HCS SB 809 -- MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES

SPONSOR: Klarich (Hoppe)

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on Local Government and Related Matters by a vote of 15 to 0.

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

(1) Allows a proposing agent to make minor changes to a boundary change proposal after the proposal has been submitted to the boundary commission;

(2) Requires a simplified boundary change petition to be signed by 75% of the residential property owners;

(3) Requires a $2,000 fee to be submitted by the municipality with every boundary change proposal;

(4) Redefines the definition of "unincorporated pocket" to include areas with a population of no more than 200; under current law the population requirement is an area with a population less than 5,000;

(5) Requires a 3-year waiting period before reconsideration of a disapproved boundary change;

(6) Requires boundary change petitions to be presented to the commission within 280 days following the date that the first signature was obtained; and

(7) Allows unincorporated areas of the county to remain unincorporated after certain conditions have been met and approved by the voters. If a proposal to remain unincorporated is approved, then the area will remain unincorporated for 7 years.

Action may be taken against the boundary commission if it fails to comply with provisions of this unincorporation law.

The substitute allows unimproved property within municipalities in Jackson County to be annexed by ordinance by another municipality. The annexation may be stopped by written notice by the municipality containing the unimproved property.

The substitute also change certain annexation laws allowing a majority of owners of agricultural property to file objections to proposed annexation.

FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill would stop disputes between some municipalities and make annexation easier.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Klarich.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

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