1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 70.600 to the contrary, a soil and water conservation district organized under sections 278.060 to 278.155 shall be considered a political subdivision for the purposes of sections 70.600 to 70.755, and employees of such a soil and water conservation district shall be eligible for membership in the Missouri local government employees’ retirement system upon the soil and water district becoming an “employer” as defined in subdivision (11) of section 70.600.

2. Prior to the soil and water commission declaring a soil and water conservation district disestablished under section 278.150, the soil and water commission shall make a determination that all outstanding indebtedness of the soil and water conservation district has been paid, including moneys owed to any retirement plan or system in which the soil and water conservation district participates and has pledged to pay for the unfunded accrued liability of past and current employees.