HB1706 • 2026

Creates a constitutional glossary that requires voter approval

Elections

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Christensen, Mazzie (002)
Last action: 2026-05-15
Official status: 05/15/2026 - Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
Effective date: 2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on penalties for non-compliance with submission rules or what happens if a proposal fails voter approval.

Creating a Constitutional Glossary with Voter Approval

This bill creates a process for defining terms used in Missouri’s Constitution, requiring voter approval before any definitions are added or changed.

What This Bill Does

Creates a glossary of terms used in the Missouri Constitution.
Requires proposals to be submitted by members of the public and the general assembly every odd-numbered year starting September 1, 2027.
Sets rules for submitting definitions: precise term, citations from the constitution, and proposed definition.
Gives the Secretary of State and Attorney General the power to review and approve definitions.
Requires voter approval through a ballot measure before any new or changed terms are added to the glossary.

Who It Names or Affects

The public who can submit proposals for defining constitutional terms.
Members of the Missouri general assembly who can also propose definitions.
Voters who will decide on proposed changes in elections.

Terms To Know

Constitutional glossary: A list of words and their meanings used in the Constitution of Missouri.
Ballot measure: An item on an election ballot that voters can vote yes or no on, often to approve changes to laws or the constitution.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a proposed definition fails voter approval.
It is unclear how frequently definitions will be updated based on public and assembly proposals.

Bill History

2026-05-15 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Read Second Time (H)
2026-01-07 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Read First Time (H)
2025-12-01 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate
Prefiled (H)

Official Summary Text

Creates a constitutional glossary that requires voter approval

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1706
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE CHRISTENSEN.
5549H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o amend chapter 28, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to definitions of
terms in the constitution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 28, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be
2 known as section 28.850, to read as follows:
28.850. 1. A glossary of terms used in the Constitution of Missouri shall be
2 cr eated and managed under the pr ovisions of this section.
3 2. Beginning on September 1, 2027, and every September first in odd-number ed
4 years ther eafter , the secr etary of state shall accept pr oposals of terms for inclusion in the
5 constitutional glossary from members of the public and the general assembly .
6 Submissions shall close on December thirty-first of each odd-number ed year .
7 3. Pr oposals shall include the following:
8 (1) The pr ecise term to be defined;
9 (2) Citations to the use of such term thr oughout the constitution; and
10 (3) A pr oposed concise, neutral definition of such term.
11 4. The secr etary of state shall r eview all pr oposals and select terms for inclusion
12 in the constitutional glossary . The secr etary of state shall, in consultation with the
13 attorney general, ensur e that all pr oposed definitions are concise, neutral, and accurate.
14 The secr etary of state may , in consultation with the attorney general, rewri te pro posed
15 definitions to ensur e the definitions meet the requi rem ents of this section.
16 5. The secr etary of state shall complete a list of terms along with citations to the
17 use of such terms in the Constitution of Missouri and the pr oposed definition in time for
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
18 such terms to be included as a ballot measur e on the general election ballot, beginning
19 with the general election in 2028.
20 6. T erms rece iving a simple majority of votes in favor of the prop osed definition
21 shall be deemed added to the constitutional glossary .
22 7. Defined terms may be alter ed or rem oved by the same pr ocess as new terms
23 ar e pr oposed under this section.
24 8. The secr etary of state shall be res ponsible for maintaining and publishing the
25 constitutional glossary in print and on the secr etary of state's website.
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