SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE JOINT

RESOLUTION NO. 56

91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES HOLAND AND HOLLINGSWORTH (Co-sponsors).

Read 1st time February 28, 2002, and 1000 copies ordered printed.

TED WEDEL, Chief Clerk

4868L.01I

JOINT RESOLUTION

Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri an amendment repealing section 20 of article III of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting one new section in lieu thereof relating to organizational sessions of the general assembly.



Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein:

That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2002, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article III of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:

Section A. Section 20, article III, Constitution of Missouri, is repealed and one new section adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 20, to read as follows:

Section 20. The general assembly shall meet on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of December following each general election for the sole purpose of an organizational session. In the organizational session each house, after its members take the oath or affirmation of office, shall elect officers, adopt rules of its own proceedings, and appoint standing committees. No later than the fifth day after convening in organizational session each house shall adjourn until the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January.

The general assembly shall meet on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January following each general election. The general assembly may provide by law for the introduction of bills during the period between the first day of December and the first Wednesday after the first Monday of January.

The general assembly shall reconvene on the first Wednesday after the first Monday of January after adjournment at midnight on May thirtieth of the preceding year. A majority of the elected members of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide. The sessions of each house shall be held with open doors, except in cases which may require secrecy but not including the final vote on bills, resolutions and confirmations. Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than ten days at any one time, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses may be sitting.


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