To repeal section 49.267, RSMo 1994, and section 67.400, RSMo Supp. 1995, relating to county government, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to the same subject.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Section 49.267, RSMo 1994, and section 67.400, RSMo Supp. 1995, are repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof to be known as sections 49.267 and 67.400, to read as follows:

49.267. 1. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, the county commission of any county [of the second class] may set a speed limit on any county road, not within the limits of any incorporated city, town, or village, lower than that otherwise provided by law. However, in no case shall the speed limit be set lower than twenty-five miles per hour. The commission shall send copies of any such order to the superintendent of the state highway patrol. After the roads have been properly marked by signs indicating the speed limits set by the county commission, the speed limits so set shall be in full force and effect.

2. For the purpose of promoting the public safety, health and general welfare and to protect life and property, the governing body of any county is empowered to adopt, by order or ordinance, regulations to control vehicular traffic upon the public roads and highways in the unincorporated territory of such counties and to establish reasonable speed regulations in congested areas upon such public roads and highways in the unincorporated territory of such counties. Such regulations shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the general motor vehicle laws of this state.

3. Before the adoption of such regulations, the county commission shall hold at least three public hearings thereon, fifteen days' notice of the time and place of which shall be published in at least two newspapers having a general circulation within the county, and notice of such hearing shall also be posted at least fifteen days in advance thereof in four conspicuous places in the county; provided, however, that any regulations respecting stop signs, signal lights and speed limits on state or federal highways shall be approved by the state highway and transportation commission before the same shall become effective.

4. The regulations adopted shall be codified, printed and distributed for public use; provided, however, that adequate signs displaying the speed limit must be posted along the highway at the points along such highways where such speed limits begin and end.

67.400. The governing body of any city, town, village, or county [of the first classification and any county of the first class with a charter form of government] may enact orders or ordinances to provide for vacation and the mandatory demolition of buildings and structures, excluding farm buildings and structures, or mandatory repair and maintenance of buildings or structures, excluding farm buildings and structures, within the corporate limits of the city, town, village or county which are detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents and declared to be a public nuisance.