AN ACT relating to county consolidation.
     Create new sections of KRS Chapter 67 to establish a new procedure for the optional consolidation of counties; permit two or more counties to consolidate with such action initiated by public petition or local ordinance; require signatures of 20% or more of the number of persons voting in last presidential election for initiation petition; provide for the contents and certification of petitions as prescribed; require the county judge/executive in the initiating county within 10 days to notify the other local governments and their citizens of the proposal as prescribed; require responding action in adjoining counties within 120 days or initial action void; require a special election within 90 days if adjoining counties enter the process; require approval in each county for consolidation to become effective; prescribe the language for the ballot, other election procedures, and advertisement of the election by the sheriff; require a simple majority of those voting in each county for approval; require all election costs to be paid for by the state, and prohibit any organizational changes in a newly consolidated county for 10 years; prohibit any new county from becoming effective until the end of terms of current officeholders and require new officers to be elected in the same manner and at same time as other county officials; require county judge/executive in each county to appoint 6 citizens to a transition committee as prescribed; require transition committee to divide county into 3-8 magisterial districts and to select 2-5 names for the new county to be decided by the voters; require final report of the transition committee as prescribed; provide for a gubernatorial appointee to break tie vote on questions relating the name of the new county, the formation of magisterial districts or other issues on ballot; require all taxes from immediate year to remain in effect until changed by new county; require the creation of a special taxing district for repayment of prior financial obligations in previously existing counties as prescribed; require surplus funds to be spent in the areas where funds were raised as prescribed; permit voters to determine location of new county seat from previously existing locations; require county seat to remain at location for not less than 10 years; require other remaining county buildings to be maintained as branch offices for 10 years as prescribed; provide for federal and state election districts as prescribed; require the Department for Local Government to promulgate administrative regulations awarding preference points on community development block grant applications and provide technical and advisory assistance to consolidated counties; and repeal KRS 67.190, 67.200, 67.210, 67.220, 67.230, 67.240, 67.250, 67.260, 67.270, 67.280, 67.290, and 67.310.

     Jan 14-introduced in House
     Jan 15-to State Government (H)
     Jan 22-posted in committee
     Feb 3-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
     Feb 4-2nd reading, to Rules
     Feb 5-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 6, 2004
     Feb 11-3rd reading, passed 82-14
     Feb 12-received in Senate
     Feb 18-to State and Local Government (S)
     Mar 23-taken from committee; 1st reading; returned to State and Local Government (S)
     Mar 25-reported favorably, to Rules as a Consent Bill
     Mar 26-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 26, 2004
     Apr 13-passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day