HJR 28 -- QUALIFICATION OF LEGISLATORS

SPONSOR:  Villa

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 18 to 2.

This proposed constitutional amendment lowers the age requirement
for membership in the Missouri House of Representatives from 24
to 21 years of age and for membership in the Missouri Senate from
30 to 21 years of age.  The amendment also changes the
requirement to be a qualified voter for two years for membership
in the House of Representatives to a requirement to be a
qualified voter.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $43,800 in FY 2003,
$0 in FY 2004, and $0 in FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that age requirements for the
Missouri General Assembly are among the highest in the nation.
With term limits starting to go into effect, it is very important
that younger people be allowed to hold office or there may be a
shortage of interested candidates.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Villa; and Associated
Students of the University of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:03 am