HCS HB 1698 -- COMPENSATION FOR ST. LOUIS POLICE OFFICERS
(Shelton)

This substitute revises the provisions pertaining to
compensation for police officers in the City of St. Louis.

From July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2002, the substitute
increases the maximum amount of compensation which can be paid
to commissioned police officers based upon rank and length of
service as authorized by the St. Louis Board of Police
Commissioners.  The position of turnkey and its salary category
are eliminated.

The substitute does not prohibit the payment of additional
compensation to officers above the rank of sergeant as long as
funding for such payments are not paid from the general funds of
the City of St. Louis or the Board of Police Commissioners or
such payments do not violate any federal or other state law.

From July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2002, the Board of Police
Commissioners may provide a salary increase for commissioned
employees with 0-8 years of experience in excess of the maximum
amounts stated in the substitute as long as the amount paid does
not exceed 3% of the maximum amount listed for each pay category.

The substitute contains an emergency clause with an effective
date of July 1, 2000.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HCS HB 1698 -- COMPENSATION FOR ST. LOUIS POLICE OFFICERS

SPONSOR:  Shelton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Municipal
Corporations by a vote of 15 to 0.

This substitute revises the provisions pertaining to
compensation for police officers in the City of St. Louis.

From July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2002, the substitute
increases the maximum amount of compensation which can be paid
to commissioned police officers based upon rank and length of
service as authorized by the St. Louis Board of Police
Commissioners.  The position of turnkey and its salary category
are eliminated.

The substitute does not prohibit the payment of additional
compensation to officers above the rank of sergeant as long as
funding for such payments are not paid from the general funds of
the City of St. Louis or the Board of Police Commissioners or
such payments do not violate any federal or other state law.

From July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2002, the Board of Police
Commissioners may provide a salary increase for commissioned
employees with 0-8 years of experience in excess of the maximum
amounts stated in the substitute as long as the amount paid does
not exceed 3% of the maximum amount listed for each pay category.

The substitute contains an emergency clause with an effective
date of July 1, 2000.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the City of St. Louis ranks
31st among metropolitan police departments in terms of salary
paid to police officers.  The current salary paid to police
officers has been a contributing factor in the department losing
police officers.  Finally, a salary increase for the City of St.
Louis police officers would help to attract and maintain
officers on the police force.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Shelton; City of St.
Louis Police Department; and City of St. Louis.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that they are opposed
to the two-tiered pay structure and the two-year pay system
incorporated into the bill.  Opponents of the bill also stated
they were against the community enrichment incentive provision
of the bill.  The community enrichment incentive concept was
removed from the substitute.

Testifying against the bill was the St. Louis Firefighters
Association.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

HB 1698 -- Compensation for St. Louis Police Officers

Co-Sponsors:  Shelton, O'Toole, Kennedy, Gambaro, Davis (63),
May (108), Troupe

This bill revises the provisions pertaining to the compensation
for police officers in the City of St. Louis.

Beginning July 1, 2000, the bill increases the maximum amount of
compensation which can be paid to commissioned police officers
based upon rank and length of service as authorized by the St.
Louis Board of Police Commissioners.  The position of turnkey
and its salary category are eliminated.

The bill does not prohibit the payment of additional
compensation to officers above the rank of sergeant as long as
funding for such payments are not paid from the general funds of
the City of St. Louis or the Board of Police Commissioners.

From July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001, the Board of Police
Commissioners can compensate commissioned employees in excess of
the maximum amounts stated in the bill as long as the amount
paid does not exceed 3% of the maximum amount listed for each
pay category.

The bill contains an emergency clause with an effective date of
July 1, 2000.