HS HB 267 -- COUNTY GOVERNMENT (Smith, 118)

This substitute authorizes any county without a charter form of
government to adopt ordinances, resolutions, and regulations
related to its property, affairs, and government that are not
governed by the constitution or state statute.  If a county
passes an ordinance that conflicts with a municipal ordinance,
the municipal ordinance overrides the county ordinance within
the corporate boundaries of the municipality.  The General
Assembly has the power to further define, broaden, limit, or
otherwise regulate the power of a county to adopt any
ordinance, resolution, or regulation.  The county may submit
any ordinance, resolution, or regulation to the voters for
approval.  The substitute also allows a petition to be
submitted by a qualified voter to the governing body of the
county proposing an ordinance, resolution, or regulation.  The
petition must be signed by 15% of qualified voters.  Upon the
filing of a valid petition, the governing body of the county
must place the question on the ballot at the next general
election for approval or rejection.

All counties are authorized to appoint persons to fill any
position in any department governed by the county and may also
fix the compensation of the position.  The governing body is
also authorized to provide health insurance, life insurance,
retirement plans, and workers' compensation.

The substitute also deletes certain statutes regarding the
current operation of county governments.

Currently, only St. Louis, St. Charles, Greene, Jefferson,
Franklin, Cass, Marion, Stone, Lincoln, Stoddard, and Warren
counties and the City of St. Louis may seek voter approval to
levy a sales tax for purposes of establishing a community
children's services fund.  This substitute allows any county in
the state and the City of St. Louis to seek voter approval for
this sales tax.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am