Effective 28 Aug 2011

263.200. County commission duties to control noxious weeds, official immunity, landowner duty of care — special tax for cost, collection — provisions applicable to certain political subdivisions. — 1. In addition to the remedies provided in section 263.190, when noxious weeds are discovered growing on any lands in the county, it shall be the duty of the county commission to control such noxious weeds so as to prevent the seed from ripening, and for that purpose the county commission, or its agents, servants, or employees shall have authority to enter on such lands without being liable to an action of trespass therefor, and shall have such official immunity as exists at common law for any misfeasance or damages occurring in connection with the attempt to control noxious weeds. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the county shall be liable for any misfeasance or actual damages caused by its agents, servants, or employees in connection with the attempt to control noxious weeds. The landowner shall owe no duty of care to such persons, except that which the landowner owes to trespassers. The county commission shall keep an accurate account of the expenses incurred in controlling the noxious weeds, and shall verify such statement under seal of the county commission, and transmit the same to the officer whose duty it is or may be to extend state and county taxes on tax books or bills against real estate; and such officer shall extend the aggregate expenses so charged against each tract of land as a special tax, which shall then become a lien on the lands, and be collected as state and county taxes are collected by law and paid to the county commission and credited to the county control fund.

2. Before proceeding to control noxious weeds as provided in this section, the county commission of the county in which the land, or the greater part thereof, is located shall notify the owner of the land of the requirements of this law, by certified mail, return receipt requested, from a list supplied by the officer who prepares the tax list, and shall allow the owner of the land fifteen days from acknowledgment date of return receipt, or date of refusal of acceptance of delivery, as the case may be, to control all such noxious weeds growing upon the owner's land.

3. Any land or properties that are owned solely by a political subdivision in a city not within a county shall be subject to all provisions of sections 263.190, 263.200, and 263.240.

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(RSMo 1939 § 14261, A.L. 1979 H.B. 259, A.L. 1992 H.B. 1199, A.L. 2011 H.B. 458 merged with S.B. 356)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 12598; 1919 § 12119; 1909 § 743