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Senator from Lawrence says she will circulate resolution to allow live video streaming of Missouri Senate
Summary
The senator from Lawrence told colleagues she is drafting a resolution to permit live video streaming of the Missouri Senate chamber and will gather input before bringing it forward; senators discussed budget constraints and prior amendment attempts, and one said the chamber is among only two in the country without livestreaming.
The senator from Lawrence said she is drafting a resolution to permit live video streaming of the Missouri Senate chamber and will seek colleagues' feedback before bringing it to a vote.
The move came during a floor inquiry and subsequent back-and-forth about the practicality of adding cameras. "I've got it right here on my desk. I'm not ready to actually bring it to the vote today, probably, but I'm going to be asking some senators what they think about it," the senator from Lawrence said, urging colleagues to consider whether the public should have the option to view proceedings by video.
Why it matters: supporters said live video would increase transparency for constituents. One senator argued the chamber is currently "one of only 2 in the entire country that do not have a live stream option," a characterization offered on the floor to underscore the proposed change.
Floor debate touched on two practical obstacles. Senators noted budget constraints and past efforts to amend budget measures on the floor are rarely accepted; one senator recalled earlier floor amendments and said adding equipment could require an appropriation or amendment that might not be adopted. Another senator described an amendment he had supported to require legislative review before the Office of Administration enters contracts over $20,000,000, calling it a measure of oversight that had met resistance in the House.
Direct quotes and claims: the senator from Greene cautioned that the budget "is what it is" and that funds for cameras might not be available, while a different senator said the House "hates" accountability measures proposed previously. Those comments framed the practical and political hurdles any live-stream proposal might face.
Next steps: the senator from Lawrence said she will continue to consult colleagues and hopes the resolution "will come to a vote" in the Senate at a later date; she did not introduce the resolution for a vote during this session. No formal action on live-streaming was taken today.
The discussion ended without a floor vote; the Senate proceeded with other business.
