SCS HB 1634 -- COUNTY COLLECTORS; LAND TRUSTS; PROPERTY
CONVEYANCES

COUNTY COLLECTORS (Sections 52.250 - 54.327, RSMo)

This bill requires all counties that become counties of the
second classification after December 31, 2000, to deduct one-half
of 1% of all taxes collected to be used for the mailing of
statements and receipts.

The fee for collecting delinquent and back taxes is increased
from 5% to 7%.  Under current law, two-fifths of this fee is
deposited into the county general revenue fund.  The bill
requires two-sevenths to be deposited into general revenue.
Two-sevenths is also required to be deposited into the tax
maintenance fund created in the bill.  The three-fifths of the
fee that was deposited into the county employees' retirement fund
in decreased to three-sevenths of the fee.

In all counties, except St. Louis and Jackson and the City of St.
Louis, a tax maintenance fund is established.  The fund is to be
funded by an additional 2% fee on the collection of delinquent
and back taxes.  The fund is to be used for administrative and
operational costs of the collector.  The bill limits the amount
of money in the fund.  Money in excess of the limit must be
transferred to the county general revenue fund.  St. Charles
County is allowed to charge an additional 1% of delinquent taxes.
Two-thirds of the moneys collected on delinquent taxes by St.
Charles County must be deposited into the county general revenue
fund and one-third deposited into the tax maintenance fund.

The bill also allows collectors to accept credit cards for the
payment of personal property taxes.  Counties are not allowed to
add a surcharge for the use of the credit card.

LAND TRUSTS (Sections 141.610 - 141.790)

This bill makes several changes to the law on land trusts.  The
bill:

(1)  Requires that any challenge to the validity of an
administrator's or sheriff's deed commence within one year;

(2)  Requires the county executive to appoint land trust members.
If a county executive does not exist, the county commission will
appoint the members;

(3)  Authorizes a land trust to sell certain tracts of vacant
residential property to the owners of contiguous property;

(4)  Requires copies of the budget to be delivered to the county
and city that appointed the trustee members.  If the governing
bodies of the county and city do not object to the budget, it
will become the budget of the land trust.  The approved budget
may only be amended with the consent of the county and city that
appointed members;

(5)  Allows land trusts in counties of the first classification
having a charter form of government to retain revenue from land
sales to pay salaries and expenses of the trust.  If the revenue
derived from land sales is insufficient to meet the expenses of
the land trust, it can requisition additional funds from the
county and city.  The additional funds cannot exceed $25,000 per
year without the consent of the county and city.  The budget of
the land trust must be approved by the governing bodies of the
county and city that appointed the trustee members; and

(6)  Allows performance audits by the State Auditor or the Kansas
City Auditor.  Cost of performance audits must be paid for by the
land trust and made available to the public within 30 days of
completion.

ABANDONED PROPERTY (Sections 447.620 - 447.640)

Current law requires that several conditions be met in order for
an organization to petition the court for temporary possession of
abandoned property.  One of these requirements is that the
organization must intend to rehabilitate the property and use it
for low- or moderate-income housing.  The bill eliminates this
requirement.

Under current law, title to the property is conveyed to the
organization one year following the entry of the order granting
temporary possession to the organization.  Under the bill, title
is conveyed to the organization when the rehabilitation is
complete.

The bill allows the owner of the property to file a motion for
restoration of possession prior to the completion of
rehabilitation.  If the rehabilitation has not already been
completed by the organization, the court will determine whether
the owner has the resources and capacity to complete the
rehabilitation.  If the court determines that the owner is not
able to complete the rehabilitation, the court will not restore
possession to the owner.  However, if the court determines that
the owner is able to complete the rehabilitation, possession of
the property will be restored to the owner, and the court will
determine proper compensation due to the organization for its
expenditures.

Current law requires that the organization file an annual report
detailing its rehabilitation and use of the property, including a
statement of all expenditures made by the organization.  The bill
requires that these reports be submitted quarterly.

The bill authorizes the conveyance of certain state property
located in the Battle of Athens State Historic Site, Cuivre River
State Park, Washington State Park, and in Jefferson County to
certain parties specified by the bill.  In consideration for the
property conveyed, the Department of Natural Resources is
authorized to receive certain property from the specified
parties.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:01 am