AN ACT relating to the consolidation of counties, and making an appropriation therefor.
     Create new sections of KRS Chapter 67 to establish a new procedure for the optional consolidation of counties; permit 2 or more counties to consolidate with this 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, and 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, and require final report of the transition committee as prescribed; 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, and 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, and 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 (CDBG) applications and provide technical and advisory assistance to consolidated counties; award each of the first 10 consolidated counties $1 million from CDBG funds; award state general funds to first 10 new counties on a tiered scale as prescribed; appropriate $20 million from the CDBG fund and $20 million from the general fund; 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 26-introduced in House
     Jan 27-to State Government (H)
     Feb 2-posted in committee
     Feb 8-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
     Feb 9-2nd reading, to Rules; recommitted to Appropriations and Revenue (H)
     Feb 18-posted in committee
     Feb 22-reported favorably, to Rules with committee amendments (1) and (2)
     Feb 24-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 25, 2000
     Feb 28-3rd reading, passed 83-11 with committee amendments (1) and (2)
     Feb 29-received in Senate
     Mar 2-to State and Local Government (S)
     Mar 7-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
     Mar 8-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 13-recommitted to Appropriations and Revenue (S)
     Mar 21-reported favorably, to Rules with committee amendments (1) and (2-title)
     Mar 29-recommitted to Appropriations and Revenue (S)