HB34 Summary

• Establishes the Jefferson County Cemetery Board consisting of seven members: four appointed by State House representatives and three by State Senate representatives representing any part of the county.

• Board members serve four-year terms after initial staggered terms, meet quarterly, serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses, and are immune from civil liability except for willful or wanton misconduct, fraud, or gross negligence.

• Board duties include negotiating acquisition of neglected for-profit cemeteries, supervising cleanup and maintenance, coordinating with the sheriff for inmate labor, purchasing office equipment up to $500, and enforcing adopted rules through legal proceedings.

• Funds the board with $50,000 from pistol permit fees when acquiring a for-profit neglected cemetery, and $25,000 annually thereafter from pistol permit fees, with funds limited to sales tax revenues exceeding fiscal year 2015 collections.

• Exempts cemeteries owned by religious organizations and private family-owned cemeteries from the act; county commission has no authority over the board or responsibility for cemeteries under this act.