To repeal section 478.387, RSMo 1994, relating to circuit judges, and to enact one new section relating to the same subject.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Section 478.387, RSMo 1994, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 478.387, to read as follows:

478.387. 1. There shall be twenty-four circuit judges in the twenty-second judicial circuit consisting of the city of St. Louis.

2. On the effective date of this act, the six additional judges authorized for the circuit court of the twenty-second judicial circuit shall be appointed in the following manner at the following times: Upon the occurrence of a vacancy in any associate circuit judge position in the twenty-second judicial circuit, such position shall be abolished and a vacancy shall be deemed to exist in a circuit judge position in the twenty-second judicial circuit, which shall be filled as provided by section 25(a) to (g) of article V of the constitution, except that there shall be one associate circuit judge position in the twenty-second judicial circuit at all times.