SS SCS SB 225 -- HUNTING HERITAGE PROTECTION AREAS ACT

SPONSOR:  Stouffer (Munzlinger)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Agri-Business by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Hunting Heritage Protection Areas
Act which specifies that, subject to all applicable state,
federal, and local laws in effect as of the effective date of the
substitute, the discharge of a fire arm for hunting, sport, and
other lawful purposes will not be prohibited in specified
protected areas.  Protected areas will include all land located
within the 100-year flood plain of the Missouri and Mississippi
rivers as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Areas exempt from the provisions of the substitute include:

(1)  Areas designated as urbanized areas by the 2000 United
States census;

(2)  Land used by a facility that is regulated by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission;

(3)  Land used for the operation of a port of commerce or a
customs port;

(4)  Land within the city boundaries of Kansas City or St. Louis;
and

(5)  Land located within one-half mile of an interstate highway
in existence on the effective date of the substitute.

New tax increment financing (TIF) projects are prohibited after
the effective date of the substitute, except for:

(1)  Improving existing flood or drainage protection; and

(2)  Constructing or operating a renewable fuel production
facility if no new development occurs as a result of the project.

TIF projects or districts approved prior to the effective date of
the substitute are allowed to make certain modifications.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill preserves migratory
bird habitats and increases the economic opportunities of the
hunting industry while prohibiting a taxpayer's money from being
spent on projects located in the 100-year flood plain.  Private
investments in projects in the flood plain are unaffected.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Stouffer; and National Rifle
Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that towns located in
the 100-year flood plain need to be able to prohibit hunting
within their borders.

Testifying on the bill was Missouri Municipal League.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am