JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Representative Bill Owen, R-Greene County, has been selected to serve as the next Chairman of the Missouri House Budget Committee, bringing decades of financial expertise, business leadership, and legislative experience to one of the most important positions in state government.
Owen, who represents Missouri House District 131 in Greene County, has built a distinguished career centered on fiscal responsibility and sound financial management. He spent 39 years in the banking industry, developing expertise in lending, financial institutions, economic development, and budget oversight. He also completed advanced banking studies through the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
His public service spans more than four decades. Owen previously served in the Missouri House in 1981 and 1982, where he sponsored the Missouri Enterprise Zone Act to encourage job creation and economic investment. After a successful career in banking and community leadership, he returned to the legislature in 2020 to continue serving the people of Greene County and the State of Missouri.
“Bill Owen brings a unique combination of real-world financial experience and legislative leadership to the Budget Committee,” Speaker-Elect Riley, R-Springfield, said. “His decades in banking and his commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars make him exceptionally qualified to lead our House budget process and fulfill our constitutional duty to deliver a balanced budget.”
Owen currently serves as Chairman of the House Financial Institutions Committee and has been an active member of the House Budget Committee and several appropriations subcommittees. Throughout his legislative service, he has earned a reputation as a thoughtful policymaker focused on accountability, efficient government, and policies that support long-term economic growth.
As Budget Chairman, Owen will oversee the development of Missouri’s annual state budget, working with House members through the appropriations process to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly while maintaining fiscal stability and prioritizing core government services.
“Missourians expect their government to live within its means and focus on its most important responsibilities,” Owen said. “I am honored by the opportunity to lead the House Budget Committee and look forward to working with my colleagues to craft a budget that reflects our conservative principles, protects taxpayers, and positions Missouri for continued success.”
A graduate of Drury University, Owen remains active in the Springfield community. He and his wife, Carol, are the parents of two children.