HJR 19 -- CHARTER COUNTIES

CO-SPONSORS:  King, Johnson (47)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government by a vote of 14 to 2.

This proposed constitutional amendment allows any county to adopt
a charter form of government.  Currently, only counties having a
population of 85,000 inhabitants or any county which attains
first classification county status and maintains that status for
two years is authorized to adopt a charter form of government.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0 in
FY 2004, $34,850 in FY 2005, and $0 in FY 2006.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the constitutional amendment
will allow counties more local control.  Many counties continue
to operate with the outdated township form of government.
Citizens of counties are capable of self government.  The bill
will help give citizens better representation in county
government.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Johnson (47); William
C. Phelps; and Franklin P. Norman.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am