Missouri Revised Statutes Title VI. County, Township and Political Subdivision Government § 52.040. Bond--duties of director of revenue--penalty for evasion

1. The collector's bond, when received by the director of revenue, shall be carefully examined, and if found to be made in conformity to law, and the sureties satisfactory, the director of revenue shall file the same with the secretary of state, and immediately certify the fact thereof to the clerk of the county commission; but if the director of revenue finds the bond to be not in accordance with law, or if he has reason to doubt the sufficiency of the security, he shall immediately return the bond to the clerk of the county commission, who shall notify the collector to correct the bond, or make a new bond, as may be required by the director of revenue. If a new bond is required, it shall be approved, recorded and subject to the requirements of this section, the same as the first bond given by the collector.

2. No tax books or lists shall be placed in the hands of the county collector until a certificate of the secretary of state, under the seal of his office, has been received by the clerk of the county commission, showing that the collector's bond has been received and filed in the office of the secretary of state.

3. Any evasion of this section by the clerk of the county commission or collector shall subject them each to a penalty of not less than five hundred dollars, and all damages and costs, to be recovered before any court of competent jurisdiction in this state; and the attorney general by direction of the director of revenue is required to bring suit, without delay, for every evasion of the requirements of this section, as soon as the same comes to the knowledge of the director; the amount recovered on such fines to be paid into the state treasury as general revenue.

4. Nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving the sureties of a collector from liabilities incurred under a bond not approved by the director of revenue and filed with the secretary of state.