HCS HB 795, 972, 1128 & 1161 -- COUNTY GOVERNMENT

SPONSOR:  Johnson (47)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government by a vote of 15 to 1.

This substitute changes the laws regarding county government.  In
its main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Prohibits any municipal official, member of a school board,
or an employee of a school district from serving on a county
board of equalization in counties with a charter form of
government;

(2)  Allows any second, third, or fourth classification county to
set by ordinance countywide speed limits on roads within
unincorporated areas of the county;

(3)  Allows the salary commission of Cape Girardeau County in
2004 to determine whether to equalize the base salary of the
county treasurer to an amount not greater than the current
maximum statutory salary for treasurers in counties of the first
classification;

(4)  Authorizes all counties without a charter form of government
to adopt certain ordinances or resolutions related to its
property, affairs, and local government.  These ordinances may
then be submitted to the voters for approval.  No county may pass
an ordinance that governs any railroad, telecommunications or
wireless company, public utility, electric cooperative, or
municipal utility.  Under current law, only counties of the
first, second, or fourth classification may adopt ordinances
related to their property, affairs, and local government.
Currently, only counties of the first, second, or fourth
classification are prohibited from adopting ordinances governing
utilities; and

(5)  Allows county commissions and industrial development
authorities to use landfill fees for economic development within
the county.  Currently, these fees are used only by industrial
development authorities.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and
FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters of HB 795 say that taxpayers sometimes
feel intimidated by county officials and employees on the board
of equalization.  Some taxpayers will not file an appeal because
they believe they can't win.

Supporters of HB 972 say that the bill gives second, third, and
fourth classification counties the authority to establish speed
limits that are more appropriate for the county.

Supporters of HB 1128 say that Cole County was given a similar
opportunity to equalize the base salaries for all county officers
last year, and Cape Girardeau County only wants to equalize the
base salary for the county treasurer.

Supporters of HB 1161 say that the bill is a step toward greater
autonomy for third classification counties.

Testifying for HB 795 was Representative Johnson (47).
Testifying for HB 972 were Representative Cooper (120); and
Missouri Association of Counties.  Testifying for HB 1128 was
Representative Lipke (157).  Testifying for HB 1161 were
Representative Smith (118); County Commissioners Association of
Missouri; and Missouri Association of Counties.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose HB 1161 say that allowing the
initiative petition process would be too costly for third
classification counties.

Testifying against HB 1161 were Howell County Commission; and
Oregon County Commission.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:13 am