HCS SCS SB 591 -- SEWER DISTRICTS

SPONSOR:  Kenney (Hoppe)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Local Government and Related Matters by a vote of 18 to 0.

This substitute increases the membership of the common sewer
district board of trustees in Jackson and Cass counties from 7
to 8 members.  The composition of the board is also changed.
The substitute clarifies that the membership of the board of
trustees will increase to 9 if the district extends into any
county bordering the county in which the greater portion of the
district lies, adding the presiding commissioner or county
executive of the adjoining county as the additional member.
Current law already allows the presiding commissioner or county
executive of the adjoining county to be an additional member of
the board.

The substitute also changes the approval required for issuing
bonds by all common sewer districts from four-sevenths to a
majority of the voters of the sewer district who vote on the
question.  Districts are given the option of issuing bonds if
approved by the written assent of three-fourths of the customers
of the sewer district.  The substitute defines "customer" as it
relates to the issuance of bonds.

The substitute also allows the State Auditor to audit any
metropolitan sewer district established by the state
constitution.

Cities, towns, and villages are given the authority to terminate
water service for the nonpayment of sewer service.  Under
current law, only the cities of St. Joseph and Arnold have this
authority.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow all users
to be represented on the board.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Kenney; Little Blue Valley
Sewer District; and City of Lee Summit.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:48 am