Bills by Sen. Hegeman signed into law
Sen. Dan Hegeman
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Eric Greitens this week signed two bills into law sponsored by state Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, whose 12th District includes Nodaway County.
Senate Bill 111 requires candidates for the office of public administrator to provide their county’s election authority — generally the county clerk — with a copy of a signed affidavit issued by a surety company indicating he or she meets applicable bonding requirements.
SB 283 allows people who own land within special road districts, but who do not reside within those districts, to sign related tax levy petitions or serve as special road district commissioners.
Both measures become law Aug. 28.
In addition to setting a bonding requirement for public administrators, Senate Bill 111 requires that, after being elected to office, such officials secure a bond — a form of insurance — of at least $10,000 backed by one or more securities.
In Missouri, public administrators serve as court-appointed representatives for the estates of people who have died and as guardians or conservators for individuals who are unable to care for themselves or their property.
Hegeman said his legislation ensures that someone elected to such an office will not be forced to resign due to their inability to meet bonding obligations required under state law. At least one such resignation has occurred in the recent past, he said.
In addition, the bill modifies provisions pertaining to bonds issued by political subdivisions, qualifications for candidates, guardianships and limited liability companies that own property in certain cities.
As for Senate Bill 283, the bill applies specifically to special road districts, narrowly defined political subdivisions established by residents at the local level for the purpose of maintaining public thoroughfares.
Roads governed by such districts typically serve unincorporated areas.
“I filed SB 283 to address some of the unique problems facing a number of the special road districts in our rural areas,” Hegeman said.
“For example, the significant flooding events in northwest Missouri over the last few years have caused residents to move their homes from these districts into other parts of the county. They still own, maintain and work their property, but they don’t live in the district anymore.”
Hegeman said his bill allows landowners to take an active role in determining district taxes and regulations so long as they are registered to vote in the county wherein the road district is located.
The legislation also empowers county commissions to appoint special road district commissioners to three-year terms if two consecutive municipal elections pass without any candidates seeking the office.
