Missouri House subcommittee opens session stressing fiscal restraint, requests department spending data

Representative Darren Chappell, chair of the Missouri House Subcommittee on Agriculture Appropriations, opened the committeeorganizational hearing by telling members the panel will prioritize fiscal restraint and data-driven review as it prepares House budget recommendations.

Chappell said the state faces a smaller federal funding environment than in recent years and urged the subcommittee to "clear the runway" to understand the state's true fiscal position. "We have to learn to live within our means," Chappell said, adding the committee should look for lapses and vacant positions before proposing new spending.

The comments set the committee's purpose: oversight, review and participation in markup for bills that will be considered later by the full budget committee and the House. Chappell said departments will present to the full budget committee when bills such as House Bill 6 and House Bill 7 are heard, and this subcommittee will participate in markup but will not take testimony during markup itself.

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