HCS HB 1539 -- QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES

SPONSOR:  May (Dixon)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute prohibits persons whom have been convicted of,
plead guilty to, or plead nolo contendere to a class A or B
felony or a felony sex offense from being certified as a
candidate for election to any state or local office or having
their name appear on a ballot for any election unless pardoned by
the Governor or the President of the United States.  The
substitute also prohibits persons whom have been convicted of,
plead guilty to, or plead nolo contendere to a class C or D
felony from being certified as a candidate for election to any
state or local office or having their name appear on a ballot for
any election until five years after completion of their sentence
or probation.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is necessary because
dangerous felons should not be allowed to hold elected office
unless they are pardoned.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Dixon.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:15 am