SS SJR 9 -- CITY OF ST. LOUIS

SPONSOR:  Goode (Gambaro)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Miscellaneous Bills and Resolutions by a vote of 8 to 1.

This proposed constitutional amendment allows the City of St.
Louis, in its capacity as a county, to amend or revise its
charter in order to provide for the number, kinds, manner of
selection, terms of office, and salaries of its county officers
and for the exercise of all powers and duties of counties and
county officers prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the
state.  The amendment repeals the requirement that such
amendments are to take effect immediately, except as otherwise
provided.

Section 32 (b) of the Missouri Constitution is also repealed and
a new section is proposed.  The new section pertains to the
revision or amending of the charter of the City of St. Louis
which affects the reorganization of county offices or transfers
any or all duties, powers, or functions of current county
officers.  Current county officers will complete their present
terms and the revision or amendment of the charter of the City
of St. Louis with respect to each office will take effect upon
the expiration of the current county office holder's term.

Current members of the staff of county officers are given the
opportunity to become employees of the City of St. Louis with
individual seniority and compensation unaffected.  The amendment
does not affect a person's right or privilege to retire or
retirement benefits to which a person was entitled immediately
prior to the effective date of the amendment.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0 in FY 2002,
$43,800 in FY 2003, and $0 in FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the amendment would allow the
citizens of St. Louis to change the charter that governs them
and that all other citizens of Missouri political subdivisions
have this ability.  The amendment is a high priority of area
businesses and elected officials.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Goode; Focus St. Louis;
Empower St. Louis; St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth
Association; St. Louis County Municipal League; and Office of
the Mayor, City of St. Louis.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:48 am