MO HR476

Charges Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon with willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office for failing to issue writs of election "without delay" to fill four vacant seats in the Missouri General Assembly (three House districts and one Senate district) as required by Section 21.110, RSMo and Article III, Section 14 of the Missouri Constitution.

Alleges that Governor Nixon's delays deprived approximately 285,000 Missouri citizens of their constitutional right to legislative representation, with the longest vacancy (120th House District) lasting 430 days by the time an election was scheduled for August 5, 2014.

States that multiple election dates were available to fill the vacancies but Governor Nixon chose not to schedule elections at the earliest possible times, thereby violating state law and constitutional obligations to faithfully execute the laws.

Adopts two Articles of Impeachment finding Governor Nixon guilty of willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office, both impeachable offenses under Article VII, Section 1 of the Missouri Constitution.

Directs that Governor Nixon shall stand trial before a special commission of seven jurists to be elected by the Missouri Senate upon impeachment by the House of Representatives.