Agencies

The Office of Administration is the state’s service and administrative control agency. It combines and coordinates the central management functions of state government.

Department of Agriculture promotes and protects Missouri's nearly $6 billion agriculture industry by enforcing state laws that regulate and market the agricultural industry across the state.

As the state's chief legal officer, the attorney general must prosecute or defend all appeals to which the state is a party, including every felony criminal case which is appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court and courts of appeal. They are also required to institute, in the name and on behalf of the state, all civil suits and other proceedings that are necessary to protect the stat's rights, interests or claims. They also may appear, inter plead, answer or defend any proceedings in which the state's interests are involved, or appear on behalf of the state in declaratory judgment proceedings when the constitutionality of a statute is challenged.

The State Auditor's Office is Missouri's independent watchdog agency, charged with auditing approximately 200 state agencies and boards and commissions; the state court system, including 45 judicial circuits and nearly 400 municipal courts; and the 89 counties in Missouri that do not have a county auditor. The State Auditor may also be called on to audit local units of government by citizen petition. On average, 20 audits of local government entities are performed each year.

The Department of Commerce & Insurance (DCI) protects Missouri consumers through our oversight of the insurance industry, banks, credit unions, professional licensees and utilities operating in the state. We educate and advocate for Missourians as well as regulate fairly and impartially the industries and professionals under our purview. DCI is organized into the director’s office and nine divisions.

Missouri Department of Conservation's mission is to protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state; to facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources.

The Department of Corrections is an agency dedicated to public safety through the successful management and supervision of offenders on probation, in prison and on parole. The department's responsibility is to administer the sentence set by the court in ways that promote public safety at the lowest cost to taxpayers. Corrections programs include: Offender Management, Restorative Justice, Inspector Generals, Legislative and Constituent Services, Public Information and Victim Services, Training Academy, Employee Health/Wellness/Safety, Religious and Spiritual Services, Volunteers/Interns, Adult Basic Education, Offender Rehabilitative Services, Medical Services, Vocational Enterprises, Mental Health, Sexual Offender Program, Substance Abuse Services, Reentry and Women's Programs, Adult Institutions, Field Services, Community Supervision Strategies, Community Release and Supervision Centers, Command Center. Boards and Commissions: Citizens Advisory Committee, Board of Probation and Parole

Department of Economic Development administers a wide array of services and programs designed to attract and retain good, family-supporting jobs and to help local communities fulfill their dreams.  Divisions include: Business and Community Services (houses the sales, marketing, finance and community development teams), Workforce Development, Tourism, Missouri Development Finance Board, Missouri Housing Development Commission, Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Community Service Commission, Missouri Public Service Commission, Missouri Film Commission, Missouri Women's Council, Missouri Military Commission, Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Hispanic Business, Trade and Culture Commission and the Office of the Public Counsel.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is the administrative arm of the State Board of Education. It is primarily a service agency that works with educators, legislators, government agencies and citizens to maintain a strong public education system.

The governor appoints the members of all boards and commissions, the heads of all departments in state government and all vacancies in public offices unless otherwise provided by law. The board members of Missouri's state universities and colleges are appointed by the governor. The governor also selects the members of the Supreme and Appellate Courts of Missouri from names submitted by the State Judicial Commissions in addition to numerous other appointments. The governor addresses the General Assembly on the state of government and recommends changes or other actions to be taken. A budget is submitted by the governor to the General Assembly within 30 days after the assembly convenes. The budget contains the governor's estimates of available state revenues and an itemized plan for proposed expenditures. All bills passed by both houses of the legislature, except those referred to a vote of the people, are submitted to the governor for his consideration. The governor may either approve a bill, making it law, or return it to the legislature with his objections.

The Department of Health and Senior Services consist of the following: Emergency Response and Terrorism; Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Information; State Public Health Laboratory; Local Public Health Agencies and Services; Area Agencies on Aging and Services; Services for Health Professionals; About DHSS; Frequently Asked Questions; Applications and Forms; Employment Opportunities

The Department of Higher Education's mission is to empower every Missourian with the skills and education needed for success.

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations consists of:  Labor and Industrial Relations Commission, Employment Security, Commission on Human Rights, Labor Standards, Workers' Compensation, State Board of Mediation.

Under the Missouri Constitution, the lieutenant governor is ex-officio president of the Missouri Senate. State statute designates the lieutenant governor as the official Elderly Advocate for the State of Missouri and thus responsible for ensuring advocacy for and assistance to Missouri's senior citizens. The office of the lieutenant governor also provides a state ombudsman's service directing constituent questions or concerns to the appropriate state agencies.

The department has a great deal of information to share in the areas of mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse through our three program divisions.

The National Guard is the only branch of the military that supports both the president of the United States and the governor of the Guard’s home state. This unique aspect is called our dual mission, and as a result, the Missouri National Guard answers to both the President and the Governor of Missouri. The Missouri National Guard is represented in all 114 Missouri counties.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources was created under state reorganization July 1, 1974. The department serves all the state's citizens through its involvement in environmental and resource-related issues of the day. The department deals with the critical area of energy, helps develop mineral resources in an environmentally safe manner, protects Missouri's land, air and water resources and works to preserve the state's historic and natural heritage through state parks and state historic sites.

The Department of Public Safety coordinates with public and private entities to assist with crime prevention and investigation; protect against threats of terror; ensure public safety; and provide emergency response, care, and recovery assistance.

The Missouri Department of Revenue serves as the central collection agency for all state revenues. The department's primary duties include collecting taxes, titling and registering motor vehicles, and issuing driver licenses.

The Secretary of State is the chief elections official in Missouri, bearing responsibility for administration of statewide elections involving both issues and individuals, and oversees local verification of petition signatures for initiative petitions. The Secretary of State's Commissions section authenticates official acts of the governor, and has the authority to appoint and commission notaries public.

The Department of Social Services consists of: Office of the Directory, Children's Division, Family Support, MO HealthNet, Youth Services, Finance and Administrative Services, Legal Services.

The Department of Transportation consists of: Business, Plans and Projects, Safety, Services, Highways and Transportation Commission, Project Bid Opening Information, Request a Highway Map, Motor Carrier Services.

The Missouri state treasurer is the state's chief financial officer. The treasurer's office manages Missouri's annual state revenues. The duties of the state treasurer as defined by the Missouri Constitution and statutes are to be the custodian of all state funds, and to invest those funds not needed for daily state operations. The state treasurer serves a term of four years, and a person may only serve as state treasurer for two terms.