SS SCS HCS HB 452, 203, 377, 472, 473, 556 & 647 -- FIRE
DISTRICTS

This bill establishes that in addition to all other taxes that a
fire protection district in a first class county may impose, the
property tax that such a district may impose is raised from 30
cents to 40 cents per $100 valuation.

A fire protection district is authorized to levy an additional
property tax of up to 50 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
This tax is subject to the approval of the voters of the
district.

If any form of joint communication organization or emergency
dispatching center providing emergency dispatching services to
the fire district of any political subdivision receives funds
from levies or tariffs imposed on that political subdivision,
then that joint communication organization must include on its
board of directors one person appointed by that political
subdivision as a representative.

The election authority of St. Charles County is required to
conduct the election that will establish the first central fire
and emergency board for St. Charles County.  The election will
be in April, 1996.  The board will be permitted to meet once a
month or at the request of 4 of the 7 members.

Kansas City is permitted to create a computer-based geographical
information system and to license and establish costs for the
use of its software and computer program.  Certain businesses
and entities that rely on the system for the daily or routine
collection of data will not be subject to unreasonable fees.
The information in such a system will not be withheld from the
public, unless proper procedures are followed to make certain
information a closed record of the community.

Raytown is allowed to impose a sales tax of up to 0.25% on all
retail sales made within the fire protection district.  This tax
is subject to the approval of the voters of the district.  All
revenue from this tax will be used exclusively for the operation
of the district.

The Fire Education Fund is established.  Beginning July 1, 1996,
the fund will annually receive an amount equal to 3% of the
difference between premium taxes collected from insurance
companies during the preceding fiscal year and premium taxes
collected from insurance companies during the 1995 fiscal year.
The fund will not receive more than $1.5 million from these
taxes in any fiscal year.  Each fiscal year, 40% of the money
received that year by the fund will be transferred to the credit
of the Missouri Fire Education Trust Fund, which will be
administered by a board of trustees consisting of the State
Treasurer, 2 state senators, 2 state representatives, and 2
appointees of the Governor.  The remaining money in the fund
will be distributed to the University of Missouri Fire and
Rescue Training Institute for the purposes of providing
firefighter education.  The programs and activities of the
institute must be approved by the Missouri Fire Education
Commission, which will consist of 5 members appointed by the
Governor who will serve staggered 4-year terms without
compensation.  The commission will meet at least quarterly to
review and determine appropriate firefighter education programs.

This bill establishes an Emergency Telephone Service 911 Board
in Marion County.  The board will implement a 911 system,
supervise the system's maintenance and finances, and hire
staff.  The administrative control and management of the 911
service will rest entirely with the board.  The board will elect
a chairman, vice chairman, and a treasurer.  The treasurer will
enter into a surety bond paid for by the board.  The 11 members
of the board will be appointed by the governing body of the
county.  At least 6 of the members will represent public safety
agencies; at least 9 of the members will be residents of Marion
County or an adjoining county.  Of the first board appointed, 5
members will serve for one year, 3 members will serve for 2
years, and 3 members will serve for 3 years.  All future board
members will serve 3-year terms.  The members will receive no
compensation for their services.

A fire protection district may adopt ordinances to impose fines
not in excess of $500.  An accused person may either appear in
court or pay the fine.  Failure to do either will result in
prosecution.

If a fire protection district is dissolved, any property tax
previously collected to support the district will continue to be
collected by the city containing the district, provided that the
boundaries of the district and the city are identical.  Proceeds
from the tax will be used by the governing body of the city to
provide fire protection services to the city.

Recall procedures are established for fire protection district
board members.  A recall election will be held if a recall
petition is signed by at least 25% of the district voters who
participated in the most recent gubernatorial election.

Voters of a fire protection district must approve a motion by
the board of directors to increase the number of directors from
3 to 5.  The 6-year terms of the new board members will be
staggered.

Nominations for the board of directors of a fire protection
district will be filed at the headquarters of the district.  The
filing fee is raised from $5 to $10.

A fire protection district may adopt or repeal an ordinance that
incorporates by reference the provisions of any established
technical code without having to explicitly mention the
provisions of the code.

The powers and responsibilities of the board providing central
dispatching and emergency services for a county are outlined.
The at-large member acting as the chairman of the board will
also be a voting member.  Four members will constitute a quorum.

HCS HB 452, 203, 377, 472, 473, 556, 647 -- FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICTS (Heckemeyer)

This substitute revises statutes regarding the transition when
fire protection districts elect to change the size of the board
of directors from 3 to 5 members, staggering terms but permitting

current members to complete their terms.  Voters of the district
must approve a motion by the board of directors to increase the
number of directors from 3 to 5.

The board of directors of a fire protection district is
authorized to designate a place where one can file a declaration
of candidacy for election to the board.

A fire protection district is permitted to charge fees, ranging
from $100 to $500, for the use of its equipment or personnel by
people who are not residents of Missouri.

A fire protection district is authorized to levy an additional
property tax of up to 50 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
This tax is subject to the approval of the voters of the
district.

If any form of joint communication organization or emergency
dispatching center providing emergency dispatching services to
the fire district of any political subdivision receives funds
from levies or tariffs imposed on that political subdivision,
then that joint communication organization must include on its
board of directors one person appointed by that political
subdivision as a representative.

The county clerk of St. Charles County is required to conduct
the election that will establish the first central fire and
emergency board for St. Charles County.  The election will be in
April, 1996.  The board will be permitted to meet once a month
or at the request of 4 out of the 7 members.

Cities with a population of between 30,000 and 35,000 people
located in a county of the first classification are allowed to
impose a sales tax of up to 0.25% on all retail sales made
within the fire protection district.  This tax is subject to the
approval of the voters of the fire protection district.  All
revenue from this tax will be used exclusively for the operation
of the fire protection district.  Currently, Raytown is the only
city subject to this provision.

Any third class city is authorized to impose an additional sales
tax of no more than 0.5% on all retail sales.  The imposition of
the tax is subject to voter approval.  Revenue from the tax will
provide additional funding for the city's public safety
officers, programs, facilities, and other related expenses.  All
revenue will be deposited into a special trust fund and will not
be commingled with state funds.  This provision of the
substitute has an emergency clause.

If a fire protection district is dissolved, any property tax
previously collected to support the district will continue to be
collected by the city containing the district, provided that the
boundaries of the district and the city are identical.  Proceeds
from the tax will be used by the governing body of the city to
provide fire protection services to the city.

The Fire Education Fund is established.  Beginning July 1, 1996,
the fund will annually receive an amount of money that will
equal 3% of the difference between taxes collected from
insurance companies during the fiscal year and taxes collected
from insurance companies during the 1995 fiscal year.  The fund
will not receive more that $1.5 million in any fiscal year.
Each fiscal year, 40% of the money received that year by the
fund will be transferred to the credit of the Missouri Fire
Education Trust Fund, which will be administered by a board of
trustees consisting of the State Treasurer, 2 state senators, 2
state representatives, and 2 appointees of the Governor.  The
remaining money in the fund will be distributed to the
University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute for
the purposes of providing firefighter education.  The programs
and activities of the institute must be approved by the Missouri
Fire Education Commission, which will consist of 5 members
appointed by the Governor who will serve staggered 4 year terms
without compensation.  The commission will meet at least
quarterly and review and determine appropriate firefighter
education programs.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect to General Revenue Fund* -
Unknown in FY 96, Unknown in FY 97, & Unknown in FY 98.
*expected to cost less than $100,000 per fiscal year.  Estimated
Net Effect on Fire Education Fund of $0 in FY 96, $0 in FY 97, &
$0 in FY 98.  Estimated Net Increase to Fire Education Trust
Fund of $0 in FY 96, $8,029 in FY 97, & $8,422 in FY 98.

HCS HB 452, 203, 377, 472, 556, 647 -- FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS

SPONSOR:  Hoppe (Heckemeyer)

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

This substitute revises statutes regarding the transition when
fire protection districts elect to change the size of the board
of directors from 3 to 5 members, staggering terms but permitting

current members to complete their terms.

The board of directors of a fire protection district is
authorized to designate a place where one can file a declaration
of candidacy for election to the board.

A fire protection district is permitted to charge fees, ranging
from $100 to $500, for the use of its equipment or personnel by
people who are not residents of Missouri.

A fire protection district is authorized to levy an additional
property tax of up to 50 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
This tax is subject to the approval of the voters of the
district.

The county clerk of St. Charles County is required to conduct
the election that will establish the first central fire and
emergency board for St. Charles County.  The election will be in
April, 1996.  The board will be permitted to meet once a month
or at the request of 4 out of the 7 members.

Cities with a population of between 30,000 and 35,000 people
located in a county of the first classification are allowed to
impose a sales tax of up to 0.25% on all retail sales made
within the fire protection district.  This tax is subject to the
approval of the voters of the fire protection district.  All
revenue from this tax will be used exclusively for the operation
of the fire protection district.  Currently, Raytown is the only
city subject to this provision.

Any third class city is authorized to impose an additional sales
tax of no more than 0.5% on all retail sales.  The imposition of
the tax is subject to voter approval.  Revenue from the tax will
provide additional funding for the city's public safety
officers, programs, facilities, and other related expenses.  All
revenue will be deposited into a special trust fund and will not
be commingled with state funds.  This provision of the
substitute has an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect to General Revenue Fund of
unknown in FY 96, FY 97, and FY 98.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the provisions of this
substitute that permit certain cities and fire districts to try
to raise more funding through levy increases reflect a serious
need for fire districts and communities to be authorized to
address their own particular problems.  The current taxes
allowed by statute do not provide adequate revenue for certain
districts; and no tax increase provided in this substitute could
be implemented without voter approval. The flexibility provided
in the provision allowing for a tax increase for public safety
purposes allows third class cities to address any safety need,
be it fire, police, or otherwise.  Also, fire districts hope to
raise more revenue by collecting money for service to non--
residents of the state, whose insurance coverage would likely
pay the bills.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Heckemeyer, Barnes,
Kreider, Green, Luetkenhaus, and Chrismer; Missouri Fire Service
Alliance; Missouri State Council of Firefighters; Consolidated
Fire Districts; Raytown Fire Protection District; Missouri
Police Chiefs Association; and Missouri Municipal League.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Brian Cook, Research Analyst

HB 452 -- Third Class Cities' Sales Tax

Sponsor:  Heckemeyer

This bill authorizes any third class city to impose a sales tax
of no more than 0.5% on all retail sales.  The imposition of the
tax is subject to voter approval.  Revenue from the tax will
provide additional funding for the city's public safety
officers, programs, facilities, and other related expenses.  All
revenue will be deposited into a special trust fund and will not
be commingled with state funds.