HB 186

AN ACT relating to taxing districts. Create a new section of KRS Chapter 65 to define “entity” and “governing body”; provide that members of certain governing bodies shall be subject to election at the regular election; establish procedures for jurisdictions to certify the number of delegates for each board and for dispute resolution; set forth the criteria for nominating petitions for candidates; establish a default four-year term unless otherwise provided in statute; provide that the Governor shall appoint a member if no candidate is nominated for or elected to an open seat on a governing body; set forth the process whereby a member may be removed for cause; provide that vacancies shall be filled in accordance with Section 152 of the Constitution of Kentucky; amend KRS 61.170 to provide that members of governing bodies, like other county officers, may be indicted for malfeasance or neglect and, if convicted, the office is vacated; amend various sections of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, relating to the governing bodies of taxing districts, to conform; amend KRS 118.305 and 118.315 to include petitions of nomination and election of candidates on the regular election ballot; provide that appointments made prior to January 1, 2020, shall expire on or before December 31, 2020; allow trustees of volunteer fire districts and departments under KRS Chapter 75, who are normally subject to election in June 2020 to have their terms of office of office extended to December 31, 2020; provide that elections shall be held every two or four years beginning in November 2020; allow previously appointed members to seek election to a seat on the governing body; state that candidates elected in November 2020 shall assume office on January 1 of the following year; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2020.