H.B. 445 Summary

• Authorizes county commissioners in one or more counties to contract with another county's board of commissioners for coroner services rather than electing their own coroner.

• Contracts cannot take effect before January 1, 2017, and must be for terms of at least four years coinciding with the standard coroner election cycle; eliminates the coroner election and office in contracting counties during the contract term.

• Requires contracting boards to provide a copy of the contract to the board of elections at least 15 days before the candidacy filing deadline to prevent coroner candidates from running.

• Contracts may only be terminated if all participating boards agree and any departing board enters into a new coroner services contract with another county for the remaining contract term.

• Amends Section 305.03 to change the requirement that a coroner serve as acting county commissioner when two commissioners are absent to instead require the county treasurer to perform this duty.