SB 50 -- GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPONSOR: Childers (Holand) COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Fiscal Review and Government Reform by a vote of 7 to 0. This bill creates the Legislative Academy within the Division of Legislative Research. The academy is to educate newly-elected members of the General Assembly about the organization and operation of state government, appropriations, aspects of the legislative and executive branches of state government, and the Missouri Constitution. The academy is to be held during the interim of each biennium following the first regular session of each General Assembly. Participants are eligible for per diem and expense allowances comparable to session rates. The Legislative Academy expires December 31, 2005. The academy is to assume responsibility for coordination of the new member tour of state facilities during the first two weeks of December after a general election. The bill also establishes a Legislative Academy Advisory Committee comprised of 9 former legislators chosen by the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tem of the Senate. The committee is to establish the academy curriculum. The Legislative Academy Advisory Committee provisions of the bill are to terminate on December 31, 2005. FISCAL NOTE: Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0 in FY 2002, $0 to $159,373 in FY 2003, and $0 to $318,747 in FY 2004. PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the Legislative Academy is optional and with term limits taking effect provides new members of the General Assembly with a head start. Testifying for the bill was Senator Childers. OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee. Roland Tackett, Legislative AnalystCopyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives