HB 713 -- SEWER DISTRICTS (Franklin)

This bill allows certain county commissions to delegate and
assign their responsibility for the operation of a sewer
district to the board of trustees of any common sewer district
which lies wholly or partially in the same county.  The board is
not required to accept this responsibility.  If the board
accepts the responsibility, the assignment is irrevocable,
unless both the board and the county commission agree to a
different arrangement.

This bill establishes that once a water supply district has
filed  a proposed land annexation with the circuit court, the
court does not need to publish notice of a hearing, if the
majority of the landowners in the territory proposed to be
annexed consent in writing, and notice of the hearing is posted
in 3 public places within the territory.  If publication of the
notice is not required, the circuit court will only approve the
annexation if there is sworn testimony by at least 5 landowners
in the proposed territory, or by a majority of the landowners,
if there are fewer than 10 landowners in the territory.  In
addition, the majority of landowners within territory proposed
to be annexed to the water district may file a petition to allow
such annexation.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 713 -- SEWER DISTRICTS

SPONSOR:  Franklin

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government and Related Matters by a vote of 16 to 0.

This bill allows certain county commissions to delegate and
assign their responsibility for the operation of a sewer
district to the board of trustees of any common sewer district
which lies wholly or partially in the same county.  The board is
not required to accept this responsibility.  If the board
accepts the responsibility, the assignment is irrevocable unless
both the board and the county commission agree to a different
arrangement.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that a small sewer district operated
by a county commission would be much better managed by a larger
sewer district within the county.  This permissive legislation
will allow such a shift in responsibility should both the county
and the larger district be in agreement.  The smaller district
should receive better service and perhaps cheaper rates.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Franklin; Jackson
County; and Little Blue Sewer District of Jackson County.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Brian Cook, Research Analyst

HB 713 -- Sewer Districts

Sponsor:  Franklin

This bill allows certain county commissions to delegate and
assign their responsibility for the operation of a sewer
district to the board of trustees of any common sewer district
which lies wholly or partially in the same county.  The board is
not required to accept this responsibility.  If the board
accepts the responsibility, the assignment is irrevocable unless
both the board and the county commission agree to a different
arrangement.