Laptops are everywhere, but you won't see them in use inside the Missouri State Senate Chamber. Elected members have been prohibited from using laptop while conducting Senate business. The ban has been in effect for several years and a committee a resolution calling for their use.

Since 1997, elected officials have not been able to use laptops in the Chamber. Senators have tried to pass resolutions to allow their use, but they are continuously ejected. Recently, the Rules Committee defeated, by a 5-2 vote, resolution 1695 which would have let members use laptops. This is the fourth defeated in the past seven years.

The ban does not affect staff members or press personnel, nor does it affect the Senators when they are outside of the chambers. There have been also been unsuccessful attempts to ban cellphones and Blackberries.

The Missouri State House of Representatives does not have such a ban.