JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Legislature fully passed a public safety bill Wednesday, clearing the way for St. Louis’ police department to be controlled by a governor-appointed board of police commissioners.

House Bill 495, sponsored by St. Louis County Republican State Rep. Brad Christ, is the first piece of legislation to make it to desk of Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe.

The vote on the final bill in the House was 113-39. GOP Representatives also forced an emergency clause vote, which also passed, meaning its implementation can begin as early as August.

Christ’s bill merged with a similar Senate proposal spearheaded by State Sen. Nick Schroer, R-St. Charles County.

One by one, representatives from St. Louis to Kansas City stood to question Christ Wednesday morning. Both Democrats and Republicans rose to speak on the first bill to be completely passed and agreed on.

The department had been under state control since beginning of the Civil War. That was until a statewide ballot initiative was approved by Missouri voters in 2012 with 64% approving the move the department under the direct prevue of the Mayor of St. Louis, who at the time was Francis Slay–a moderate Democrat who was known for working with Republicans.

Even though she wasn’t in the chamber, one name kept coming up: St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones. Two representatives said that her leadership forced the legislature’s hands. 

“I believe St. Louis knows what’s best for St. Louis…I think this is a slap in the face to the people of St. Louis,” Rep. Tonya Rush, D-St. Louis County, said. “This is absolutely disrespect.”

There was at least one Democrat who stood up in support for the massive bill.

Rep. Steve Butz, D-St. Louis, cited safety as the main reason be believes in the bill and why he voted for it.

Almost every member who rose to speak on the bill said there were provisions in the omnibus safety bill that they agreed with. Monday’s final vote in the Senate was 27 to 5.

The GOP governor from north St. Louis says signing this into law is one of his top priorities. 

“The model in place, before the 2013 swapping of power, worked for the citizens and the police officers of St. Louis,” Kehoe told FOX 2 last week. “We think it’s a good model to have happen…we’re taking politics out of that.”

When asked about the future of St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy, Kehoe signaled support for the chief, saying Tracy is moving the department in the right direction.

Earlier in the week after the Senate gave its final nod on the measure, Mayor Jones blasted lawmakers in a statement. 

“This effort to take away St. Louisans’ control of their own police department is in line with the cowardly attempts at autocracy we are seeing at the national level,” she said. “I cannot and will not sit down and allow this complete disregard for democracy to compromise the safety of our residents for political gain. This fight is far from over.”

Returning control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is just one sliver of a much-broader proposal that includes numerous other provisions.