diff --git a/salt/returners/carbon_return.py b/salt/returners/carbon_return.py
index 56c991a42c..7cc1c72a1a 100644
--- a/salt/returners/carbon_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/carbon_return.py
@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@ import socket
 import struct
 import time
 
+# Import salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Define the module's virtual name
@@ -67,8 +70,8 @@ def _carbon(host, port):
                                     socket.IPPROTO_TCP)
 
         carbon_sock.connect((host, port))
-    except socket.error as e:
-        log.error('Error connecting to {0}:{1}, {2}'.format(host, port, e))
+    except socket.error as err:
+        log.error('Error connecting to {0}:{1}, {2}'.format(host, port, err))
         raise
     else:
         log.debug('Connected to carbon')
@@ -203,3 +206,10 @@ def returner(ret):
 
             log.debug('Sent {0} bytes to carbon'.format(sent_bytes))
             total_sent_bytes += sent_bytes
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any work necessary to prepare a JID, including sending a custom id
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/cassandra_return.py b/salt/returners/cassandra_return.py
index dac2196e49..2928671336 100644
--- a/salt/returners/cassandra_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/cassandra_return.py
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ Required python modules: pycassa
 # Import python libs
 import logging
 
+# Import salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # Import third party libs
 try:
     import pycassa
@@ -69,3 +72,11 @@ def returner(ret):
 
     log.debug(columns)
     ccf.insert(ret['jid'], columns)
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any work necessary to prepare the jid for storage,
+    including returning a custom jid
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/couchbase_return.py b/salt/returners/couchbase_return.py
index 983915b868..a37347e288 100644
--- a/salt/returners/couchbase_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/couchbase_return.py
@@ -93,21 +93,21 @@ def _verify_views():
 
     if VERIFIED_VIEWS or __opts__.get('couchbase.skip_verify_views', False):
         return
-    cb = _get_connection()
+    cb_ = _get_connection()
     ddoc = {'views': {'jids': {'map': "function (doc, meta) { if (meta.id.indexOf('/') === -1 && doc.load){ emit(meta.id, null) } }"},
                       'jid_returns': {'map': "function (doc, meta) { if (meta.id.indexOf('/') > -1){ key_parts = meta.id.split('/'); emit(key_parts[0], key_parts[1]); } }"}
                       }
             }
 
     try:
-        curr_ddoc = cb.design_get(DESIGN_NAME, use_devmode=False).value
+        curr_ddoc = cb_.design_get(DESIGN_NAME, use_devmode=False).value
         if curr_ddoc['views'] == ddoc['views']:
             VERIFIED_VIEWS = True
             return
     except couchbase.exceptions.HTTPError:
         pass
 
-    cb.design_create(DESIGN_NAME, ddoc, use_devmode=False)
+    cb_.design_create(DESIGN_NAME, ddoc, use_devmode=False)
     VERIFIED_VIEWS = True
 
 
@@ -125,11 +125,11 @@ def prep_jid(nocache=False):
     This is the function responsible for making sure jids don't collide (unless its passed a jid)
     So do what you have to do to make sure that stays the case
     '''
-    cb = _get_connection()
+    cb_ = _get_connection()
 
     jid = salt.utils.gen_jid()
     try:
-        cb.add(str(jid),
+        cb_.add(str(jid),
                {'nocache': nocache},
                ttl=_get_ttl(),
                )
@@ -143,9 +143,9 @@ def returner(load):
     '''
     Return data to the local job cache
     '''
-    cb = _get_connection()
+    cb_ = _get_connection()
     try:
-        jid_doc = cb.get(load['jid'])
+        jid_doc = cb_.get(load['jid'])
         if jid_doc.value['nocache'] is True:
             return
     except couchbase.exceptions.NotFoundError:
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ def returner(load):
         if 'out' in load:
             ret_doc['out'] = load['out']
 
-        cb.add(hn_key,
+        cb_.add(hn_key,
                ret_doc,
                ttl=_get_ttl(),
                )
@@ -179,10 +179,10 @@ def save_load(jid, clear_load):
     '''
     Save the load to the specified jid
     '''
-    cb = _get_connection()
+    cb_ = _get_connection()
 
     try:
-        jid_doc = cb.get(str(jid))
+        jid_doc = cb_.get(str(jid))
     except couchbase.exceptions.NotFoundError:
         log.warning('Could not write job cache file for jid: {0}'.format(jid))
         return False
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ def save_load(jid, clear_load):
 
     jid_doc.value['load'] = clear_load
 
-    cb.replace(str(jid),
+    cb_.replace(str(jid),
                jid_doc.value,
                cas=jid_doc.cas,
                ttl=_get_ttl()
@@ -211,10 +211,10 @@ def get_load(jid):
     '''
     Return the load data that marks a specified jid
     '''
-    cb = _get_connection()
+    cb_ = _get_connection()
 
     try:
-        jid_doc = cb.get(str(jid))
+        jid_doc = cb_.get(str(jid))
     except couchbase.exceptions.NotFoundError:
         return {}
 
@@ -229,12 +229,12 @@ def get_jid(jid):
     '''
     Return the information returned when the specified job id was executed
     '''
-    cb = _get_connection()
+    cb_ = _get_connection()
     _verify_views()
 
     ret = {}
 
-    for result in cb.query(DESIGN_NAME, 'jid_returns', key=str(jid), include_docs=True):
+    for result in cb_.query(DESIGN_NAME, 'jid_returns', key=str(jid), include_docs=True):
         ret[result.value] = result.doc.value
 
     return ret
@@ -244,18 +244,21 @@ def get_jids():
     '''
     Return a list of all job ids
     '''
-    cb = _get_connection()
+    cb_ = _get_connection()
     _verify_views()
 
     ret = {}
 
-    for result in cb.query(DESIGN_NAME, 'jids', include_docs=True):
+    for result in cb_.query(DESIGN_NAME, 'jids', include_docs=True):
         ret[result.key] = _format_jid_instance(result.key, result.doc.value['load'])
 
     return ret
 
 
 def _format_job_instance(job):
+    '''
+    Return a properly formatted job dict
+    '''
     return {'Function': job.get('fun', 'unknown-function'),
             'Arguments': list(job.get('arg', [])),
             # unlikely but safeguard from invalid returns
@@ -265,6 +268,9 @@ def _format_job_instance(job):
 
 
 def _format_jid_instance(jid, job):
+    '''
+    Return a properly formated jid dict
+    '''
     ret = _format_job_instance(job)
     ret.update({'StartTime': salt.utils.jid_to_time(jid)})
     return ret
diff --git a/salt/returners/couchdb_return.py b/salt/returners/couchdb_return.py
index a5df2d6b70..bc43bdd66d 100644
--- a/salt/returners/couchdb_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/couchdb_return.py
@@ -10,11 +10,15 @@ couchdb.url:        'http://salt:5984/'
 
     salt '*' test.ping --return couchdb
 '''
+# Import Python libs
 import logging
 import time
 import urllib2
 import json
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Define the module's virtual name
@@ -306,3 +310,10 @@ def set_salt_view():
                     .format(_response['error']))
         return False
     return True
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any necessary pre-processing and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/elasticsearch_return.py b/salt/returners/elasticsearch_return.py
index c7a10803e1..4ca740b0bd 100644
--- a/salt/returners/elasticsearch_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/elasticsearch_return.py
@@ -30,8 +30,12 @@ In order to have the returner apply to all minions:
     ext_job_cache: elasticsearch
 '''
 
+# Import Python libs
 import datetime
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 __virtualname__ = 'elasticsearch'
 
 try:
@@ -48,7 +52,9 @@ except ImportError:
 
 
 def _create_index(client, index):
-    # create empty index
+    '''
+    Create empty index
+    '''
     client.indices.create(
         index=index,
         body={
@@ -92,20 +98,36 @@ def __virtual__():
 
 
 def _get_pickler():
+    '''
+    Return a picker instance
+    '''
     return Pickler(max_depth=5)
 
 
 def _get_instance():
+    '''
+    Return the elasticsearch instance
+    '''
     return elasticsearch.Elasticsearch([__salt__['config.get']('elasticsearch:host')])
 
 
 def returner(ret):
-    es = _get_instance()
-    _create_index(es, __salt__['config.get']('elasticsearch:index'))
-    r = ret
+    '''
+    Process the return from Salt
+    '''
+    es_ = _get_instance()
+    _create_index(es_, __salt__['config.get']('elasticsearch:index'))
     the_time = datetime.datetime.now().isoformat()
-    r['@timestamp'] = the_time
-    es.index(index=__salt__['config.get']('elasticsearch:index'),
+    ret['@timestamp'] = the_time
+    es_.index(index=__salt__['config.get']('elasticsearch:index'),
              doc_type='returner',
-             body=_get_pickler().flatten(r),
+             body=_get_pickler().flatten(ret),
              )
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Prepare the jid, including doing any pre-processing and
+    returning the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/etcd_return.py b/salt/returners/etcd_return.py
index 3f6e0da228..c689552e25 100644
--- a/salt/returners/etcd_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/etcd_return.py
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     HAS_LIBS = False
 
+import salt.utils
+
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Define the module's virtual name
@@ -164,3 +166,10 @@ def get_minions():
         comps = str(item.key).split('/')
         ret.append(comps[-1])
     return ret
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Pre-process the JID and return the JID to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/local_cache.py b/salt/returners/local_cache.py
index 03631d4a4a..3fc58e96b9 100644
--- a/salt/returners/local_cache.py
+++ b/salt/returners/local_cache.py
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ def _jid_dir(jid):
 
 
 def _walk_through(job_dir):
+    '''
+    Walk though the jid dir and look for jobs
+    '''
     serial = salt.payload.Serial(__opts__)
 
     for top in os.listdir(job_dir):
@@ -65,6 +68,9 @@ def _walk_through(job_dir):
 
 
 def _format_job_instance(job):
+    '''
+    Format the job instance correctly
+    '''
     return {'Function': job.get('fun', 'unknown-function'),
             'Arguments': list(job.get('arg', [])),
             # unlikely but safeguard from invalid returns
@@ -74,6 +80,9 @@ def _format_job_instance(job):
 
 
 def _format_jid_instance(jid, job):
+    '''
+    Format the jid correctly
+    '''
     ret = _format_job_instance(job)
     ret.update({'StartTime': salt.utils.jid_to_time(jid)})
     return ret
@@ -125,8 +134,8 @@ def returner(load):
 
     try:
         os.mkdir(hn_dir)
-    except OSError as e:
-        if e.errno == errno.EEXIST:
+    except OSError as err:
+        if err.errno == errno.EEXIST:
             # Minion has already returned this jid and it should be dropped
             log.error(
                 'An extra return was detected from minion {0}, please verify '
@@ -135,7 +144,7 @@ def returner(load):
                 )
             )
             return False
-        elif e.errno == errno.ENOENT:
+        elif err.errno == errno.ENOENT:
             log.error(
                 'An inconsistency occurred, a job was received with a job id '
                 'that is not present in the local cache: {jid}'.format(**load)
@@ -253,7 +262,7 @@ def get_jids():
     Return a list of all job ids
     '''
     ret = {}
-    for jid, job, t_path, final in _walk_through(_job_dir()):
+    for jid, job, _, _ in _walk_through(_job_dir()):
         ret[jid] = _format_jid_instance(jid, job)
     return ret
 
@@ -294,7 +303,7 @@ def clean_old_jobs():
                                                         int(jid[6:8]),
                                                         int(jid[8:10]),
                                                         int(jid[10:12]))
-                        except ValueError as e:
+                        except ValueError:
                             # Invalid jid, scrub the dir
                             shutil.rmtree(f_path)
                         difference = cur - jidtime
diff --git a/salt/returners/memcache_return.py b/salt/returners/memcache_return.py
index 6f719a9baf..dcb5f688da 100644
--- a/salt/returners/memcache_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/memcache_return.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ python2-memcache uses 'localhost' and '11211' as syntax on connection.
 # Import python libs
 import json
 import logging
+import salt.utils
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ def _get_serv():
         log.error('Host or port not defined in salt config')
         return
     #Combine host and port to conform syntax of python memcache client
-    memcacheoptions = (host, port)
+    memcacheoptions = (host, str(port))
 
     return memcache.Client([':'.join(memcacheoptions)], debug=0)
     ## TODO: make memcacheoptions cluster aware
@@ -61,6 +62,13 @@ def _get_serv():
     #    an integer weight value.
 
 
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Pre-process the jid and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
+
+
 def returner(ret):
     '''
     Return data to a memcache data store
diff --git a/salt/returners/mongo_future_return.py b/salt/returners/mongo_future_return.py
index c4aba7c7c0..eb6759bbfe 100644
--- a/salt/returners/mongo_future_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/mongo_future_return.py
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ in the future and should not be considered API stable yet.
 # Import python libs
 import logging
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # Import third party libs
 try:
     import pymongo
@@ -46,6 +49,9 @@ def __virtual__():
 
 
 def _remove_dots(src):
+    '''
+    Remove the dots from the given data structure
+    '''
     output = {}
     for key, val in src.iteritems():
         if isinstance(val, dict):
@@ -61,19 +67,19 @@ def _get_conn():
     if 'config.option' in __salt__:
         host = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.host')
         port = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.port')
-        db = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.db')
+        db_ = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.db')
         user = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.user')
         password = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.password')
     else:
         cfg = __opts__
         host = cfg.get('mongo.host', None)
         port = cfg.get('mongo.port', None)
-        db = cfg.get('mongo.db', None)
+        db_ = cfg.get('mongo.db', None)
         user = cfg.get('mongo.user', None)
         password = cfg.get('mongo.password', None)
 
     conn = pymongo.Connection(host, port)
-    mdb = conn[db]
+    mdb = conn[db_]
 
     if user and password:
         mdb.authenticate(user, password)
@@ -84,7 +90,7 @@ def returner(ret):
     '''
     Return data to a mongodb server
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     col = mdb[ret['id']]
 
     if isinstance(ret['return'], dict):
@@ -103,7 +109,7 @@ def save_load(jid, load):
     '''
     Save the load for a given job id
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     col = mdb[jid]
     col.insert(load)
 
@@ -112,7 +118,7 @@ def get_load(jid):
     '''
     Return the load associated with a given job id
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     return mdb[jid].find_one()
 
 
@@ -120,7 +126,7 @@ def get_jid(jid):
     '''
     Return the return information associated with a jid
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     ret = {}
     for collection in mdb.collection_names():
         rdata = mdb[collection].find_one({jid: {'$exists': 'true'}})
@@ -133,7 +139,7 @@ def get_fun(fun):
     '''
     Return the most recent jobs that have executed the named function
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     ret = {}
     for collection in mdb.collection_names():
         rdata = mdb[collection].find_one({'fun': fun})
@@ -146,7 +152,7 @@ def get_minions():
     '''
     Return a list of minions
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     ret = []
     for name in mdb.collection_names():
         if len(name) == 20:
@@ -163,7 +169,7 @@ def get_jids():
     '''
     Return a list of job ids
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     ret = []
     for name in mdb.collection_names():
         if len(name) == 20:
@@ -173,3 +179,10 @@ def get_jids():
             except ValueError:
                 pass
     return ret
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Pre-process the jid and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/mongo_return.py b/salt/returners/mongo_return.py
index 64241f8381..6f85d4a98f 100644
--- a/salt/returners/mongo_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/mongo_return.py
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ to the minion config files::
 # Import python libs
 import logging
 
+# import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # Import third party libs
 try:
     import pymongo
@@ -41,6 +44,9 @@ def __virtual__():
 
 
 def _remove_dots(src):
+    '''
+    Remove dots from the given data structure
+    '''
     output = {}
     for key, val in src.iteritems():
         if isinstance(val, dict):
@@ -56,19 +62,19 @@ def _get_conn():
     if 'config.option' in __salt__:
         host = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.host')
         port = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.port')
-        db = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.db')
+        db_ = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.db')
         user = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.user')
         password = __salt__['config.option']('mongo.password')
     else:
         cfg = __opts__
         host = cfg.get('mongo.host', None)
         port = cfg.get('mongo.port', None)
-        db = cfg.get('mongo.db', None)
+        db_ = cfg.get('mongo.db', None)
         user = cfg.get('mongo.user', None)
         password = cfg.get('mongo.password', None)
 
     conn = pymongo.Connection(host, port)
-    mdb = conn[db]
+    mdb = conn[db_]
 
     if user and password:
         mdb.authenticate(user, password)
@@ -79,7 +85,7 @@ def returner(ret):
     '''
     Return data to a mongodb server
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     col = mdb[ret['id']]
 
     if isinstance(ret['return'], dict):
@@ -98,7 +104,7 @@ def get_jid(jid):
     '''
     Return the return information associated with a jid
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     ret = {}
     for collection in mdb.collection_names():
         rdata = mdb[collection].find_one({jid: {'$exists': 'true'}})
@@ -111,10 +117,17 @@ def get_fun(fun):
     '''
     Return the most recent jobs that have executed the named function
     '''
-    conn, mdb = _get_conn()
+    _, mdb = _get_conn()
     ret = {}
     for collection in mdb.collection_names():
         rdata = mdb[collection].find_one({'fun': fun})
         if rdata:
             ret[collection] = rdata
     return ret
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Pre-process the jid and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/mysql.py b/salt/returners/mysql.py
index 1fc5b941cd..fa821fbfd1 100644
--- a/salt/returners/mysql.py
+++ b/salt/returners/mysql.py
@@ -119,7 +119,11 @@ def _get_serv(commit=False):
     Return a mysql cursor
     '''
     _options = _get_options()
-    conn = MySQLdb.connect(host=_options['host'], user=_options['user'], passwd=_options['pass'], db=_options['db'], port=_options['port'])
+    conn = MySQLdb.connect(host=_options['host'],
+                           user=_options['user'],
+                           passwd=_options['pass'],
+                           db=_options['db'],
+                           port=_options['port'])
     cursor = conn.cursor()
     try:
         yield cursor
@@ -147,8 +151,10 @@ def returner(ret):
                 VALUES (%s, %s, %s, %s, %s, %s)'''
 
         cur.execute(sql, (ret['fun'], ret['jid'],
-                            json.dumps(ret['return']), ret['id'],
-                            ret['success'], json.dumps(ret)))
+                          json.dumps(ret['return']),
+                          ret['id'],
+                          ret['success'],
+                          json.dumps(ret)))
 
 
 def save_load(jid, load):
@@ -217,7 +223,7 @@ def get_fun(fun):
 
         ret = {}
         if data:
-            for minion, jid, full_ret in data:
+            for minion, _, full_ret in data:
                 ret[minion] = json.loads(full_ret)
         return ret
 
diff --git a/salt/returners/odbc.py b/salt/returners/odbc.py
index ed6f8fce0b..a03b981caf 100644
--- a/salt/returners/odbc.py
+++ b/salt/returners/odbc.py
@@ -101,6 +101,9 @@ correctly.  Replace with equivalent SQL for other ODBC-compliant servers::
 # Import python libs
 import json
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # FIXME We'll need to handle this differently for Windows.
 # Import third party libs
 try:
@@ -135,6 +138,9 @@ def _get_conn():
 
 
 def _close_conn(conn):
+    '''
+    Close the MySQL connection
+    '''
     conn.commit()
     conn.close()
 
@@ -225,7 +231,7 @@ def get_fun(fun):
 
     ret = {}
     if data:
-        for minion, jid, retval in data:
+        for minion, _, retval in data:
             ret[minion] = json.loads(retval)
     _close_conn(conn)
     return ret
@@ -263,3 +269,10 @@ def get_minions():
         ret.append(minion[0])
     _close_conn(conn)
     return ret
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any jid pre-processing and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/postgres.py b/salt/returners/postgres.py
index 87db311741..b979875ebe 100644
--- a/salt/returners/postgres.py
+++ b/salt/returners/postgres.py
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ Required python modules: psycopg2
 # Import python libs
 import json
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # Import third party libs
 try:
     import psycopg2
@@ -103,6 +106,9 @@ def _get_conn():
 
 
 def _close_conn(conn):
+    '''
+    Close the Postgres connection
+    '''
     conn.commit()
     conn.close()
 
@@ -192,7 +198,7 @@ def get_fun(fun):
 
     ret = {}
     if data:
-        for minion, jid, full_ret in data:
+        for minion, _, full_ret in data:
             ret[minion] = json.loads(full_ret)
     _close_conn(conn)
     return ret
@@ -230,3 +236,10 @@ def get_minions():
         ret.append(minion[0])
     _close_conn(conn)
     return ret
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any pre-processing necessary and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/redis_return.py b/salt/returners/redis_return.py
index 87a20f1304..79189b2af5 100644
--- a/salt/returners/redis_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/redis_return.py
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ config, these are the defaults:
 # Import python libs
 import json
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # Import third party libs
 try:
     import redis
@@ -128,3 +131,10 @@ def get_minions():
     '''
     serv = _get_serv()
     return list(serv.smembers('minions'))
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any pre-processing necessary and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/sentry_return.py b/salt/returners/sentry_return.py
index 27249cfddb..7018f916f8 100644
--- a/salt/returners/sentry_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/sentry_return.py
@@ -24,8 +24,12 @@ The tags list (optional) specifies grains items that will be used as sentry tags
 in the sentry ui.
 '''
 
+# Import Python libs
 import logging
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 try:
     from raven import Client
     has_raven = True
@@ -50,6 +54,9 @@ def returner(ret):
     messages will be reported at info level.
     '''
     def connect_sentry(message, result):
+        '''
+        Connect to the Sentry server
+        '''
         pillar_data = __salt__['pillar.raw']()
         grains = __salt__['grains.items']()
         sentry_data = {
@@ -102,3 +109,10 @@ def returner(ret):
             'Can\'t run connect_sentry: {0}'.format(err),
             exc_info=True
         )
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any necessary pre-processing and then return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/smtp_return.py b/salt/returners/smtp_return.py
index 3e6240796a..918253b684 100644
--- a/salt/returners/smtp_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/smtp_return.py
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ import logging
 import smtplib
 from email.utils import formatdate
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 try:
     import gnupg
     HAS_GNUPG = True
@@ -105,10 +108,10 @@ def returner(ret):
     log.debug("smtp_return: Subject is '{0}'".format(subject))
 
     content = ('id: {0}\r\n'
-            'function: {1}\r\n'
-            'function args: {2}\r\n'
-            'jid: {3}\r\n'
-            'return: {4}\r\n').format(
+               'function: {1}\r\n'
+               'function args: {2}\r\n'
+               'jid: {3}\r\n'
+               'return: {4}\r\n').format(
                     ret.get('id'),
                     ret.get('fun'),
                     ret.get('fun_args'),
@@ -123,7 +126,8 @@ def returner(ret):
             content = str(encrypted_data)
         else:
             log.error('smtp_return: Encryption failed, only an error message will be sent')
-            content = 'Encryption failed, the return data was not sent.\r\n\r\n{0}\r\n{1}'.format(encrypted_data.status, encrypted_data.stderr)
+            content = 'Encryption failed, the return data was not sent.\r\n\r\n{0}\r\n{1}'.format(
+                    encrypted_data.status, encrypted_data.stderr)
 
     message = ('From: {0}\r\n'
                'To: {1}\r\n'
@@ -147,3 +151,10 @@ def returner(ret):
     server.sendmail(from_addr, to_addrs, message)
     log.debug('smtp_return: Message sent.')
     server.quit()
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any necessary pre-processing and return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/sqlite3_return.py b/salt/returners/sqlite3_return.py
index a69ec253c2..d36d26d5a8 100644
--- a/salt/returners/sqlite3_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/sqlite3_return.py
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ import logging
 import json
 import datetime
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # Better safe than sorry here. Even though sqlite3 is included in python
 try:
     import sqlite3
@@ -242,3 +245,10 @@ def get_minions():
         ret.append(minion[0])
     _close_conn(conn)
     return ret
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any necessary pre-processing and then return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()
diff --git a/salt/returners/syslog_return.py b/salt/returners/syslog_return.py
index c358d47a1d..a46f5b598d 100644
--- a/salt/returners/syslog_return.py
+++ b/salt/returners/syslog_return.py
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     HAS_SYSLOG = False
 
+# Import Salt libs
+import salt.utils
+
 # Define the module's virtual name
 __virtualname__ = 'syslog'
 
@@ -36,3 +39,10 @@ def returner(ret):
     Return data to the local syslog
     '''
     syslog.syslog(syslog.LOG_INFO, 'salt-minion: {0}'.format(json.dumps(ret)))
+
+
+def prep_jid(nocache):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    '''
+    Do any necessary pre-preocessing and then return the jid to use
+    '''
+    return salt.utils.gen_jid()