FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CLEMENS.
Pre-filed December 1, 2004, and ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
0116S.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 the legislative sessions of the general assembly.
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives 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, 2006, 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Section A. Section 20, article III, Constitution of Missouri, is repealed and one new section adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 20, to read as follows: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. 1. 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 first legislative session of each general assembly shall be used exclusively for the enactment of appropriation laws except for emergency legislation where health, welfare, and safety requires legislative action. The general assembly shall enact appropriation laws to remain in effect for two fiscal years.
2. 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. The second legislative session of each general assembly shall be used exclusively for the enactment of general laws except for the enactment of supplemental appropriation laws if deemed necessary and prudent.
3. 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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