Bill > SB437

This bill establishes comprehensive procedures for selecting and managing Missouri's commissioners to an Article V Constitutional Convention, which is a rarely used constitutional mechanism for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The bill specifies that Missouri will send commissioners equal to its number of congressional districts, with matching alternate commissioners, who must be Missouri citizens meeting qualifications similar to state representatives. Commissioners are disqualified if they are federal legislators, federal employees, federal contractors, or statewide elected officials. The selection process involves a joint legislative committee recommending at least three eligible candidates for each district, with the state house and senate making final selections, ensuring that at least one-third of commissioners are not sitting legislators. Commissioners must take an oath to follow specific instructions established by the general assembly, including maintaining a one-state-one-vote procedure and requiring a majority vote of Missouri commissioners to cast Missouri's single vote. The bill creates a joint legislative committee with oversight powers, including the ability to recall commissioners who vote outside authorized instructions, and provides mechanisms for the general assembly to modify instructions or replace commissioners. The goal is to tightly control Missouri's participation in any potential constitutional amendment convention, ensuring strict adherence to state legislative intent.

Government Affairs

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=393