Missouri Constitution

Adopted by Constitutional Convention September 29, 1944

Ratified by vote of the People February 27, 1945

Became effective upon Admission March 30, 1945

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Table of Contents

Article III. Legislative Department

Legislative power--general assembly

Election of representatives--apportionment commission, appointment, duties, compensation

Qualifications of representatives

Senators--number--senatorial districts

Qualifications of senators

Senatorial apportionment commission--number, appointment, duties, compensation

Term limitations for members of General Assembly

Apportionment of representatives

Basis of apportionment--alteration of districts

Time of election of senators and representatives

Members of general assembly disqualified from holding other offices

Vacation of office by removal of residence

Writs of election to fill vacancies

Oath of office of members of assembly--administration--effect of refusal to take oath and conviction of violation

Compensation, mileage allowance and expenses of general assembly members

Limitation on number of legislative employees

Appointment of officers of houses--jurisdiction to determine membership--power to make rules, punish for contempt and disorderly conduct and expel members

Legislative privileges

Regular sessions of assembly--quorum--compulsory attendance--public sessions--limitation on power to adjourn

Automatic adjournment--tabling of bills, when

Special session, procedure to convene--limitations--automatic adjournment

Legislative Proceedings


Style of laws--bills--limitation on amendments--power of each house to originate and amend bills--reading of bills

Referral of bills to committees--recall of referred bills--records of committees--provision for interim meetings

Limitation of scope of bills--contents of titles--exceptions

Printing of bills and amendments

Limitation on introduction of bills

Legislative journals--demand for yeas and nays--manner and record of vote

Concurrence in amendments--adoption of conference committee reports --final passage of bills

Form of reviving, reenacting and amending bills

Effective date of laws--exceptions--procedure in emergencies and upon recess