FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE JOINT
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM.
Read 1st time February 5, 2003, and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
JOINT RESOLUTION
Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri an amendment repealing section 29 of article IV of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting one new section in lieu thereof relating to the highways and transportation commission.
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, 2004, 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 IV of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:
Section A. Section 29, article IV, Constitution of Missouri, is repealed and one new section adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 29, to read as follows:
Section 29. The department of highways and transportation shall be in charge of a highways and transportation commission[. The number, qualifications, compensation and terms of the members of the highways and transportation commission shall be fixed by law, and not more than one-half of its members shall be of the same political party.], consisting of one member elected from each congressional district. Members shall be elected in an election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 2006, and every four years thereafter. The term of office of each member shall be four years, except the terms of the first members elected from odd-numbered congressional districts shall be two years and subsequent elections for members from those districts shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 2008, and every four years thereafter. Members shall take office at 12:00 noon on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January in the year following that member's election. Vacancies occurring during a member's term shall be filled by appointment by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. The selection and removal of all employees shall be without regard to political affiliation. The highways and transportation commission shall have authority over all state transportation programs and facilities as provided by law, including, but not limited to, bridges, highways, aviation, railroads, mass transportation, ports, and waterborne commerce, and shall have authority to limit access to, from and across state highways where the public interest and safety may require. The present members of the highway commission shall serve as members of the highways and transportation commission for the remainder of the terms for which they were appointed, except as otherwise provided in this section. All references to the highway commission and the department of highways in this constitution and in the statutes shall mean the highways and transportation commission and the department of highways and transportation.