JEFFERSON CITY — A proposed constitutional amendment that would change Missouri's judicial selection process has gained preliminary approval in the House.
The amendment would give the governor more options when appointing members to the Supreme Court, appeals courts and the circuit courts in the St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield areas.
It also would change the composition of the panels that submit judicial nominees to the governor and require them to conduct parts of their business in public.
The House endorsed the measure Tuesday by an 82-72 vote. But it needs a second House vote to go to the Senate. If also approved by senators, the measure would appear on the 2010 ballot.
A similar measure received preliminary House approval last year but was defeated in a second-round vote.