HCS HB 1273, 943 & 1217 -- ELECTIONS (Days)

This substitute makes several changes to election laws.  The
substitute:

(1)  Changes the date for candidate disqualification for not
filing a financial interest statement from 25 days after filing
for an election closes to 21 days;

(2)  Specifies the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March
for a charter city or county election;

(3)  Requires a seven-member school board to give notice of an
election 10 weeks before the election;

(4)  Requires only the last 4 digits of a social security number
on a voter registration application;

(5)  Adds a definition for overseas voter and allows an overseas
voter to vote by absentee ballot for federal officials,
statewide officials, and statewide ballot issues;

(6)  Reorders the list of persons to notify of a vacancy for a
nominating committee to fill;

(7)  Prohibits a member of a party nominating committee from
acting as chair to certify his or her own selection as the
candidate;

(8)  Prohibits the expenditure of public funds by any officer,
employee, or agent of the state of Missouri or a political
subdivision to support or oppose a ballot measure or candidate.
However, this does not prohibit a public official from making
public appearances or from issuing press releases concerning a
ballot measure;

(9)  Gives an election authority the option to seize material
that would lead voters to believe a nonincumbent candidate is an
incumbent of the office sought; and

(10) Gives the local government official administering municipal
elections the option to conduct a random drawing for ballot
position.  The drawing is limited to candidates filing on the
first day of filing for an office.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$50,000 in FY 1999, $0 in FY 2000, and $0 in FY 2001.

HCS HB 1273, 943 & 1217 -- ELECTIONS

SPONSOR:  Days

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 13 to 1.

This substitute makes several changes to election laws.  The
substitute:

(1)  Changes the date for candidate disqualification for not
filing a financial interest statement from 25 days after filing
for an election closes to 21 days;

(2)  Specifies the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March
for a charter city or county election;

(3)  Requires a seven-member school board to give notice of an
election 10 weeks before the election;

(4)  Requires only the last 4 digits of a social security number
on a voter registration application;

(5)  Adds a definition for overseas voter and allows an overseas
voter to vote by absentee ballot for federal officials,
statewide officials, and statewide ballot issues;

(6)  Reorders the list of persons to notify of a vacancy for a
nominating committee to fill;

(7)  Prohibits a member of a party nominating committee from
acting as chair to certify his or her own selection as the
candidate;

(8)  Prohibits the expenditure of public funds by any officer,
employee, or agent of the state of Missouri or a political
subdivision to support or oppose a ballot measure or candidate.
However, this does not prohibit a public official from making
public appearances or from issuing press releases concerning a
ballot measure;

(9)  Gives an election authority the option to seize material
that would lead voters to believe a nonincumbent candidate is an
incumbent of the office sought; and

(10) Gives the local government official administering municipal
elections the option to conduct a random drawing for ballot
position.  The drawing is limited to candidates filing on the
first day of filing for an office.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$50,000 in FY 1999, $0 in FY 2000, and $0 in FY 2001.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters of the original bill say that this bill
is cleanup legislation provided by the Secretary of State's
Office to make Missouri election laws consistent with the
Missouri constitution, and with federal laws.

Testifying for the original bill were Representative Days;
Secretary of State's Office; and Wendy Noren, Boone County Clerk.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Marty Romitti, Legislative Analyst

HB 1273 -- Elections

Sponsor:  Days

This bill makes several changes to election laws.  The bill:

(1)  Changes the date for candidate disqualification for not
filing a financial interest statement from 25 days after filing
for an election closes to 21 days;

(2)  Specifies the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March
for a charter city or county election;

(3)  Requires a seven-member school board to give notice of an
election 10 weeks before the election;

(4)  Requires only the last 4 digits of a social security number
on a voter registration application;

(5)  Adds a definition for overseas voter and allows an overseas
voter to vote by absentee ballot for federal officials,
statewide officials, and statewide ballot issues;

(6)  Reorders the list of persons to notify of a vacancy for a
nominating committee to fill; and

(7)  Prohibits a member of a party nominating committee from
acting as chair to certify his or her own selection as the
candidate.