CCS/HCS/SCS/SB 569 - This act modifies the law relating to elections.LAW ENFORCEMENT DISTRICTS
Currently, law enforcement districts may be created in first class counties without a charter form of government and a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less. This act allows all first class counties to establish such districts. Currently, districts areas are required to be contiguous. The act specifies that two areas may be contiguous if both are adjacent to the shoreline of the same body of water.
If a property owner within the proposed district does not join the petition or file an entry of appearance, a copy of the petition shall be served upon the property owner.
If ballot measures proposing a property tax levied by the district is approved, the tax will become effective on the first day of the second calendar quarter after the director of revenue receives notification of the adoption of the tax. If a tax levy fails, such a measure may not be placed on the ballot for at least 12 months.
Currently, a district's property tax levy may be terminated by a petition of the voters. This provision is repealed. A petition shall be required to place the question of repealing the tax on the ballot.(Sections 67.1860, 67.1864, 67.1866, 67.1868, 67.1870, 67.1872, 67.1874, 67.1878, 67.1880, 67.1886, 67.1888, 67.1890, 67.1892, 67.1894, 67.1896, 67.1898)
THIRD CLASS CITY PRIMARIES
Certain third class cities are allowed to eliminate, by ordinance or order, primary elections for mayor and councilmen offices. Any person wishing to become a candidate for these offices must file a statement of candidacy with the city clerk in order to be placed on the ballot. (Section 78.090)
FOURTH CLASS CITY ALDERMEN
Aldermen in fourth class cities shall be at least 18 instead of 21 years of age. (Section 79.070)
JACKSON COUNTY TRANSIT AUTHORITY TAXES
Taxes levied by the Jackson county Transit Authority for the operation of transportation facilities is added to the list of taxes that may not be deposited into a special allocation fund for the purposes of tax increment financing. (Section 99.845)
ELECTION JUDGES
Election judges are required to swear that they will support and defend the United States and Missouri constitutions. (Section 115.091)
DATES AVAILABLE FOR ELECTIONS
This act removes the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June as a date available for public elections. Currently, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February is available for public elections. This act only allows bond elections to occur on that date.
This act allows tax elections necessitated by a financial hardship due to a 5% or greater decline in per-pupil state revenue to a school district from the previous year, to be conducted at any time. (Section 115.123)
BALLOTS
Party emblems shall not be printed on the ballot above the party caption. (Section 115.241)
ELECTION OFFENSES
It is a class four election offense for an election authority or political subdivision to discourage potential candidates from filing for the purposes of eliminating the requirement to hold an election. (Section 115.637)
This act is similar to HCS/HB 121 (2011), HCS/HB 889 (2011), HCS/SB 61 (2011), CCS/HCS/SB 282 (2011), HCS/SCS/SB 270 (2011), HCS/HB 1340 (2012), SCS/SB 671 (2012), HCS/HB 1060 (2012), HCS/SB 1106 (2012), HB 1036 (2012), SB 668 (2012), HB 1358 (2012), HB 1692 (2012), and HB 1250 (2012).
CHRIS HOGERTY