FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE JOINT

RESOLUTION NO. 11

91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES GAMBARO, HANAWAY, FRASER, MERIDETH, O'TOOLE,

CARNAHAN, BRAY (Co-sponsors), FOLEY, HAYWOOD, FARNEN, SECREST AND REINHART.

Read 1^st time January 16, 2001, and 1000 copies ordered printed.

TED WEDEL, Chief Clerk

0728L.01I

JOINT RESOLUTION

Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri, an amendment repealing sections 31, 32(a) and 32(b) of article VI of the Constitution of Missouri, relating to the city of St. Louis and adopting three new sections in lieu thereof relating to the same subject.

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 VI of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:

Section A. Sections 31, 32(a) and 32(b), article VI, Constitution of Missouri, are repealed and three new sections adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 31, 32(a) and 32(b), to read as follows:

Section 31. The city of St. Louis, as now existing, is recognized both as a city and as a county unless otherwise changed in accordance with the provisions of this constitution. As a city it shall continue for city purposes with its present charter, subject to changes and amendments provided by the constitution or by law, and with the powers, organization, rights and privileges permitted by this constitution or by law. As a county, it shall not be required to adopt a county charter but may amend or revise its present charter 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.

Section 32(a). The charter of the city of St. Louis now existing, or as hereafter amended or revised, may be amended from time to time by proposals therefor submitted by the lawmaking body of the city to the qualified voters thereof, at a general or special election held at least sixty days after the publication of such proposals, and accepted by three-fifths of the qualified electors voting for or against each of said amendments so submitted. [Any such amendments so accepted shall take effect immediately, except as therein otherwise provided.]

Section 32(b). [The lawmaking body of the city may order an election by the qualified voters of the city of a board of thirteen freeholders of such city to prepare a new or revised charter of the city, which shall be in harmony with the constitution and laws of the state, and shall provide, among other things for a chief executive and a house or houses of legislation to be elected by general ticket or by wards. Such new or revised charter shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the city at an election to be held not less than twenty nor more than thirty days after the order therefor, and if a majority of the qualified voters voting at the election ratify the new or revised charter, then said charter shall become the organic law of the city and shall take effect, except as otherwise therein provided, sixty days thereafter, and supersede the old charter of the city and amendments thereto.] In the event of any revision or amendment of the charter of the city of St. Louis which shall reorganize any county office or transfer any or all of the duties, powers and functions of any county officer who is then in office, the officer shall serve out the remainder of his or her term, and the revision or amendment of the charter of the city of St. Louis shall take effect as to such office upon the expiration of the term of that office holder. In addition, all of the staff of any such county officer shall be afforded the opportunity to remain employees of the city of St. Louis with their individual seniority and compensation unaffected and on such other comparable terms and conditions as may be fair and equitable. Nothing in this section shall deprive any person of any existing right or privilege to retire or of any retirement benefits to which he or she was entitled immediately prior to the effective date of this section.

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