Bill would let some counties drop physical postings for public hearings

House Bill 233 would remove the requirement that county staff physically post hearing notices on telephone poles or stakes, while maintaining newspaper publication and online postings, the bill sponsor told the Committee on Legislative Review.

Representative Gallick told the committee, "It's a very, very simple bill. House Bill 233. All it really is is county postings." He said counties already publish notices online and in newspapers 15 days before hearings and that the physical posting requirement primarily burdens rural counties covering large areas.

The bill’s sponsor and witnesses described several reasons for the change. "A lot of these roads are 2 lane roads. Is somebody gonna stop and look at that notice? And if they do, somebody might rear end them or run over them," Gallick said. He added that in some small counties employees "wear many hats," and sending a staffer to post notices can take that person off other duties for one or two days.

Kara Hoover, appearing on behalf of Cass County, said the bill applies to noncharter first-class counties and that Cass County supported the change. "It takes a staff person literally a day or 2 to do this, and so in an effort of government efficiency, that's why we brought this forward," Hoover said. She confirmed Cass County posts notices online and in local newspapers.

Doug Crews of the Missouri Press Association testified that, as he read the bill, it would apply to county planning board hearings and that press organizations supported the change "as long as public notices are still required," emphasizing the continuing role of newspapers.

Committee members questioned whether eliminating physical postings would reduce public awareness, especially among residents who do not frequently consult municipal websites. Representative Hausman noted the continuing role of newspapers and asked whether newspaper coverage was declining in some towns; Representative Keithley said his experience in a more suburban district suggested that passersby sometimes notice roadside postings and call officials.

Gallick said his office had not proposed differentiated rules by county class or population but said that was a possible area for future consideration. "That's something that can be considered," he told the committee.

The committee concluded the public hearing on House Bill 233 with no formal action recorded in the transcript.