West Plains, Mo. – In our fourth installment of the Election Day Breakdown, our topic is Amendment 5, which would establish the Missouri National Guard as its own department within the state government.
Currently, the Missouri National Guard is part of the Department of Public Safety.
Official Ballot Title:
Shall the Missouri National Guard currently under the Missouri Department of Public Safety be its own department, known as the Missouri Department of the National Guard, which shall be required to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of Missourians?
State governmental entities estimate no savings and ongoing costs of $132,000 annually. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Missouri Department of the National Guard as a new state agency, headed by an adjutant general appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the National Guard.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Who supports/introduced this legislation? Rep. Adam Schnelting (R-St. Charles) introduced the bill on April 4, 2022, and the bill was passed on May 5, 2022. The bill passed in the House 126 yes, 2 no, and 3 other. In the Senate, it passed 32 yes, 0 no, 0 other.
How would this change the Missouri National Guard?
This would make an administrative change to the Guard as it stands now, allowing the Guard to be a stand-alone department aside the 15 other state government departments. This will also allow the adjutant general a cabinet position with the Governor’s cabinet.
Along with the administrative change, the mission of the Missouri National Guard would change to “There shall be established a Missouri Department of the National Guard in charge of the adjutant general appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, who shall provide for the state militia, uphold the Constitution of the United States, uphold the Constitution of Missouri, protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of Missourians, and provide other defense and security mechanisms as may be required.” Under Section 54 of this law. Source: https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/5096H.01P.pdf
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