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MO SB1415

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/7/2026

Primary Sponsor

Rick Brattin

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Eliminates Missouri's nonpartisan court plan (Article V, Section 25) which currently allows a nominating commission to select judicial candidates for the governor to appoint in certain jurisdictions
  • Requires all circuit judges and associate circuit judges to be elected through partisan elections statewide, with six-year terms beginning January 1 following the election
  • Changes appellate court appointments so that all supreme court and court of appeals judges would be appointed by the governor with Senate confirmation, rather than selected from a nonpartisan commission's nominees
  • Removes retention election provisions that currently allow judges to run unopposed on the question of whether voters want to retain them in office
  • Becomes effective only if voters approve a corresponding constitutional amendment to Article V of the Missouri Constitution

Legislative Description

Provides for the appointment of of all appellate judges by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and for the election of all circuit and associate circuit judges

Last Action

Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee

2/5/2026

Committee Referrals

General Laws2/5/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available