HCS/SB 631 - This act modifies the law relating to the authorizing of local sales taxes and community center districts, annexation elections, absentee and military voting procedures, and initiative petitions. RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER DISTRICT - 67.585 This act authorizes the creation of a Recreation and Community Center District in an area encompassed by Liberty School District. Such district may impose a sales tax of up to one-half percent on sales in the district. The sales tax must be approved by a majority of the inhabitants of the district voting on the question. Revenues derived from the sales tax may only be used for construction and maintenance of a community center and for other recreation and wellness purposes. The sales tax may not be repealed until after any bonds secured by the tax have been retired. The sales tax may only be repealed if a two-thirds majority of the inhabitants of the district voting on the question vote for repeal. This provision is similar to HB 2192 (2014) and a provision in HCS/SB 693 (2014), HCS/SB 584 (2014), HCS/SCS/SB 824 (2014), and HCS/SCS/SB 854 (2014). ANNEXATION ELECTIONS - 71.015 Under current law for annexation elections in non-charter counties, a majority of the voters in the municipality seeking to annex the property and a majority of the voters in the territory sought to be annexed must approve the annexation. If less than a majority of the voters in the territory sought to be annexed vote in favor of the annexation, but a majority of voters in the municipality seeking to annex the territory approve the annexation, then another annexation election must occur not more than 120 days later. This act provides that the subsequent annexation election must occur not more than 160 days later. This provision is similar to a provision in HCS/SCS/SB 630 (2014) and SCS/HB 1126 (2014). PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX - 94.902 Upon voter approval, the City of Liberty and North Kansas City are authorized to impose sales tax of up to one half of one percent to be spent on equipment, salaries and benefits, and facilities for police, fire, and emergency medical providers. This provision is similar to a provision contained in HB 1853 (2014), HCS/HB 2116 (2014), HCS/SB 607 (2014), HCS/SCS/SB 630 (2014), and HCS/SB 773 (2014). MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS - 115.135, 115.912 This act allow military and overseas voters who have been discharged from military service, have returned from military deployment or activation, or have separated from employment outside of the United States after the voter registration deadline to register to vote in person until 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before an election. Election authorities have the discretion to accept applications for military-overseas ballots received by 7 p.m. on the day of the election. ABSENTEE VOTING FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM - 115.277, 115.283 The act allows victims of domestic abuse that are participants in the address confidentiality program to vote by absentee. These provisions are similar to provisions contained in HB 1255 (2014) and carry an emergency clause. INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM - 116.332, 116.333, 116.334 When filing an initiative petition, filers are required to submit 5,000 sponsoring signatures signed by registered voters who are in support of the initiative. Signatures shall be verified by the local election authorities and certified to the Secretary of State. Petitions without 5,000 valid signatures shall be rejected. CHRIS HOGERTY