We believe it is time to end the antiquated Missouri law that requires the attorney general to live in Jefferson City.
At least one prefiled bill, Rep. Lindell Shumake's House Bill 1347, would accomplish this. Last year, a similar bill failed to gain traction.
The issue came to light close to a year ago, with news reports current Attorney General Josh Hawley continued to live in his Boone County residence between Columbia and Ashland instead of moving to Jefferson City.
State law says the "attorney general shall reside at the seat of government and keep his office in the supreme court building."
Democrats pounced on Hawley, whose spokesman said he was complying with the law.
"The attorney general maintains a nearby residence as a matter of custom and his permanent residence is minutes away, enabling him to be at the capital on even the shortest notice," spokeswoman Loree Ann Paradise told the News Tribune.
We also criticized the AG, saying he, of all people, should obey the law.
Hawley got an apartment here in Jefferson City in an attempt to satisfy the letter of the law and silence his critics. But he then voted in Boone County, adding fuel to their fire.
Last month, Jefferson City resident Donna Mueller filed a lawsuit, saying Hawley should live in Jefferson City or resign. That suit is pending.
Our intent is not to further weigh in on the issue but to make a common-sense change for the future.
The attorney general's office is the only statewide office that has a residency requirement. Back when the law was written, it probably made more sense the AG could be summoned and be in his office in a matter of minutes.
Now, with the internet, cellphones, digital signatures, internet banking, Skype, etc., the attorney general presumably could do pretty much the same thing from Timbuktu that he could in his Jefferson City office.
Shumake told the Hannibal Courier-Post he'll request his bill go through the House Committee on Elections and Elected Officials, which he chairs, in hopes of moving the bill quickly.
"For any future Attorney General, it's commonsense for the future of the office," he told the newspaper.
We urge lawmakers to end the AG's residency requirement, which no longer serves a purpose.