HB 1760 -- CEMETERIES

SPONSOR:  Summers

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government and Related Matters by a vote of 20 to 0.

This bill allows counties to assume jurisdiction and control
over pioneer cemeteries within the county for the purpose of
maintenance and repair.  A pioneer cemetery is one with 6 or
fewer burials in the preceding 50 years.  The county may by
ordinance create a cemetery board for pioneer cemeteries to
assume jurisdiction and control.  The county ordinance must
describe the number of board members, appointment of the board,
appointing authority, term of office, officers, employees,
organization, procedure, and compensation.  The county may
delegate power and duties to the board.  Costs related to the
pioneer cemeteries are paid from county general revenue.

The bill also allows any county, upon voter approval, to levy an
annual tax for maintaining cemeteries within the county and
paying cemetery boards.  The tax may not exceed 6.75 cents per
$100 assessed valuation on all taxable property.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will allow counties
the option of taking care of abandoned cemeteries.  The bill is
modeled after an Iowa law.  The people must approve any tax to
take care of the cemeteries.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Summers.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

HB 1760 -- Cemeteries

Sponsor:  Summers

This bill allows counties to assume jurisdiction and control
over pioneer cemeteries within the county for the purpose of
maintenance and repair.  A pioneer cemetery is one with 6 or
fewer burials in the preceding 50 years.  The county may by
ordinance create a cemetery board for pioneer cemeteries to
assume jurisdiction and control.  The county ordinance must
describe the number of board members, appointment of the board,
appointing authority, term of office, officers, employees,
organization, procedure, and compensation.  The county may
delegate power and duties to the board.  Costs related to the
pioneer cemeteries are paid from county general revenue.

The bill also allows any county, upon voter approval, to levy an
annual tax for maintaining cemeteries within the county and
paying cemetery boards.  The tax may not exceed 6.75 cents per
$100 assessed valuation on all taxable property.