Who presides over the Missouri Senate?

The presiding officer of the Missouri Senate is the Lieutenant Governor. This role is crucial as the Lieutenant Governor not only oversees the legislative proceedings in the Senate, but also represents the Senate in various official capacities. The Lieutenant Governor's position as presiding officer includes maintaining order during debates, ensuring that the rules of the Senate are followed, and facilitating the legislative process.

Other options do not serve this function. The Governor, while a vital part of the state's executive branch, does not preside over the Senate's legislative sessions. The Secretary of State has different responsibilities focused mainly on managing state elections and maintaining official records, not presiding over the Senate. Similarly, the Speaker of the House is the leader of the Missouri House of Representatives and does not have authority over the Senate. Therefore, the role of presiding over the Senate distinctly belongs to the Lieutenant Governor.