MO HB962

Municipalities in St. Louis County (counties with charter government and over 950,000 inhabitants) must meet "minimum standards" by providing at least 75% of 12 specified services, including balanced budgets, capital improvement plans, annual audits, adequate insurance, 24/7 law enforcement with two peace officers per shift, and written policies on police use of force and pursuits

Residents may petition the county election authority if they believe their municipality is failing to provide at least 3 of the required standards for 2+ months; petition requires signatures from 30% of registered voters who voted in the last gubernatorial election

If the circuit court finds probable cause of substandard services, a university-appointed advisory committee of 3-5 municipal experts reviews deficiencies and develops a corrective plan within 60 days

Municipalities that fail to meet standards after the advisory process face escalating court remedies: appointment of an administrative authority to control revenues, removal of elected officials, court-ordered merger vote with an adjacent municipality, or disincorporation if 40% of voters petition

Mergers require separate majority approval from voters in each municipality and take effect 6 months after election approval