MO SB97

Expands the Missouri Ethics Commission from 6 to 8 members, with appointments made by the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, president pro tempore of the senate, and speaker of the house (each appointing one member)

Increases the quorum requirement from 4 to 5 members and raises the voting threshold for commission actions from 4 to 5 affirmative votes

Establishes campaign contribution limits per election: $10,000 for statewide offices (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general); $5,000 for state senator; $2,000 for state representative and all other offices including judicial positions

Requires contribution limits to be adjusted every two years based on the consumer price index, and attributes contributions from persons under 14 years of age to their parents or guardians

Prohibits legal counsel employed by the commission from conducting investigations or audits, requiring instead that such work be performed by special investigators, which may include attorneys from the attorney general's office or retired judges