HCS HB 1497 -- VACANCIES IN STATEWIDE OFFICES

SPONSOR:  Deeken (Smith, 150)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 9 to 1.

Currently, the Office of United States Senator and most statewide
offices, except for the Office of the Governor, may be filled by
a gubernatorial appointment when there is a vacancy.  This
substitute requires special elections to be held for vacancies in
the offices of United States Senator, Lieutenant Governor,
Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and State
Treasurer.  If there is an impeachment proceeding for one of
these officers, the Governor will temporarily administer the
duties of the office until the trial; and if there is a
conviction, the special election process will be used to fill the
vacancy.  In the case of a vacancy in the Office of the Attorney
General, the Office of the State Auditor, or the Office of a
United States Senator, the Governor will appoint a temporary
acting attorney general, auditor, or senator who will serve until
a special election for the office is held.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
income of $0 to a cost of More than $7,000,000 in FY 2011, FY
2012, and FY 2013.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY 2011, FY
2012, and FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is necessary to allow
the citizens of the state to choose their elected officials
rather than be gubernatorial appointments.  The cost of holding
elections should not be excessive because vacancies rarely occur.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Smith (150).

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:11 pm