SB 156 -- PORT AUTHORITIES

SPONSOR:  Shields (Richard)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Job Creation and Economic Development by a vote of 13 to 0.

This bill expands the purposes of port authorities in Missouri to
include the promotion of development within the port district and
expands their powers to include the ability to redevelop land and
conduct land reclamation and resource recovery with respect to
unimproved land, residential developments, commercial
developments, and mixed-use developments.

Currently, port authorities may operate a recreational facility,
industrial parks, terminals, and warehouses for five years if no
private operators are available to do so.  After five years, the
authority must request competitive bids from private operators.
This provision is removed and instead authorizes port authorities
to enter into agreements with private operators or public
entities for the joint development of property within the port
district.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill gives the Kansas City
Port Authority the flexibility it needs to develop the river
front.  They can use residential and commercial development for a
mixed-use project.  The bill clarifies the port authority's
power to enter into agreements for both residential and
commercial enterprises.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Shields; Port Authority of
Kansas City; City of Kansas City; and the Greater Kansas City
Chamber of Commerce.

OPPONENTS:  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 1:21 pm