred to a Committee 
on Rules.  When a Senate Bill is reported from a Committee on Rules with the recommendation that it 
"Do Pass", or "Without Recommendation", it shall go upon the House Calendar for the third reading and 
final passage, provided that no Senate Bill shall be taken up for initial consideration by the House unless 
it has been upon the Calendar for at least one legislative day. 
Senate Bills Reported "Do Not Pass" 
 
Rule 66.  If a Senate Bill is reported from the committee to which it was referred with the 
recommendation that it "Do Not Pass" it shall not go upon the calendar of the House for third reading 
and final passage, unless so ordered by a constitutional majority of the House.  In such case, the motion 
to place the bill on the calendar shall be made within three legislative days of the report and by a 
member who has been requested by the Senate sponsor of the bill.  If such a motion is sustained, the bill 
shall be referred to a Committee on Rules for further action thereon. 
Amendments 
 
Rule 67.  Senate Bills may be amended by the House when placed upon third reading and final passage, 
and any Senate bill so amended shall be subject to a titling amendment before the final vote is taken 
thereon.   
 
BILLS NOT TO BE PASSED ON PREVIOUS ROLL CALL 
 
Rule 68.  No bill shall be passed by any roll call previously taken on another bill, nor shall more than 
one bill be passed on any one roll call. 
MOTIONS, DEBATE, and FLOOR PROCEEDINGS 
Shall Be Read or Stated Before Debate 
 
Rule 69.  When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the chair before being debated. 
When In Possession of the House 
 
Rule 70.  When a motion is stated by the Speaker, it shall be deemed to be in possession of the House.  
The motion may be withdrawn by the author at any time before a decision. 
To Be Reduced to Writing 
 
Rule 71.  Every motion shall be reduced to writing if the Speaker or any member demands it. 
Shall Be Germane 
 
Rule 72.  All motions pertaining to a bill, including amendments, substitute amendments, and 
amendments to the amendment, must be germane to the subject of the bill.  All amendments to 
amendments and substitute amendments must be germane to the underlying amendment. 
Privileged 
 
Rule 73.  When a question is under debate, no motion shall be entertained but to adjourn; to take a 
recess; to lay on the table; for the previous question; to postpone to a certain day; to recommit to 
committee; to postpone indefinitely; or to consider a veto or withhold override; which several motions 
shall have precedence in the order herein set forth. 
Dilatory 
 
Rule 74.  When any motion has been made and lost, no similar motion shall be entertained until some 
other business is transacted by the House. 
Privileged Motions In Order - When 
 
Rule 75.  Except as otherwise limited herein, and except when a member is speaking or the roll is being 
called, the privileged motions set forth in Rule 73 are always in order, and pending the result of such a 
motion, no member shall leave his or her seat in the House. 
Previous Question 
   
 
Rule 76.  Any member may move the previous question. The motion shall be restated by the Speaker in 
this form: "Shall the question under immediate consideration be now put?".  It may be moved like any 
other question but it shall only prevail when supported by a constitutional majority and until decided 
shall preclude amendments and debate.  If the motion is sustained, the proponent of the matter under 
consideration shall be allowed one minute in which to make a closing statement before the House votes 
on the question.  A failure to sustain the motion shall not take the matter under consideration from 
further consideration of the House; but the House shall proceed as if the motion had not been made. 
Not Debatable 
 
Rule 77.  Motions to adjourn and for the previous question shall be decided without debate; provided 
however, that a motion to adjourn is subject to a request by five members for a roll call vote.  All other 
privileged motions are debatable. 
Division of Questions 
 
Rule 78.  Any member may have, as a personal right, a division of the question where the sense will 
admit of it.  The question shall be divided into clearly separate and distinct propositions.  The Speaker 
may take a division of the question under advisement; provided that, he or she rules on the division 
before any other action on the question.  When the question having been divided is a Senate Bill for 
Third Reading, each part of the bill shall be voted upon separately and a subsequent separate vote shall 
be taken on the entire bill.  When a bill is divided for consideration, the title and enacting clause shall be 
considered a separate part and shall, unless otherwise amended, be technically changed to reflect any 
amendments or deletions to the bill.  No House Bill shall be subject to a division of the question after its 
perfection.  No Senate Bill shall be subject to a division of the question unless the bill has been 
amended. 
Indefinite Postponement 
 
Rule 79.  When a question is postponed indefinitely, the same shall not be acted upon again during the 
session. 
Question Laid on the Table - How Taken Up 
 
Rule 80.  When a question has been laid on the table, the same cannot be taken up again without a vote 
of two-thirds of the members present. 
Motion to Recommit to Committee 
 
Rule 81.  Any member may make a motion, at any time prior to the time such bill is third read and 
passed, that a bill be recommitted to the committee from which it was reported or that a bill be 
committed to another specifically named committee in the original form of the bill as it was referred to 
the committee of origin, which shall be sustained if a majority of the members present vote in the 
affirmative.   
 
Motion to Reconsider - Shall Be Made Within Three Days  
 
Rule 82.  When a motion that a bill be perfected and printed, or that a bill be agreed to, read a third time, 
and placed upon its passage fails, or when any other question is decided by the House, any member 
voting on the prevailing side may move to reconsider the vote, provided that the motion to reconsider is 
made within three legislative days after the day on which the vote was taken. 
Procedure for Motion to Reconsider 
 
Rule 83.  A constitutional majority is required to sustain any motion to reconsider.  If the motion to 
reconsider is sustained, the House shall proceed to the original question or motion immediately before 
proceeding to other questions; whereupon the original question shall be voted upon before any other 
business of the House is transacted. This shall not preclude further debate or amendment of the 
proposition, if otherwise appropriate.  Any motion to reconsider having failed once shall not be 
reconsidered again, except to reconsider the vote by which an appropriation bill failed to pass.  In the 
case of an appropriation bill, the motion to reconsider may be considered as many times as the House 
chooses. 
On Speaking 
 
Rule 84.  When any member is about to speak in a debate or deliver a matter to the House, he or she 
shall rise from his or her seat and respectfully address himself or herself to "Mr. Speaker" or "Madam 
Speaker".  The member shall refer, as appropriate, to other members as "Lady", "Gentleman" or 
"Representative".  The member shall confine himself or herself to the questions under debate and avoid 
personality and derogatory personal comments.  If any member violates the rules of the House, the 
Speaker, or any member, may call him or her to order. Any member called to order shall immediately sit 
down, unless permitted to explain, and the House shall, if appealed to, decide the case. 
Appeals 
 
Rule 85.  If there is no appeal, the decision of the Speaker is final. If the decision of the Speaker is in 
favor of the member called to order, he or she may proceed; if otherwise, and the case requires it, he or 
she shall be liable to the censure of the House. 
Member to Rise or Seek Recognition 
 
Rule 86.  The Speaker shall not recognize any member desiring to speak unless such member arises or 
appropriately seeks recognition at or near his or her desk.  When two or more members seek recognition 
at the same time, the Speaker shall name the member who is to speak first, the other members having the 
preference next to speak. 
Member May Speak - How Often 
 
Rule 87.  No member shall speak more than twice on the same question without leave of the House, nor 
more than once until all other members desiring to speak have spoken. Except when reporting a bill or   
 
resolution from a committee, no member may speak or inquire for more than fifteen minutes unless by 
unanimous consent of the House.  When the question is to third read and pass a House Bill or House 
Joint Resolution, no member may speak or inquire for more than five minutes unless by unanimous 
consent of the House.  When the question is to third read and pass a House Consent Bill or a Senate 
Consent Bill, the floor handler of the bill and the ranking committee member from the party not the 
same as the bill handler shall not speak or inquire for more than ten minutes.  Other members shall not 
speak or inquire for more than five minutes on such bills.  The provisions of this rule shall not take 
precedence over any limitations set pursuant to Rule 24 (28). 
No Member Shall Name Another Member in Debate 
 
Rule 88.  No member shall name another member in debate, but shall refer to the member by district 
number or county. 
Members Not to Use Profanity 
 
Rule 89.  No member may use profanity either while speaking on the floor or in committee. 
Members Not to Walk Across House - When 
 
Rule 90.  While the Speaker is putting any question or addressing the House, no one shall walk out of or 
cross the House.  When a member is speaking, no member shall engage in any private conversation; nor 
while a member is speaking shall anyone pass between him or her and the Speaker.  No member shall 
walk between two members who are engaged in debate or inquiries in the Hall of the House. 
Order of Questions 
 
Rule 91.  Except as otherwise set forth in these rules, all questions shall be propounded in the order in 
which they are moved except privileged questions, which shall be propounded as stated in Rule 73. 
CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY AND QUORUM 
 
Rule 92.  The term "constitutional majority", as used herein, shall mean eighty-two members of the 
House.  A quorum shall be required at any time bills are considered, motions are made, or votes are 
taken. 
Voting 
 
Rule 93.  (1)  Every member shall be present within the Hall of the House during its sittings, unless 
excused or necessarily prevented, and shall vote on each question put, unless he or she has a direct 
personal or pecuniary interest in such question.  No member shall be recorded as voting when he or she 
was not present when the vote was taken.  Nothing herein contained shall prohibit a member from voting 
"Present" on a question, and such vote shall be recorded in the Journal.  In the case of equal division, the 
question shall be lost.  In the event that a member's vote or absence is incorrectly recorded in the 
Journal, he or she shall file with the Chief Clerk an affidavit stating that he or she was in the chamber at   
 
the time the vote was taken, that he or she did in fact vote, that the vote or absence was incorrectly 
recorded, and the correct vote that should have been recorded.  In addition to any other penalty provided 
by rule or law, the filing of a false affidavit shall subject that member to censure by the House. 
(2)  A member may not authorize any other person to cast his or her vote or record his or her 
presence.  No other person may cast a member's vote or record a member's presence.  A vote by a 
member of a committee with respect to any measure or matter may not be cast by proxy. 
Verification of the Roll 
Members Not to Interrupt Calling of Ayes and Noes; Changing Vote 
 
Rule 94.  Except as otherwise specifically allowed by these rules, no member shall be permitted to 
interrupt a roll call, and no member shall be allowed to vote or change his or her vote, except to have his 
or her vote correctly recorded, after a verification has begun or after the final vote is announced. 
Demand for Verification 
 
Rule 95.  Any five members may demand a verification of the roll call if such is made at any time prior 
to the time the voting has ended; which, in the event of electronic voting, shall be when the Speaker 
orders the voting board closed.  A demand for verification and a call for absentees are the only reasons 
for which a member may interrupt a roll call vote. 
Bell to Signal Recorded Vote 
 
Rule 96.  At a reasonable time prior to the beginning of calling the ayes and noes on any question, a bell 
notifying the members of a roll call shall be sounded.  After the votes are registered, the absentees shall 
be noted and upon demand of any member, another bell signifying that a call of absentees is being taken 
shall be sounded and a reasonable time shall be allowed after the sounding of the bell before the voting 
is closed. 
Roll Call Votes 
 
Rule 97.  In all cases where a rule of the House of Representatives refers to the "calling of the names of 
the members" or "calling of the ayes or noes" or "calling of the roll", such reference shall be understood 
to refer also to the "taking" of the vote by electronic roll call system.  There shall be a taking of the vote 
by electronic roll call system on the motion of any one member which is seconded by four other 
members immediately standing.  A vote by electronic roll call shall be limited to thirty minutes, except 
in the cases of quorum calls.  In the event that the electronic roll call system is inoperable, the taking and 
recording of such vote shall be done by calling the name of each member and recording the respective 
aye, no, or present votes.  Any member not responding when his or her name is called shall be recorded 
as absent. 
Dress Code 
 
Rule 98.  At all times when the House is seated, proper attire for gentlemen shall be business attire,   
 
including coat, tie, dress trousers, and dress shoes or boots. Proper attire for women shall be business 
attire, including jackets worn with dresses, skirts, or slacks, and dress shoes or boots.  For the purposes 
of this rule, "jacket" shall include blazers, cardigans, and knit blazers. This rule shall apply to all 
members and staff on the floor of the House and lower gallery. 
Eating, Smoking, Distracting Activities 
 
Rule 99.  No food, newspapers, props, or other items or activities distractive to House deliberations shall 
be permitted on the floor of the House while the House is in session.  Smoking is prohibited in House 
space, except for in designated locations. 
Electronic Devices 
 
Rule 100.  The use of electronic devices for still photography or for audio or visual recording or 
broadcasting by any person other than the House photographer or his or her designee is: 
(1)  Prohibited on the floor of the House unless permission has been granted by the Speaker and 
notice has been given to the body; 
(2)  Prohibited on the side galleries of the House except by current credentialed members of the 
press corps unless permission has been granted by the Speaker and notice has been given to the body. 
 
Nothing contained in this rule shall prevent any member from using a portable laptop computer or any 
electronic wireless communications device; except no such devices shall be used for still photography, 
recording or broadcasting, or for audible communications. 
Ascending the Dais 
 
Rule 101.  No person shall ascend to the dais without first being recognized to do so by the Speaker.  
The Speaker may invite any person to ascend the dais. 
Chamber Desks 
 
Rule 102.  No person, except a member or employee of the House, shall distribute or cause to be 
distributed any pamphlets, materials, or other printed literature to the members' desks or mailboxes in 
the House.  House employees shall only distribute such literature if instructed to do so by a member or 
by the Chief Clerk.  All copies of pamphlets, materials, or printed literature distributed by a member or 
employee of the House shall bear the name of the person causing the copy to be distributed and its 
source of origin, and shall be approved by the Chief Clerk prior to distribution. 
Personal Privilege 
 
Rule 103.  Any member may, as a matter of personal privilege, speak for a period not longer than five 
minutes upon such matters as may collectively affect the House, its rights, its dignity, and the integrity 
of its proceedings or the rights, reputation, and conduct of its individual members in their respective 
capacities only.  No member shall be permitted to utilize personal privilege to debate any motion, bill, 
resolution, memorial, or other business pending before the House.   
 
Subpoena Power 
 
Rule 104.  (1)  Subpoenas for witnesses and the production of records or documents may be issued at the 
request of any member of the House.  All process awarded by the House, and subpoenas and other 
process for witnesses whose attendance is required by the House, shall be under the hand of the Speaker 
and attested by the Chief Clerk and shall be executed by the sergeant-at-arms or by a special messenger 
appointed for that purpose. 
(2)  Any person who without adequate excuse fails to obey a subpoena served upon the person 
under subdivision (1) of this rule may be held in contempt. 
(3)  The House may enforce any issued subpoenas as otherwise provided by law. 
INTERIM PROCEDURE 
Bills - End of First Regular Session 
 
Rule 105.  All House Bills or House Joint and Concurrent Resolutions in possession of the House and 
not finally acted upon shall, at 5:59 p.m. on the first Friday following the second Monday in May in 
odd-numbered years, be laid on the Speaker's desk.  All Senate Bills and Senate Joint and Concurrent 
Resolutions in possession of the House and not finally acted upon shall, at 5:59 p.m. on the first Friday 
following the second Monday in May in odd-numbered years, be laid on the President Pro Tem's desk.  
Bills - Pre-Filing 
 
Rule 106.  A member or member-elect of the House of Representatives may file a bill or joint resolution 
by mail or in person with the Chief Clerk of the House at any time during the period beginning on 
December first and ending on the day before a regular session begins which next precedes the session at 
which the bill or joint resolution is to be considered.  No committee shall file a House Committee Bill 
during this pre-filing period.  Upon receiving a bill or joint resolution filed during the pre-filing period 
preceding a regular session of the General Assembly in odd-numbered years, the Chief Clerk of the 
House shall immediately date, number, and have the bill or joint resolution printed in the most 
economical manner as approved by the Committee on Consent and Procedure and made available 
according to the rules and practices of the General Assembly next preceding that for which the bill or 
joint resolution is filed and those bills and joint resolutions received during the filing period preceding a 
regular session in an even-numbered year shall be printed and made available according to the then 
effective rules of that General Assembly.  All bills or joint resolutions that are pre-filed shall be deemed 
filed on the day the House begins its regular session. 
Interim Committees 
 
Rule 107.  All regular or special standing committees may meet to consider bills or perform any other 
necessary legislative function during the interim, if approved by the Speaker. The Speaker may appoint 
special interim committees or subcommittees to consider bills or perform other necessary legislative 
duties.  Members of each of the committees, or any subcommittee thereof, shall be reimbursed for their 
necessary and actual expenses incurred while attending meetings of the committee or subcommittee, if 
approved by the Speaker.   
 
CALL OF THE HOUSE 
Names of Absentees to Be Called 
 
Rule 108.  A call of the House may be made at any time on motion seconded by ten members and 
sustained by a majority of those present; (names of members may be called orally or by electronic roll 
call) and under a call of the House a majority of those present may send for and compel the attendance 
of absent members; and a majority of all the members present shall be a sufficient number to adjourn. 
Absent Members May Be Sent For 
 
Rule 109.  Upon the call of the House, the names of those members present shall be recorded and the 
absentees noted, and those whose names do not appear may be sent for and taken into custody wherever 
found by the Sergeant-at-Arms or special messenger appointed. 
Prohibited While Voting In Progress 
 
Rule 110.  No call of the House shall be made after the Speaker has directed the clerk to open the 
electronic voting device to record the names of the members and until the vote be announced. 
Majority Not Under Arrest May Censure And Fine Delinquent Members  
 
Rule 111.  The majority of those present, not under arrest, may make an order for the censure or fine of 
delinquent members and prescribe the terms under which they shall be discharged. 
Release from Custody 
 
Rule 112.  When a member shall have been discharged from custody and admitted to his or her seat, the 
House shall decide whether such discharge shall be with or without fees; and, in like manner, whether a 
delinquent member, taken into custody by a special messenger shall defray the expense of such special 
messenger. 
COMMITTEE OF WHOLE HOUSE 
When Permitted 
 
Rule 113.  On motion, the House may resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House for 
consideration of any business which may properly come before it. 
Chair Appointed by Speaker 
 
Rule 114.  In forming a Committee of the Whole House, the Speaker shall leave his or her chair, and a 
Chair preside in the Committee, who shall be appointed by the Speaker. 
Procedure upon Bills 
   
 
Rule 115.  Upon a bill being committed to a Committee of the Whole House, the same shall be read and 
debated by clauses or sections, as determined by the committee, leaving the preamble to be last 
considered. After report, the bill shall again be subject to debate and amendment before being perfected 
and printed. 
Chief Clerk Shall Keep and Record Proceedings 
 
Rule 116.  The Chief Clerk shall keep and record the proceedings of the Committee of the Whole House 
and shall include its proceedings in the Journal of the House when appropriate. 
Amendments Shall Be Noted 
 
Rule 117.  All amendments made to reports, resolutions, or other matters committed to a Committee of 
the Whole House shall be noted and reported, as in case of bills. 
Rules of Proceedings 
 
Rule 118.  Rules and proceedings of the House shall be observed in Committee of the Whole House, as 
far as they are applicable. 
Quorum 
 
Rule 119.  A majority of the members elected shall be a quorum to do business, and if, at any time, a 
sufficient number shall not be present in Committee of the Whole House, and the Committee shall arise, 
and the Speaker shall resume the chair and the chair report the cause of the rising of the Whole 
Committee. 
VETO AND WITHHOLD OVERRIDE PROCEDURES 
 
Rule 120.  Veto Procedures. Any bill, or item or portion of an item in an appropriations bill, vetoed by 
the Governor and returned to the House by the Governor or received from the Senate shall stand as 
reconsidered and such action shall be taken as prescribed by the Constitution and the rules contained 
herein.  Upon receipt, the message containing the Governor’s actions may be read and shall be entered 
into the Journal.  Consideration of a vetoed bill, or item or portion of an item in an appropriations bill, 
shall be in order at any time during sessions of the House.  Consideration of a vetoed bill, or item or 
portion of an item in an appropriations bill, shall have priority of business and shall have precedence 
over and may supersede the order of business, but shall not interrupt a calling of the roll.   
 
Rule 121.  Withhold Override Procedures.  
(1)  Any appropriation for which the rate of expenditure of allotments is not equal quarterly 
allotments, the sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the appropriation, shall stand as 
reconsidered with respect to such allotments and such action shall be taken as prescribed by the 
Constitution and the rules contained herein.  Upon receipt, any proclamation issued by the Governor 
relating to such allotments may be read and shall be entered into the Journal.  Reconsideration of the 
allotments of any appropriation shall be in order at any time during sessions of the House.    
 
Reconsideration of the allotments of any appropriation shall have priority of business and shall have 
precedence over and may supersede the order of business, but shall not interrupt a calling of the roll. 
(2)  Any appropriation for which the Governor reduces the expenditures of the state or any of its 
agencies below their appropriations shall stand as reconsidered with respect to such reductions and such 
action shall be taken as prescribed by the Constitution and the rules contained herein.  Upon receipt, any 
proclamation issued by the Governor relating to such reductions may be read and shall be entered into 
the Journal.  Reconsideration of the reduction of any appropriation shall be in order at any time during 
sessions of the House.  Reconsideration of the reduction of any appropriation shall have priority of 
business and shall have precedence over and may supersede the order of business, but shall not interrupt 
a calling of the roll. 
ADMISSION TO HALL 
Definitions 
 
Rule 122.  The space between the granite columns shall be known as the floor of the House and the 
space beyond the granite columns on either side shall be known as the lower gallery, and the space on 
the upper floor of the House shall be known as the upper gallery. 
Admission to House Floor 
 
Rule 123.  No person shall be admitted to the floor of the House or the House East Gallery other than the 
officers and members of the House and the staffs of the Speaker, Speaker Pro Tem, Majority and 
Minority Floor Leaders, Assistant Majority and Minority Floor Leaders, Majority and Minority Whips, 
and Chair of the Budget Committee and, at the request of the Speaker, technical support staff needed to 
maintain data processing equipment and other equipment.  Other persons may be admitted to the floor 
and East Gallery with the consent of the House. For the purposes of this rule, the Chief Clerk's staff, the 
Assistant Chief Clerk, any doormen, sergeant-at-arms and House Photographer are considered officers 
of the House.  Guests may upon written request, submitted five days in advance and with the consent of 
the Speaker, address the House from the dais at the beginning or adjournment of a daily legislative 
session or any recess thereof. 
Admission to Lower Gallery 
 
Rule 124.  No person shall be admitted to the lower gallery of the House except members of the General 
Assembly, spouses of members, employees of the General Assembly, Joint Committee staff, the 
Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the 
State Attorney General, Judges of the Supreme Court, Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Courts 
of Appeal or Circuit Courts, Members of Congress, the Governor's Chief of Staff and former members 
of the General Assembly who are not registered lobbyists or who do not lobby for an individual or 
organization, and physically disabled persons.  No official or other person, except current members of 
the General Assembly, otherwise allowed to enter the lower gallery by this rule shall engage in any 
activity supporting or opposing any bill or resolution before the House from the lower gallery.  Other 
persons may be admitted to the gallery by the Speaker upon special request of any Representative when 
the House is in session.  Members of the press may enter the lower galleries while the House is in   
 
session for the purpose of interviewing members of the House.  The Speaker may, at any time, restrict or 
limit admission of guests to the lower gallery. 
Admission to Upper Gallery 
 
Rule 125.  The gallery at the front of the chamber above the Speaker's dais shall be reserved for 
members of the Missouri Capitol News Association holding valid credentials issued by the Speaker and 
any other member of the press issued credentials by the Speaker.  All other upper galleries shall be open 
to the public. 
HOUSE RECORDS 
 
Rule 126.  (1)  Members may keep constituent case files, and records of a party conference or caucus 
that contain conference or caucus strategy, confidential.  Constituent case files include any 
correspondence, written or electronic, between a member and a constituent, or between a member and 
any other party pertaining to a constituent's grievance, a question of eligibility for any benefit as it 
relates to a particular constituent, or any issue regarding a constituent's request for assistance. 
(2)  All records obtained by a committee operating in an oversight or investigative capacity shall 
be open records unless closed by the committee pursuant to the Constitution of Missouri, House Rule, 
regulations, or other law. 
RULES 
May Be Rescinded or Amended - How 
 
Rule 127.  Any motion or resolution purporting to rescind or change the standing rules of the House or 
to introduce a new rule shall stand without reading or consideration and without discussion, explanation, 
or debate to the Committee on Consent and Procedure.  Such motions or resolutions as shall be 
favorably recommended by such committee for adoption by the House shall, upon such 
recommendation, be printed in the Journal and shall be placed upon a Resolutions Calendar.  A 
constitutional majority shall be required to pass such a resolution.  Nothing herein shall prohibit a 
member from offering substitute rules or amendments to rules recommended by the committee. 
May Be Dispensed With 
 
Rule 128.  Rules 73, 82, 83, and this rule of the House shall not be suspended or dispensed with, unless 
by unanimous consent or unless two-thirds (2/3) of the elected members concur therein.  No other 
standing rule or order of the House shall be dispensed with, except by unanimous consent or unless a 
constitutional majority concurs therein and motions for that purpose shall be limited to the question or 
proposition under consideration. 
JEFFERSON'S MANUAL 
 
Rule 129.  The rules of parliamentary practice comprised in "Jefferson's Manual" and the "Rules of the 
House of Representatives of the United States", and the official collection of precedents and   
 
interpretations of the rules by parliamentary authorities of the United States House of Representatives 
shall govern the House in all cases in which they are applicable and not inconsistent with the standing 
rules and orders of the House and the joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives.  The Chief 
Clerk, the Speaker, the Speaker Pro Tem, the Majority Floor Leader, the Assistant Majority Floor 
Leader, the Minority Floor Leader, and the Assistant Minority Floor Leader will make available copies 
of these documents in their offices to any member who so requests.  Three copies of these documents 
shall be available during sessions of the House: one copy shall be at a location determined by the 
majority party and one copy shall be at a location determined by the minority party and one copy shall 
be in the possession of the Chief Clerk or his or her designee.  If digital copies exist, links shall be 
available on the House intranet.  The documents shall be purchased by the House and shall be the 
property of the House and not of the individual holding office.  The Manual, Rules, precedents, and 
interpretations above referred to shall be taken as authority in deciding questions not otherwise provided 
for in these rules.  The House may additionally consult "Robert's Rules of Order" and "Mason's Manual 
of Legislative Procedure" as supplemental authority, to the extent consistent with the standing rules and 
orders of the House and the joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives. 
 
CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE DESIGNATION 
 
Rule 130.  For purposes of these rules, the terms "caucus" and "conference" shall have the same 
meaning as the term "caucus" is defined in state statute.