SCS/SB 431 - This act provides that circuit clerks in first, second and fourth class counties will be appointed by the judges of the circuit court en banc beginning January 1, 1999. The clerk initially appointed shall be the clerk in office on December 31, 1998. After January 1, 1999, the clerks shall serve subject to the personnel rules of the Missouri Supreme Court.

The County Commission of any third class county may submit to the voters of such county the question of whether the circuit clerk shall be appointed. If the voters vote in favor of such question, the circuit clerk shall be appointed on the January 1 after the next general election at which the circuit clerk would have next been elected. In those counties that have one person performing duties of circuit clerk and recorder of deeds, a recorder of deeds position shall be created and become an elected position if the circuit clerk becomes appointed.

A ten dollar fee on land instruments is authorized to fund a separate recorder of deeds office in those counties where the office had been previously combined with the circuit clerk's office.

JAMES KLAHR