Missouri House Changes Rules, Bills Must Clear 2 Committees

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri House will require most bills to go through two committees before moving to the full chamber this year.

The House adopted rules Thursday requiring bills to pass through a regular committee and then a select committee before being sent to the floor.

House Majority Leader Todd Richardson, of Poplar Bluff, says the process will bring better vetting of legislation, more single-subject bills and improved transparency.

Democratic Rep. John Rizzo, of Kansas City, says the changes will improve the legislative process.

But Rizzo failed in an attempt to change the rules to allow lawmakers to draft amendments after a bill is brought up and introduce the amendment before it’s fully distributed.

Richardson says distributing amendments in advance keeps the process transparent.