HB 1444 -- NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS

SPONSOR:  Jones (89)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 13 to 0.

This bill requires the governing body of any city, county, town,
or village or any entity created by these political subdivisions
to hold a public meeting and to allow public comment four
business days prior to voting on an issue involving fee or tax
increases, eminent domain, zoning, transportation development
districts, capital improvement districts, commercial improvement
districts, or tax increment financing.  These provisions will not
apply to any votes or discussions related to proposed ordinances
that require a minimum of two separate readings on different days
or in case of an emergency; and tax measures under these
provisions will not include the setting of the annual tax rates
in Sections 67.110 and 137.055, RSMo.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and
FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow local
citizens to attend meetings concerning important economic issues
such as eminent domain and taxes.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Jones (89).

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the bill and its
larger companion bill, HB 1445, create complex rules that small
cities may not be able to comply with because they are operated
largely by unpaid volunteers.  It is unjust to impose large fines
for highly technical violations of the Open Meetings and Records
Law, commonly known as the Sunshine Law.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri Municipal League; and
St. Louis County Municipal League.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:10 pm