Lawmakers eye 12-year limit for mayor, school board and county seats
ST. JOSPEH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — New legislation making its way through the Missouri Senate would establish limits on how long local elected officials can serve in office.
If Senate Bill 193 ultimately becomes law, many elected offices, including mayor, school board members and every county officer could see a 12-year cap imposed on total time in the position. The legislation is sponsored by Republican Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville.
'One thing that I've noticed in my time in the Senate is that at the local level, you have this kind of good ol' boy system that really keeps people out and keeping the new, fresh ideas out,' Brattin said.
County offices like sheriff, commissioners, prosecuting attorney, treasurer and auditor, among others, would all be subject to the same restriction.
Any term of a person elected before Aug. 28, 2025, or periods of less than two years of a person completing the term of another will not be counted if the law takes effect.
'This will still give people ample time to be able to have a real true impact, learn the office and that sort of thing,' Brattin said. 'But at the same time, you know, be able to pass the baton on to somebody else.'
The bill would have immediate impacts in St. Joseph as many of the government offices locally do not have a cap on the number of terms an elected official may serve if continually elected by voters, including the mayor, city council, school board and all county officers.
Despite that, no St. Joseph mayor has ever served more than eight years and few school board members reach that mark now. On the other hand, multiple county officials over the decades have served for more than 12 years in a single office.
'We've had term limits for over 20 years at the state level of an eight year term,' Brattin said. 'I think we've got to make way and give room for new, fresh ideas and new leadership.'
With March 1 marking the final day to file bills this session, Brattin said he looks forward to furthering discussions with fellow lawmakers on the measure, which was referred to the Local Government, Elections and Pensions committee in early February.
'Once it gets moving, I'm sure there'll be some potential squawking about it. But that's part of the legislative process,' he said.
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