WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SCS SB 944

SCS/SB 944 - Current law provides that compensation for the attorney for the sheriff of the City of St. Louis shall be not less than $3,000 and not more than $15,000 per year. This act provides that the sheriff shall set the rate of compensation for the attorney, and the attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

2026 Regular Session

Missouri bill grants St. Louis sheriff sole authority to set attorney compensation and employment terms, removing statutory salary limits and tenure protections.

S Consent Calendar
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SCS SB 944

Legislative bill overview

SCS SB 944 removes the statutory salary range ($3,000-$15,000 annually) for the St. Louis sheriff's attorney and grants the sheriff unilateral authority to set compensation. The attorney would serve at the sheriff's pleasure, meaning employment could be terminated without cause.

Why is this important

This change shifts compensation decisions from legislatively mandated guidelines to executive discretion, affecting job security and pay equity for a legal position serving a major city's law enforcement. It reflects broader questions about oversight mechanisms for municipal executive positions and whether statutory protections serve important accountability functions.

Potential points of contention

  • Removal of pay protections: Eliminating the statutory range removes a baseline protection and could create vulnerability to arbitrary compensation decisions or political pressure
  • At-will employment implications: "Serves at the pleasure of the sheriff" allows termination without cause, potentially compromising the attorney's ability to provide independent legal counsel if conflicts with the sheriff's preferences arise
  • Lack of transparency: Shifting to discretionary compensation removes public record clarity about pay-setting processes and removes legislative oversight of a salaried city position

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

Sign in to ask a question.