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Bill

HR 3879

Authorizes a House committee selected by the Speaker pursuant to House Rule 63 to introduce articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins upon a finding of good cause

2026 Regular Session Introduced by LaDonna Appelbaum and 5 co-sponsors

Authorizes a House committee to consider impeachment of Secretary of State Denny Hoskins if it finds good cause.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HR 3879

Summary: House Resolution 3879 (Missouri, 2026) – Impeachment Authorization for Secretary of State Denny Hoskins

This bill is a House Resolution from the Missouri General Assembly authorizing a House committee to introduce articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, contingent on a finding of good cause by the committee.

1) Primary purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes a House committee, selected by the Speaker under House Rule 63(3), to introduce articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.
  • The trigger for introducing articles is a finding of good cause by the designated House committee.
  • The resolution appears to be a response to alleged conduct surrounding the governor’s mid-decade redistricting effort (House Bill 1) and Hoskins’ role in actions related to petition signatures and district implementation.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization for impeachment: The bill empowers a House committee (selected by the Speaker) to introduce articles of impeachment against Secretary Hoskins.
  • Condition for action: The introduction of impeachment articles requires a finding of “good cause” by the committee.
  • Scope of authority: The resolution designates the House committee as the body to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to proceed with impeachment, rather than immediate impeachment or trial.
  • No new criminal statutes or penalties are created by the bill itself; rather, it triggers a procedural mechanism for potential removal from office through impeachment.

3) Who/what is affected

  • Primary subject: Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.
  • Organized body: The Missouri House of Representatives, via a committee created or designated under House Rule 63(3).
  • Broader impact: Signals potential political/legal accountability mechanisms for actions related to state election law administration, referendum petitions, and implementation of redistricting measures.

4) Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Bill status: Introduced January 7, 2026 (H), with co-sponsors listed.
  • Procedural pathway: The Speaker would select a committee under House Rule 63(3). If the committee finds good cause, it may introduce articles of impeachment against the Secretary of State.
  • Constitutional framework: Impeachment authority resides in the Missouri General Assembly; impeachment is a political process that leads to trial and potential removal as dictated by state constitution and statutes.
  • Contextual background (as cited in the bill):
    • Background events involve public controversy over a mid-decade gerrymandering plan (House Bill 1), a referendum drive by People Not Politicians, and Hoskins’ stated actions regarding petition signatures and district implementation.
    • The bill frames Hoskins’ conduct as possible misconduct, willful neglect of duty, incompetency, or oppression in office under Article VII, Section 1 of the Missouri Constitution, thereby providing the basis for impeachment under the resolution.

Notes

  • The resolution does not itself remove Hoskins from office; it authorizes a committee to determine whether impeachment articles should be introduced based on “good cause.”
  • Given its nature, the bill serves as a formal step signaling potential accountability and could be a precursor to a constitutional impeachment process if the committee finds credible grounds.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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