GS 4.A—The student will examine the Missouri Constitution and state government. Complete text of Missouri Constitution. http://www.moga.mo.gov/const/moconstn.htm Governor is head of Executive Branch Serves a four year term (limited to 2 terms) Requirements: 30 years old U.S. citizen for 15 years Missouri citizen for 10 years Duties/Powers of Governor: Commander-in-Chief of National Guard Appoint directors of agencies and State Judges Issue Pardons and Reprieves Annual “State of the State” address Submit an annual budget Approve or Veto bills If the Governor dies or resigns, the Lieutenant Governor takes over Duties/Powers of Lt. Governor Serves as president of Missouri Senate Votes only if there is a tie Serves on various boards and official groups Qualifications are the same as Governor The Secretary of State is responsible for providing and preserving information for the public Oversees all elections Qualifications: must be a resident of Missouri for 1 year The Attorney General serves as the chief legal officer of the state Represents the interests of government agencies and citizens Qualifications: Must be an attorney and live in Jefferson City while in office The Missouri legislature is known as the General Assembly It is divided into two houses: Senate—upper house House of Representatives—lower house Legislature is in session from January to May each year Senate has 34 members Senators serve 4 year terms (1/2 elected every two years)—8 years max. Presided over by Lt. Gov. (President pro Tempore takes over in his absence) Approves gubernatorial appointments Qualifications: 30 years old A qualified Missouri voter for 3 years A resident of their district for 1 year House of Representatives has 163 members Representatives serve 2 year terms—8 years max. H.O.R. is presided over by the Speaker of the House Qualifications: 24 years old A qualified voter of Missouri for 2 years A resident of their district for 1 year Bills can originate in either house Bills are sent into committee for consideration of validity and need Committees can report on bills in 6 ways No report at all Report as “do pass” Pass with amendments Return the bill without recommendation Replace with a “committee substitute” bill Report as “do not pass” (which kills the bill) The bill then goes through several readings and is eventually voted on for passage 18 Senate votes and 82 House votes are required to pass (constitutional majority) If both houses pass same bill, it is declared “truly agreed to and finally passed” The governor then has 15 days to act on the bill If vetoed, a 2/3 vote of both houses can override that veto Divided into three levels: Circuit Appeals Supreme All judges must be licensed to practice law and are required to retire at age 70. Circuit and Associate Circuit courts are divided by county Handle civil and criminal trials Associate Circuit court judges must be at least 25 years of age, a qualified voter of Missouri, and a resident of the county and serve 4 year terms Circuit judges must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States at least 10 years, a qualified voter of Missouri at least three years, and a resident of the circuit at least one year and serve 6 year terms Appeals Court judges must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizen for 15 years, MO voter for 9 years. They are appointed and then retained by a vote of the people every 12 years The State Supreme Court is highest court in land Has seven members Chief position rotates every two years Same qualifications as Appeals courts Use the following link to review for the test: http://www.studystack.com/menu-27386 http://www.studystack.com/menu-27386 http://www.moga.mo.gov/const/moconstn.h tm Senate, Missouri State (2007). Showing You the Show-Me State. http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/seals/ mo_seal.htm Citizen of Missouri Public Office Law Enforcement