Mo. Senate endorses fee hike to raise deputy salaries

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Senators endorse a plan to boost salaries for sheriffs' deputies by raising fees for certain legal actions.

The legislation would add a $10 fee every time a sheriff's deputy serves a summons, subpoena or court order in civil lawsuits. Sheriffs already charge $10 to $20, depending on the type of legal service.

The state sheriffs' association expects the new fee to generate $4 million to $6 million annually. That money would be used to raises deputy salaries in low-paying counties.

Some senators objected to creating a new fee earmarked for a particular purpose.

But the Senate gave the bill first-round approval 24-2, with eight members not voting. A second vote is needed to send the bill to the House.