Missouri House Bill HJR124

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/22
• Refer: 5/13/22

Caption

Requires certain bills raising revenue by taxation to remain on the House calendar for a specified period of time

Impact

This resolution's primary impact is on the legislative process within Missouri, as it seeks to modify how the General Assembly works with revenue-raising bills. By enforcing a thirty-day rule for taxation bills, the amendment could potentially slow down the passage of such legislation, giving more time for discussion and deliberation. Supporters may argue that this leads to better-informed decisions regarding state revenue, but critics might contend that it could hinder timely responses to fiscal needs, especially in urgent situations where revenue adjustments are required.

Summary

House Joint Resolution 124 (HJR124) proposes a significant amendment to the Missouri Constitution, specifically targeting the legislative procedure concerning bills that raise state revenues through taxation. The resolution seeks to repeal Section 21 of Article III and replace it with a new section that outlines stricter rules for how taxation-related bills must be handled in the General Assembly. Particularly, it mandates that any such bill must be on the legislative calendar of the non-originating body for at least thirty days before it can become effective, which is aimed at ensuring a more thorough review process.

Contention

Notably, HJR124 could stir considerable debate among lawmakers and stakeholders. Proponents of the amendment argue that it enhances transparency and accountability, allowing citizens and legislators alike ample time to review the implications of proposed revenue measures. On the contrary, opponents fear that the extended timeline could lead to legislative gridlock, particularly when the state faces immediate financial challenges that call for prompt action on revenue matters. Economic and political considerations surrounding the implementation of such a timeline are likely to be focal points in the discussions leading to the voting on this resolution.