HCS HB 348 -- MILITARY PREPAREDNESS AND ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION

SPONSOR:  Richard (Pearce)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Job
Creation and Economic Development by a vote of 16 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Missouri Military Preparedness
and Enhancement Commission to design and implement measures to
protect, retain, and enhance the present and future mission
capabilities of military posts and bases around the state.

The commission's duties will include preparing a biennial
strategic plan and an annual report.  The seven-member commission
will meet quarterly, or more often if additional meetings are
deemed necessary by the chair.  Funding for the commission will
be by appropriation, and the Department of Economic Development
will provide administrative support staff.

The City of Knob Noster is allowed to adopt and enforce
regulations regarding zoning and planning within the
unincorporated area that extends two miles beyond the city's
corporate limits.  Zoning and planning ordinances affecting the
unincorporated areas can be less restrictive than the ordinances
affecting areas within the city's limits.

For the purposes of student resident status, military personnel
stationed in Missouri, as well as their spouses and unemancipated
children, will be regarded as Missouri residents.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $11,400
in FY 2006, $11,742 in FY 2007, and $12,094 in FY 2008.  No
impact on Other State Funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the federal Base Realignment and
Closure Committee (BRAC) will make recommendations in May
regarding which military bases should close.  The bill is a
proactive way to let people know that Missouri is very supportive
of Whiteman Air Force Base and that we do not want it to be
closed.  There are two reasons for base closure:  low quality of
life outside the base and encroachment.  The bill addresses
encroachment by allowing the City of Knob Noster to control
zoning in the area immediately surrounding the base and prevent a
buildup of businesses and residences in the area.  Many Missouri
communities are supported by military bases and military
families, and it is important that the state support the
military.  The bill is an opportunity to be proactive rather than
respond to a crisis after it happens.  The bill also allows
dependents of military members stationed in Missouri to receive
in-state tuition at Missouri colleges and universities.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Pearce; City of Knob
Noster; City of Warrensburg; Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce;
Johnson County Commission; Missouri Municipal League; Whiteman
Area Leadership Council; Central Missouri State University;
Missouri Bankers Association; and Brigadier General Charles E.
Kruse (Retired).

OPPOSITION:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm