A Missouri Senate bill giving circuit court judges the sole task of appointing the St. Louis City sheriff passed out of committee Monday, advancing to the Senate floor.

Republican Sen. David Gregory says his bill is in direct response to the turbulent tenure of ousted Sheriff Alfred Montgomery and general confusion regarding the actual duties of the office.

In December, a judge ordered Montgomery’s immediate and permanent removal following a quo warranto trial. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s Office said Montgomery forfeited his office by stepping “entirely outside the scope of his authority.”

In his short time in office, Montgomery unlawfully detained a jail commissioner and illegally arrested a private security guard, while also facing allegations he misused taxpayer resources to transport his children.

“First off, we know what we’re doing isn’t working,” Gregory told Heartlander News. “That’s a fact undisputed. And if you dispute it, you’re either clueless or you’re denying it for unfair reasons.”

Gregory argues voters often misunderstand the sheriff’s role in St. Louis City.

“This is the only sheriff’s office in the state that has no arresting powers,” Gregory said. “They are simply guarding the courts and the judges. They are simply executing the process for lawsuits.”

While some worry about stripping voters of an elected official, Gregory insists the public would still have the ultimate oversight.

“We are simply adding a step in there … judges picking who it is. Then, the voters will decide if the judges made the right decision. If they don’t, we’re removing those judges [at the ballot box],” Gregory said.

Democrats appear to be flip-flopping on the issue. Two Senate Democrats voted against the bill in committee, including Democrat Doug Beck. Meanwhile, a similar bill was filed in the House by Democrat state Rep. Nick Kimble, who lives in the city.

As lawmakers look to overhaul how the sheriff is chosen, state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says his office has been keeping an eye on the turmoil.

“There’s a good chance we will end up in the St. Louis City Sheriff’s Office, but right now, the leadership has changed. So we’re just monitoring that situation,” Fitzpatrick told Heartlander News. “We’ll jump in when it seems appropriate, if it seems appropriate.”

Montgomery’s legal team has asked for a new trial in the case of his removal, but the judge hasn’t ruled on the request. If no ruling comes by the end of April, his removal is effectively finalized.

Montgomery remains in federal custody awaiting a felony trial for witness tampering and retaliation after his bond was revoked last October for having a burner phone and an undisclosed gun collection.