JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Legislation to restructure Missouri’s boards and commissions was filed in the state’s Senate on Tuesday.
Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County, introduced four bills intending to implement some of the changes recommended by the Missouri Boards and Commissions Task Force.
“My goal is to create a functioning and effective Boards and Commissions system,” Riddle said in a news release.
The bills — SB 843, SB 844, SB 845 and SB 848 — would reduce the number gubernatorial appointments by 125 and grant appointment authority to department and division directors responsible for boards and commissions that only serve an advisory role thus shortening the process of appointments and ensuring professionals retain a voice in their specific vocation.
“Too often, the size of many of these boards and commissions make it difficult for these groups to effectively conduct their business,” Riddle said. “While many of Missouri’s boards and commissions meet regularly and serve vital roles, there are several that are outdated and no longer serve a purpose. It is my hope that this legislative package is the first step towards shrinking the number of gubernatorial appointments, and that it receives strong bipartisan support.”
Riddle’s recommendations stem from a report released Oct. 31 by the Missouri Boards and Commissions Task Force. The task force, formed by Gov. Eric Greitens and led by Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, looked into more than 200 boards and commissions in Missouri. You can read their full report here.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
