HJR 23 -- IMPEACHMENT TRIALS

SPONSOR:  Emery

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 6 to 3 with 1 present.

This proposed constitutional amendment requires, upon voter
approval, impeachments to by tried by the Senate.   If the
Governor is to be tried, the Chief Justice of the Missouri
Supreme Court will preside.  No person will be convicted without
a two-thirds vote by all senators present.  Currently,
impeachments are tried before the Missouri Supreme Court or a
special commission of seven jurists selected by the Senate.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that they are concerned that the
current constitution is a violation of the system of checks and
balances between the branches of government.  Holding impeachment
trials in the Supreme Court removes the process from the people
because the court is less accountable to the public than the
Senate.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Emery and Cooper
(158); Missouri First; and American Asleep No More.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Amy Woods, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm