Missouri House opens session, adopts organizing resolutions and honors former Representative Don Koehler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House of Representatives convened for its opening session and established a quorum before adopting a series of organizing resolutions and scheduling joint sessions with the Senate and Supreme Court.

The session opened with an invocation by Reverend Monsignor Kerwicki and the pledge led by Quentin Hayes junior, followed by the national anthem performed by retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Janerold Wilson. The House then satisfied a statutory requirement: “Pursuant to section 9.141 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, it is required to read the Bill of Rights in both chambers of the General Assembly on the first legislative day of each session,” and appointed Lila Overcast of Ava and Ben Zimmerman of Saint Louis to read the amendments aloud.

The majority leader from Greene County moved the adoption of House Resolution 3872, a formal message to the Senate that the House is duly convened; the resolution was approved by voice vote. He likewise moved and won adoption of House Resolution 3873, which notifies the governor and the Senate that the chambers are organized and ready for business.

The chamber also approved House Concurrent Resolution 21, scheduling a joint session at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 to receive a message from Gov. Mike Kehoe, and House Concurrent Resolution 22, scheduling a joint session at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 to receive a message from Chief Justice W. Brent Powell. The clerk announced that a quorum had been established earlier: “With the yeas being 81 and 68 present, a quorum has been established.”

Members observed several points of personal privilege. A member from Pulaski County recognized Vietnam-era veterans and announced presentations of service pins for members Lane Roberts and Jim Schulte; Dave Griffith was named to present the pins. A member from Cole County recalled a 2019 pinning ceremony and praised members who served during the Vietnam era.

Later in the session a member rose to honor former state Representative Don Koehler, who died Jan. 1, 2026. The member recounted Koehler’s biography, noting his years of legislative service and committee work; family members were present in the chamber and the House observed a moment of silence in his memory.

The clerk read the captions for new introductions: House Joint Resolution 160 (Dean) relating to powers of artificial persons; House Bill 2767 (Perkins) on prepaid wireless emergency service charges; and House Bill 2768 (Overcast) concerning industrial hemp–derived consumable products with penalties. The Senate also informed the House that it had formally convened by adopting Senate Resolution 527, delivered by Christina Martin, Secretary of the Senate.

The session concluded after member announcements — including informational sessions on DESE and tax credits — and a reminder for the future caucus photo. The majority leader moved that the House adjourn to a technical session at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 and reconvene at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2026; the motion carried by voice vote and the House stood adjourned.

What happens next: the House will meet for the scheduled technical session on Jan. 8 and reconvene Jan. 12 as announced by leaders.