2018 Missouri legislative session
 |
| 2018 legislative sessions coverage |
|---|
| Missouri General Assembly | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | 2 terms (8 years) in Senate, 4 terms (8 years) in House |
| Session start: | January 3, 2018 |
| Session end: | May 18, 2018 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Mike Kehoe (R) |
| House Speaker: | Todd Richardson (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Vacant House: Rob Vescovo (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Gina Walsh (D) House: Gail Beatty (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 34 (Senate), 163 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art III, Missouri Constitution |
| Salary: | $35,915/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Redistricting: | Missouri Legislation Commissions have control |
Meeting place: | |
This page provides an overview of the 2018 general and special sessions of the Missouri General Assembly. The General Assembly was in session from January 3 to May 18, 2018.
- On May 18, the legislature convened a special session directly after adjourning the regular session to discuss impeachment proceedings against Gov. Eric Greitens (R). Greitens resigned effective June 1, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., following allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of campaign information.[1] The special session adjourned June 11.
- Click here for more information about the investigations into Gov. Greitens.
- Click here for more information about the special session.
- The legislature was in a second special session from September 10 to September 19 to discuss bills on science education and drug treatment courts. Click here for more information.
If you know of any additional events that should be added to this page, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
Overview
Partisan control
Missouri was one of 26 Republican state government trifectas in 2018. A state government trifecta occurs when one political party holds the governor's office, a majority in the state Senate, and a majority in the state House. For more information about state government trifectas, click here.
The following tables show the partisan breakdown of the Missouri General Assembly in the 2018 legislative session.
Senate
| Party | As of July 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 9 | |
| Republican Party | 23 | |
| Vacancies | 2 | |
| Total | 34 | |
House
| Party | As of July 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 47 | |
| Republican Party | 112 | |
| Vacancies | 4 | |
| Total | 163 | |
Leadership in 2018
Senate
- Senate president: Mike Kehoe (R)
- President pro tem: Ron Richard (R)
- Majority leader: Vacant
- Minority leader: Gina Walsh (D)
- Assistant majority leader: Bob Onder (R)
- Majority caucus whip: Brian Munzlinger (R)
- Majority caucus chair: Dan Hegeman (R)
- Majority whip: Brian Munzlinger (R)
- Assistant minority floor leader: Shalonn Curls (D)
- Minority caucus chair: Jason Holsman (D)
- Minority whip: Jamilah Nasheed (D)
House
- House speaker: Todd Richardson (R)
- Speaker pro tempore: Elijah Haahr (R)
- Majority leader: Rob Vescovo (R)
- Minority leader: Gail Beatty (D)
- Assistant majority leader: Kevin Austin (R)
- Majority whip: Steve Lynch (R)
- Majority caucus chair: Glen Kolkmeyer (R)
- Assistant minority leader: Gina Mitten (D)
- Minority whip: Kip Kendrick (D)
- Minority caucus chair: Michael Butler (D)
Status of legislation
| Status of legislation: Regular session | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Legislation | Subject area | Actions during the regular session | Status at the end of the regular session |
| HB 1266 | Ban on abortions after 20 weeks | Passed House |
Did not see further action |
| HB 2540 | Corporate and individual tax cut | Passed House Passed Senate |
Governor signed |
| HB 1554 | Medical marijuana for patients with a terminal illness | Passed House | Did not see further action |
| SB 655 | Child marriage ban | Passed General Assembly | Governor signed |
| SB 894 | Science and technology education curriculum | Passed General Assembly | Governor vetoed |
| HB 2562 | Drug courts, judicial retirement, abandoned property cleanup | Passed General Assembly | Governor vetoed |
| Appropriations bills | Budget | Passed General Assembly | Governor signed |
| Status of legislation: Special session | |||
| HB 1 | Modifies provisions relating to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Initiative | Introduced | Pending committee action |
| HB 2 | Establishes treatment courts | Passed House Passed Senate |
Pending governor action |
| HB 3 | Establishes a statewide STEM career awareness program and creates new provisions of law related to computer science | Passed House Passed Senate |
Pending governor action |
Regular session
April 3, 2018
Missouri House approves bill banning abortion after 20 weeks
The Missouri House of Representatives approved legislation that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks "unless it is necessary to avert the patient's death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function." The legislation would have also required healthcare providers performing abortions to submit information to the state health department.[2]
Supporters of the bill, such as Rep. Diane Franklin (R) and bill sponsor Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R), said the legislation would protect a fetus from feeling pain.[3] Opponents argued the legislation would impede a woman's choice to get an abortion. Rep. Barbara Anne Washington (D) said, "No one’s saying that they have to have an abortion. We’re saying that a woman has the statutory, Supreme Court right to choose."[4]
At the time of the bill's passage in the state House, Missouri law restricted abortions after 22 weeks. According to the Guttmacher Institute, which describes itself as "committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States and globally," 18 states had laws prohibiting abortions, with certain exceptions, after 20 weeks at the end of 2017.[5][4] Read more here.
- Update: The legislation was sent to the state Senate, where it did not see further action in 2018.
April 17, 2018
State House approves tax cuts
The Missouri House of Representatives passed House Bill (HB) 2540, which would reduce the corporate and top individual income tax rates to 5 percent and raise state Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) fees. The revenue would fund improvements to transportation infrastructure. The House approved HB 2540 by a 91-61 vote.[6]
Lawmakers disagreed on whether to increase DMV fees or raise the gas tax. Rep. Peter Merideth (D) said that increasing a fuel tax would be a more immediate way to raise revenue geared toward transportation infrastructure. House Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr (R) said raising DMV fees was better because a gas tax would bring in less revenue as cars become more fuel efficient.[6] Read more here.
- Update: The Senate approved HB 2540 on May 15, 2018, and the governor signed the bill on July 12, 2018.
May 1, 2018
Medical marijuana bill passes in state House
The Missouri House of Representatives approved House Bill 1554. The measure would allow medical marijuana to be available to eligible patients with a terminal illness, including but not limited to cancer, glaucoma, HIV, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and epilepsy. Patients would be authorized to possess up to 20 ounces of smokeless medical marijuana. Preventing an eligible patient from accessing medical marijuana would be a class A misdemeanor.[7] Read more here.
- Update: HB 1554 was sent to the Missouri State Senate, where it did not see further action.
May 15, 2018
Missouri Senate approves bill reducing individual income tax rate
The Missouri State Senate approved a tax bill that would reduce the individual income tax rate from 5.9 percent to 5.5 percent next year. The rate would gradually decline to 5.1 percent if the state met target revenues. Senators suggested reducing a federal income tax deduction to make up for the loss in revenue.[8]
Senators voted 24-9 in favor of the bill, which was sent to the House for consideration and concurrence.[8] However, some House members expressed doubt that the two chambers would agree on the bill. Rep. Jon Carpenter (D) said, "On things like education and our public colleges and universities, senior services and services for our kids, we've got to make sure we have enough resources in our state to fund those things. We're already struggling. Tax cuts might be the right policy prescription in some states, but here in Missouri it doesn't make a lot of sense, in my opinion."[9] Read more here.
- Update: Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed the legislation on July 12, 2018.
July 13, 2018
Gov. Parson signs child marriage ban into law
Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed SB 655. The bill:
- raised the minimum age for marriage from 15 to 16 years,
- prohibited anyone over 21 from marrying someone younger than 18,
- required parental consent for marriage if the individual is a minor,
- removed a court's ability to issue marriage licenses to minors,
- removed the statute of limitations for sexual offenses involving minors,
- made it easier to access the state's crime compensation fund for victims of sexual violence, and
- established new tracking requirements for rape kits.
The law took effect on August 28, 2018.[10]
Budget
June 29, 2018
Governor signs budget bills
Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed a $28 billion budget deal June 29, 2018. The Missouri State Legislature approved the legislation May 9.
- The plan included a $99 million increase to K-12 education and funding to raise public employee pay.
- It blocked Medicaid reimbursement for healthcare providers that also perform abortions.
- It maintained higher education funding in exchange for placing a cap on tuition increases for public universities and colleges.[11]
The governor also issued 21 line-item vetoes totaling $12 million, including $1 million for the Missouri Southern State University and $1 million for volunteer firefighter workers' compensation grants.[11]
Process
- See also: Missouri state budget and finances
Missouri on 
|
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[12]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
- State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by October 1.
- Agency hearings are held from January through April. Public hearings are held in January and February.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature no later than 30 days after the legislature convenes.
- The legislature is required to adopt a budget by the first Friday after the first Monday in May. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Missouri is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[12][13]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget. The legislature is not required to pass a balanced budget, but the governor is required to sign one.[12]
Special session, May 18 to June 11
In a historic move, Missouri legislators called for a special session to consider impeaching then-Gov. Eric Greitens (R). It was the first time the legislature used its authority to call itself into special session, which requires the approval of three-quarters (¾) of each chamber (123 of 163 House members and 26 of 34 senators). The decision to convene was made after 138 House members and 29 Senators signed a petition calling for the governor's impeachment.[14] Click here to read more about the investigations into former Gov. Greitens.
Missouri Governor Eric Greitens (R) was indicted by a St. Louis grand jury for felony invasion of privacy on February 22, 2018. Greitens was accused of taking a nude photograph of a woman, later identified in court filings as K.S., with whom he had an affair and threatening to release the image if the woman spoke publicly about the affair. Greitens had admitted to the affair in January 2018 but denied the blackmail allegations. The grand jury alleged that Greitens knowingly took a photograph of K.S. and transmitted the image "in a manner that allowed access to that image via a computer," according to the indictment.[15][16][17]
Greitens stated that he would fight the indictment in court, and his attorney stated in January 2018 that he would not resign from office.[15][18] On May 14, 2018, the day the trial was set to begin, attorneys representing the state of Missouri announced the felony invasion of privacy charge against Greitens would be dropped. The decision came after St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner—a prosecuting attorney in the case—was named as a trial witness. Following the announcement, leaders of the Missouri House called for a continuation of the state legislature's investigation into Greitens.[19]
For more information on the charges of felony invasion of privacy, click here.
The Missouri House of Representatives' Special Investigative Committee on Oversight released findings of an investigation into the allegations in a report on April 11, 2018. This report led to Attorney General Josh Hawley (R) calling on Greitens to resign.
On April 20, 2018, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner indicted Greitens for tampering with computer data. The indictment alleged that Greitens used a donor list from a veterans charity, The Mission Continues, without authorization for political purposes during his 2016 gubernatorial campaign.[20] Greitens denied the allegations and defended his work with the nonprofit.[21]
Gardner announced on May 30, 2018, that her office was dropping the felony computer tampering charges against Greitens. A spokeswoman for Gardner's office said the prosecutor and Greitens' defense team struck a deal in which Greitens would resign if the charges were dropped. Greitens' attorney, Jim Martin, said the case would be dismissed with prejudice, meaning it could not be re-filed.[22]
For more information on the charges of felony computer tampering, click here.
May 18, 2018
Legislature opens special session
The legislature convened its special session with procedural actions. The House filed proposed rules for the proceedings which would:
- allow hearings to be open to the public.
- deny the governor's attorneys' request to call or cross-examine witnesses. Greitens' lawyers said the rules would undermine public confidence in the process. Rep. Don Phillips (R), committee vice chairman, said the attorneys had already had time to cross-examine witnesses and their request was "probably just an attempt to almost filibuster the committee."[23]
- expand the House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight's membership from seven members to 10 members.
- authorize the special committee to decide whether to file articles of impeachment.[24][25]
May 22, 2018
House special committee publicly reads testimony of Greitens' accuser
The House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight spent seven hours reading aloud a transcript of testimony from K.S., Greitens' accuser, to a St. Louis grand jury. The testimony, provided by the office of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, included an accusation that one of Greitens' attorneys told K.S. to deny the allegations. Ed Dowd, a member of Greitens' legal team, called the testimony "double hearsay" and denied the allegation.[25][23]
May 23, 2018
House special committee hears testimony from Missouri Times owner Scott Faughn
The House committee continued to read aloud the transcripts of a deposition by Greitens' attorneys with K.S., his accuser. The attorneys asked K.S. about a number of topics, including piercings, instances of lying, and details of sexual encounters with the governor.
The committee heard testimony from Missouri Times owner Scott Faugh, who said he paid $120,000 to Al Watkins, an attorney representing the ex-husband of K.S. Faughn said $100,000 of the payment was to purchase audio recordings for use in a book about Greitens and the remaining $20,000 was for Watkins' legal services. Faughn said the money was his own but refused to answer questions about how he got the money. Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Barnes (R) expressed disbelief: "No one believes that it's your own money. That's a lot of cash."[26]
Following Faughn's testimony, Greitens' attorneys asked the House committee to issue subpoenas to Jeff Smith, Ken Poteet, and Sterling Bank, who were all involved in tax credits for affordable housing. They also asked the committee to subpoena Faughn's phone records, bank records, and communications with St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Greitens' attorneys suggested Faughn was connected to the tax credit industry, which was hurt by Greitens' policies and may have provided the funds, arguing, "Mr. Faughn has direct connections with a group that has been very hurt and upset that their tax credits have been taken away."
The committee also questioned Al Watkins, the attorney of K.S.' ex-husband. Watkins testified that he received the $120,000 payment from Faughn, who told him it was from an out-of-state Republican donor. Watkins also said his family was threatened when news of the affair broke and $10,000 of the payment was for protection. Watkins did not say who threatened his family.
Barnes said on the record that he first learned of the payments to Watkins during an interview with the FBI. Barnes explained, "In the course of that interview, (I) was asked questions about did I know that you had received a cash payment. I want it to be known that I did learn of it from the FBI." Barnes' admission followed a CNN report released May 21 that cited two anonymous Republican lawmakers who also said they had been questioned by the FBI about Greitens.[27][28]
May 24, 2018
Lawmakers, attorney admit to speaking to the FBI about Greitens
Al Watkins, the attorney representing K.S.' ex-husband, told the House special committee that he had given a recording of K.S. discussing her affair with Greitens to the FBI in January or February 2017. Watkins also said he gave the FBI photos of cash he received in January 2018 from Scott Faughn, owner of The Missouri Times. A spokesperson for the FBI did not say if Greitens was under investigation.
Greitens' attorney Catherine Hanaway argued that Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Barnes (R) was a material witness in the House investigation because he received an audio recording of K.S. speaking about her sexual encounter with the governor. An attorney for the House said Hanaway was attempting to distract the public from the investigation.[29]
May 25, 2018
House Committee issues subpoena to Greitens
House Special Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Barnes (R) announced that the committee issued a subpoena to the governor. "We need Mr. Greitens to appear and testify under oath before this committee. There have been reports that he's been talking to members of the House about various events. And, if he is capable of doing that, he is capable of coming to this committee and testifying under oath."
The subpoena asked Greitens to testify on June 4. Michelle Nasser, one of the governor's attorneys, said she did not know if the governor would comply.
The committee also issued a subpoena to K.S., asking for her testimony on June 5.[30]
The special committee canceled hearings scheduled the week of June 4 after Greitens resigned, effective June 1, 2018.[31]
May 29, 2018
Committee hears testimony from Republican consultant
The House Special Committee heard testimony from Michael Hafner, a Republican consultant. Hafner said he was paid more than $500 for political work for Greitens in 2014. Greitens formally launched an exploratory campaign committee in February 2015. Under state law, candidates are required to form committees once they raise or spend more than $500.[32]
June 1, 2018
Greitens signs 77 laws before leaving office
Greitens signed 77 bills into law before leaving office. One of the 77 bills makes it a crime to threaten to share sexual images of an individual without their consent. Under the law, threatening an individual with sharing sexual images without their consent is a felony.[33][34]
June 11, 2018
Legislature adjourns special session
Lawmakers adjourned the special session, dissolving the House Special Investigative Committee and effectively ending the investigation into former Gov. Eric Greitens (R). The committee had not met since June 1, 2018, the day of Greitens' resignation, and on June 6, 2018, the House withdrew a subpoena for documents from Greitens' campaign committee and from a group supportive of Greitens called A New Missouri.[35] Read more here.
Special session, September 10-19
Legislators held a second special session from September 10 to September 19 to discuss a science education bill and a drug treatment courts bill. Gov. Parson vetoed both bills during the regular session.[36]
Vetoed bills
- Senate Bill 894 (SB 894): Under the science education bill, high school computer courses would have counted as math, science, or practical arts credits needed for graduation. Parson vetoed the bill because of a provision about an online career awareness program for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. The governor said the program would have been directed towards one company. He did not specify the company.[36]
- A press release from the governor's office described the revised legislation as allowing "for multiple companies to apply to provide the program."[37]
- House Bill 2562 (HB 2562): Parson also vetoed a bill about drug treatment courts, judicial retirement plans, and abandoned property cleanup efforts. He said the legislation violated state law on changing bill purposes and including multiple subjects. He also disagreed with a provision on judicial pensions.[36] A statement from his office said the revised legislation would "focus solely on reforms to treatment courts throughout the state."[37]
September 12, 2018
State House approves two special session bills
The Missouri House of Representatives approved two special session bills.[38]
- House Bill 2 (HB 2): The state House approved HB 2, 141-1. HB 2 would allow circuit courts to establish drug treatment courts.[38]
- House Bill 3 (HB 3): The House passed HB 3, 119-23. HB 3 would allow high school computer science classes to count as math, science, or practical arts credits needed for graduation. It would also create a program to promote STEM career awareness.[38]
- Update: Both bills passed the state Senate September 14.
Noteworthy events
Greitens' resignation
Gov. Eric Greitens (R) announced on May 29, 2018, that he would resign effective June 1, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., following allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of campaign information. In a press conference, Greitens denied legal wrongdoing. He said the scrutiny was causing too much pain and difficulty:[1]
| “ | This ordeal has been designed to cause an incredible amount of strain on my family. Millions of dollars of mounting legal bills, endless personal attacks designed to cause maximum damage to family and friends. Legal harassment of colleagues, friends and campaign workers and it's clear that for the forces that oppose us, there is no end in sight. I cannot allow those forces to continue to cause pain and difficulty to the people that I love.[39] | ” |
Responses to the resignation
- Then-Lt. Gov. Mike Parson (R): "With Governor Greitens’ decision to resign from office, he has put the best interests of our state and all Missourians at the forefront where they belong. This is a decision that will allow our state to heal and move forward from what has been a difficult time."[40]
- State House Speaker Todd Richardson (R), Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr (R), and Majority Leader Rob Vescovo (R): "We believe the Governor has put the best interest of Missourians first today by choosing to resign. ... This is a serious and solemn occasion that reminds us that our state and our duty are bigger than any one person or party."[40]
- State Rep. Kathie Conway (R): "There’s not going to be this constant battle going on, this dragging people through the mud. But I think that there’s still so much healing to do."[41]
- U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R): "The governor made the best decision for his family and the state. I look forward to Gov. Parson's leadership and will do everything I can be to be helpful."[1]
- Missouri Senate Democratic Leader Gina Walsh: "Innocent people don't resign and criminals don't get let off the hook simply because they cut and run. Missourians deserve to know what laws were broken, what lies were told, and how deep the corruption went."[40]
- Missouri Democratic Party Chair Stephen Webber: "While corruption ended Eric Greitens' career as a politician, his schemes to slash workers' pay and rip healthcare away from vulnerable seniors continue to hurt Missourians. Missouri Democrats will continue to work to undo the damage done by Eric Greitens and his Republican cronies."[1]
- Attorney General Josh Hawley (R): "Greitens has done the right thing today. I wish incoming Governor Mike Parson well, and stand ready to assist him in his transition. This Office's work for the people of Missouri goes forward."[40]
- Missouri resident Mark Johnson: "I'm disappointed. I had no complaints. He was going after the right things like education."[42]
- Missouri resident Sondra Lock: "I believe some of what he did was wrong, as far as the affair. But that's between him and his family. ... I liked him as governor. I voted for him. I thought he was doing good."[42]
- Missouri resident Cynthia Baird: "I admire the fact he was a Navy SEAL and I'm sure he did great things. But that don't qualify him to be governor. ... And he ran on a platform for cleaning out corruption. Yes, sir. And he turned out to be totally corrupt."[42][32]
Conflicts surrounding lieutenant governor appointment
State Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe (R) was appointed lieutenant governor of Missouri on June 18, 2018. Kehoe replaced former Lt. Gov. Mike Parson (R), who became governor of Missouri on June 1, 2018, following the resignation of Gov. Eric Greitens (R).
The governor and lieutenant governor of Missouri are elected separately, and there was legal uncertainty about whether Parson could appoint a replacement. The state constitution authorizes governors to fill vacancies while a state law says the governor cannot fill a vacancy in the lieutenant governor's office.
Parson's office released a statement with five former governors supporting his decision to appoint a replacement.[43] The statement quoted former Governor Bob Holden (D), who said, "The Legislature has not provided any alternative to the Governor making the appointment to fill the Lt. Governor's position when vacant and past practices based on legal counsel from prior Governors based on their legal opinions of the Missouri constitution and the statutes is that the Governor shall make an appointment to fill the Lt. Governor's position."[44]
Also on June 18, 2018, the Missouri Democratic Party filed a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court asking the court to nullify Kehoe's appointment and to rule that the lieutenant governor vacancy be filled only by election. The suit argued that Parson was "without legal authority to appoint a Lieutenant Governor" and asked for Kehoe's appointment to be nullified. Lead plaintiff Darrell Cope, a World War II veteran, said he had the right to vote for lieutenant governor, who is tasked with advocating for veterans.[45][46]
Kehoe said he would not have accepted the appointment if he thought the governor lacked the authority to name a replacement.[47] Parson also responded to the lawsuit, saying, "I think it was very important to make that appointment and I think I had every ability to do that under the Constitution and the laws of the state of Missouri to make that appointment."[48]
On July 11, 2018, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem dismissed the case, ruling that Gov. Mike Parson (R) had the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor. He wrote:
| “ | Plaintiffs expressly pled in their Petition that 'Missouri law . . . provides no way to fill a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor.' Because the plain language of Article IV, § 4 authorizes the Governor to fill the vacancy unless Missouri law furnishes or supplies another way to fill it, this concession is fatal to Plaintiffs’ case.[39] | ” |
Beetem also concluded state law prohibited the Missouri Democratic Party, a private group, from seeking the removal of a public official, writing, "Under Missouri law, a private plaintiff lacks authority to seek the removal of a public official through litigation." Click here for Beetem's full ruling.
Gov. Parson said the judge's decision affirmed his position and that of previous governors from both parties. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) said, "I am grateful for, and agree with, Judge Beetem's ruling." Emily Waggoner, the Missouri Democratic Party's executive director, said, "We strongly believe that Missourians deserve the opportunity to vote for their Lieutenant Governor."[49][50] On July 18, 2018, the Missouri Democratic Party filed an appeal.[51]
On April 16, 2019, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled in a 5-2 decision that the governor did not violate the constitution by appointing Kehoe. Chief Justice Zel Fischer wrote, "The constitution is clear, the governor may fill all vacancies in public offices unless the law provides an alternative method."[52] Click here to read the court's opinion.
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods by which the Missouri Constitution can be amended:
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
Initiative
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Missouri, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is based on the number of votes cast for governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. In two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote for initiated constitutional amendments. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislature
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Missouri General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in the Missouri House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Missouri State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Section 3a of Article XII of the Missouri Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1942. Missouri is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:
| State | Interval | Last question on the ballot | Next question on the ballot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 20 years | 2022 | 2042 |
See also
| Elections | Missouri State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 CNN, "Embattled Missouri Governor Eric Greitens resigns amid scandals," May 29, 2018
- ↑ Missouri House of Representatives, "HB 1266 Bill Summary: Perfected," accessed April 5, 2018
- ↑ The Hill, "Missouri House passes 20-week abortion ban," April 4, 2018
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Columbia Daily Tribune, "State House votes to ban most abortions after 20 weeks," April 4, 2018
- ↑ Guttmacher Institute, "About Us," accessed April 5, 2018
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Missourian, "Major tax package voted from House into the Senate," April 19, 2018
- ↑ High Times, "Missouri House Approves Medical Marijuana Bill," April 24, 2018
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 KBIA, "Missouri Senate Passes Slimmed Tax Bill," May 16, 2018
- ↑ KY3, "Tax cut bill passes state Senate, awaits House vote," May 16, 2018
- ↑ Governing, "Missouri Is the Latest State to Crack Down on Child Marriage," July 17, 2018
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Office of Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson, "Governor Parson Takes Action on FY19 Budget Bills," June 29, 2018
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ NBC News, "Missouri Legislature to hold special session on Gov. Eric Greitens' impeachment," May 4, 2018
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Kansas City Star, "Gov. Greitens indicted for felony invasion of privacy stemming from affair," February 22, 2018
- ↑ The Kansas City Star, "Gov. Greitens faces calls for investigation, resignation over blackmail allegations," January 11, 2018
- ↑ The New York Times, "The Woman at the Center of Gov. Eric Greitens’s Criminal Trial," May 7, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Greitens under fire as Missouri House launches probe; prosecutors may seek more charges," February 27, 2018
- ↑ CNN Politics, "Charge dropped against Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens," May 14, 2018
- ↑ State of Missouri, City of St. Louis, "Complaint," April 20, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Missouri governor indicted over handling of charity donor list," April 20, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Governor's attorneys approached St. Louis prosecutor with deal: He'll resign, you drop felony charge," May 30, 2018
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 The Kansas City Star, "Missouri lawmakers read, aloud, hours of testimony by woman in Greitens case," May 22, 2018
- ↑ KPVI, "Missouri opens session to consider impeachment of governor," May 18, 2018
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 KPVI, "The Latest: Greitens' campaign launches TV ad," May 23, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Investigation of Greitens presses ahead at Capitol and court," May 24, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "House committee chairman says he spoke with FBI about Greitens," May 24, 2018
- ↑ The Kansas City Star, "Greitens’ lawyers want House to subpoena bank tied to low-income housing developers," May 25, 2018
- ↑ KPVI, "The Latest: House lawyer chastises attorney for Greitens," May 24, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Greitens issued a subpoena to appear before special Missouri House committee," May 25, 2018
- ↑ Columbia Daily Tribune, "Legislative leaders regroup after Greitens’ resignation," May 30, 2018
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 The Kansas City Star, "The Latest: Parson: Greitens resignation will heal state," May 29, 2018
- ↑ WPTV, "Missouri Gov. Greitens Signed 77 New Laws On His Last Day In Office," June 2, 2018
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Before Missouri’s scandal-plagued Gov. Eric Greitens quit, he signed a ‘revenge porn’ law," June 4, 2018
- ↑ Columbia Daily Tribune, "Greitens panel done with end of special session," June 11, 2018
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 The Kansas City Star, "Missouri governor calls special legislative session," August 30, 2018
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Office of Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson, "Governor Parson Announces Special Session to Address Legislative Priorities," August 30, 2018
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 The State, "The Latest: Parson pleased the budget override bid failed," September 12, 2018
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 ABC 17 KMIZ, "Lawmakers react to resignation of Gov. Eric Greitens," May 29, 2018
- ↑ The New York Times, "Eric Greitens, Missouri Governor and Rising Republican Star, Resigns Amid Scandal," May 29, 2018
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Springfields News-Leader, "What locals say of Greitens' resignation: 'They've been after him since he got in office,'" May 30, 2018
- ↑ ABC News, "GOP state senator appointed Missouri lieutenant governor." June 18, 2018
- ↑ Office of Governor Mike Parson, "Governor Mike Parson Announces Michael L. Kehoe as Lieutenant Governor," June 18, 2018
- ↑ Semo Times, "Democrats seek to block Kehoe’s appointment, file suit calling for special election to address vacancy," June 19, 2018
- ↑ Missouri Democrats, "World War II Veteran, Missouri Democrats file suit to give Missourians the chance to elect new Lieutenant Governor," June 19, 2018
- ↑ Houston Herald, "Missouri's new lieutenant governor says he's moving forward despite lawsuit," June 20, 2018
- ↑ OzarksFirst.com, "Gov. Parson Responds to Dems Lawsuit on Kehoe Appointment," June 22, 2018
- ↑ KMBC News, "Missouri judge says governor can appoint Lt. governor," July 12, 2018
- ↑ St. Louis Business Journal, "Judge tosses suit seeking to stop appointment of lieutenant governor," July 12, 2018
- ↑ MissouriNet.com, "Missouri Democratic Party appealing judge’s decision in lawsuit involving Kehoe appointment," July 18, 2018
- ↑ The Kansas City Star, "Missouri Supreme Court says lieutenant governor appointment was legal," April 16, 2019
