HJR 19 -- Department of Urban Conservation

Co-Sponsors:  Bowman, Coleman, Thompson, Villa, Brooks, Kreider,
Rizzo, Bland, Carnahan, Kennedy

This proposed constitutional amendment creates a Department of
Urban Conservation, increasing the maximum number of departments
from 15 to 16.

The Department of Urban Conservation will be under the charge of
the Urban Conservation Commission.  The commission will be
responsible for the conservation, restoration, redevelopment,
and revitalization of the state's urban resources.

The commission will have authority over state programs designed
to remedy blight and deterioration in urban areas as well as the
authority to facilitate the revitalization of distressed urban
areas.  It will also be responsible for reversing the decline of
property values in distressed urban areas.

The commission will have 9 members.  All appointed members will
be knowledgeable and interested in the conservation,
restoration, redevelopment, and revitalization of urban areas.
Seven members will be appointed by the Governor.  No more than 4
of these 7 can be in the same political party as the Governor.
At least 2 of the members will be residents of the City of
Kansas City, at least 2 members will be residents of the City of
St. Louis, and at least one member will be a resident of the
City of Springfield.  In addition to these members, the State
Treasurer and the State Auditor will also serve as members of
the commission.

The members of the commission will hold office for a term of 6
years beginning on July 1 of consecutive odd years.  However,
for the original 7 members appointed by the Governor, 3 will
have terms which expire on June 30, 2003, 2 will have terms
which expire on June 30, 2005, and 2 will have terms which
expire on June 30, 2007.  Members of the commission will receive
no salary or other compensation; however, they will be
reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties.

The department may acquire, through a variety of means
(including eminent domain), all property which is necessary,
useful, or convenient for its purposes.

The commission will appoint a Director of the Department of
Urban Conservation.  The director will appoint and determine the
qualifications and salaries for employees necessary for the
department.  No member of the commission can be appointed or
employed by the department or the director.

In order to pay for the department's expenditures, an additional
sales tax of 0.08% will be imposed as well as an additional
compensating use tax of 0.08%.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:05 pm