HCS HB 389 -- BOUNDARIES OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (Hoppe)

This substitute makes several technical changes in the St. Louis
Boundary Commission.  The substitute:

(1)  Allows registered voters of an area to sign a petition
proposing annexation.  Under current law, residential property
owners who pay property tax are allowed to sign the petition;

(2)  Restricts a contractor of the commission from being an
elective official; and

(3)  Allows the county, an interested municipality, or any
interested party to bring an appropriate action against the
commission regarding a proposed boundary change.

The substitute requires that a qualified newspaper printing the
notification of an annexation hearing be located within the
boundaries of the petitioned city, town, or village.  If no
newspaper exists within the boundaries of the political
subdivision, then the notice must be printed in the newspaper
nearest the petitioned political subdivision.  Currently, a
newspaper of general circulation qualified to publish legal
matters is required for such notification.

In addition, the substitute allows the city of Moberly to annex
the Moberly Correctional Center.

This substitute also prohibits the state, any county, or any
other political subdivision from entering into a contract or
arrangement for the examination of a taxpayer's books and
records if the compensation for the service is contingent upon
or otherwise related to the amount of tax, interest, court cost,
or penalty assessed or collected from the taxpayer.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HCS HB 389 -- BOUNDARIES OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

SPONSOR:  Hoppe

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government and Related Matters by a vote of 15 to 3.

This bill makes several technical changes in the St. Louis
Boundary Commission.  The substitute:

(1)  Allows registered voters of an area to sign a petition
proposing annexation.  Under current law, residential property
owners who pay property tax are allowed to sign the petition;

(2)  Restricts a contractor of the commission from being an
elective official; and

(3)  Allows the county, an interested municipality, or any
interested party to bring an appropriate action against the
commission regarding a proposed boundary change.

The substitute also requires that a qualified newspaper printing
the notification of an annexation hearing be located within the
boundaries of the petitioned city, town, or village.  If no
newspaper exists within the boundaries of the political
subdivision, then the notice must be printed in the newspaper
nearest the petitioned political subdivision.  Currently, a
newspaper of general circulation qualified to publish legal
matters is required for such notification.

In addition, the substitute allows the city of Moberly to annex
the Moberly Correctional Center.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill allows citizens to be
informed of annexation hearings by their local newspapers.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Overschmidt.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

HB 389 -- Annexation

Co-Sponsors:  Overschmidt, Hoppe

This bill requires that a qualified newspaper printing the
notification of an annexation hearing be located within the
boundaries of the petitioned city, town, or village.  If no
newspaper exists within the boundaries of the political
subdivision, then the notice must be printed in the newspaper
nearest the petitioned political subdivision.  Currently, a
newspaper of general circulation qualified to publish legal
matters is required for such notification.