CCS #2 SCS HCS HB 88 -- RECREATIONAL DISTRICTS; STORM WATER
CONTROL; SEWER DISTRICTS; WATER SUPPLY DISTRICTS

This bill allows the establishment of regional recreational
districts that may cross municipal and county boundaries.
Creation of a district must be requested by at least 100
residents and approved by voters.  Districts may not include an
existing recreational or park system unless there is a mutual
agreement between the district and the existing system.  Each
district is managed by 7 directors who must be residents of the
district.  When a district is formed, directors are appointed by
the governing bodies of the included counties for one to three-
year staggered terms.  Subsequent vacancies are filled by
election for three-year terms.  If authorized by voters, a
district may levy a tax of not more than 60 cents per $100 of
assessed property valuation to fund the establishment,
administration, and maintenance of public recreational
facilities.

The bill also authorizes any municipality or county, if approved
by voters, to impose an additional sales tax of up to 1/2 cent
to fund local parks or storm water control.  Revenue may be used
for any local park or storm water control activity authorized by
the governing body of the county or municipality.

The bill also makes all cities and counties eligible for state
appropriations for storm water control, reduces the local
matching funds requirement from 2/3 to 20%, and allows state
appropriations to be used for storm water control plans and
studies.  Funds used for plans or studies must be expended
within 2 years of appropriation.

Kansas City and Clay, Platte, Greene, Boone, and Jefferson
counties may establish sewage or storm water facility
improvement districts, if approved by 4/7 of voters at general
municipal, primary, or general elections, or by 2/3 of voters at
other elections.  The city or county can incur indebtedness and
issue temporary notes and general obligation bonds to fund
district improvements.  Total indebtedness may not exceed 10% of
the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the
district.  Property assessments for improvements and maintenance
will be based on benefits received.  Proposed assessments will
be considered at a public hearing, and may be appealed to the
county board of equalization.

If approved by voters, any city, town, village, or county in the
St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District may levy an annual fee of
up to $28 on residential property of 6 or fewer dwelling units.
Funds may be used to repair defective lateral sewer lines from
the main sewer to the boundary of the right-of-way.

Upon mutual agreement, the county commissions of Jackson, Cass,
St. Louis, and all first class non-charter counties may assign
their responsibility for the operation of a sewer district to
the board of trustees of any common sewer district which lies
wholly or partially within the county.

The bill also allows a majority of landowners in an area to file
a petition for annexation to a county water supply district.
For any proposed annexation, the circuit court is not required
to publish notice of a hearing if the majority of the landowners
in the proposed annexation consent in writing, and notice is
posted in 3 public places at least 7 days before the hearing.
If there has been no publication, the circuit court will not
approve the annexation unless testimony is given by at least 5
landowners, or by a majority of landowners if there are fewer
than 10.

HCS HB 88 -- RECREATIONAL DISTRICTS AND STORM WATER CONTROL
(McBride)

This substitute allows the establishment of regional
recreational districts that may cross municipal and county
boundaries.  Creation of a district must be requested by at
least 100 residents and approved by voters.  Districts may not
include existing recreational or park systems unless there is a
mutual agreement between the district and the existing system.
Each district is managed by 7 directors who must be residents of
the district.  When a district is formed, directors are
appointed by the governing bodies of the included counties for
one to three-year staggered terms.  Subsequent vacancies are
filled by election for three-year terms.  If authorized by
voters, a district may levy a tax of not more than 60 cents per
$100 of assessed property valuation to fund the establishment,
administration, and maintenance of public recreational
facilities.

The substitute also authorizes any municipality or county, if
approved by voters, to impose an additional sales tax of up to
1/2 cent to fund local parks and storm water control.  Revenue
may be used for any local park or storm water control activity
authorized by the governing body of the county or municipality.

FISCAL NOTE:  Income to General Revenue Fund in FY 86, Unknown,
FY 97, Unknown, & FY 88, Unknown.

HCS HB 88 -- RECREATIONAL DISTRICTS AND STORM WATER CONTROL

SPONSOR:  McBride

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on State
Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources by a vote of 7 to 1.

This substitute allows the establishment of regional
recreational districts that may cross municipal and county
boundaries.  Creation of a district must be requested by at
least 100 residents and approved by voters.  Districts may not
include existing recreational systems.  Each district is managed
by 7 directors who must be residents of the district.  When a
district is formed, directors are appointed by the governing
bodies of the included counties for 1 to 3-year staggered
terms.  Subsequent vacancies are filled by election for 3-year
terms.  If authorized by voters, a district may levy a tax of
not more than 60 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation
to fund the establishment, administration, and maintenance of
public recreational facilities.

The substitute also authorizes any municipality or county, if
approved by voters, to impose an additional sales tax of up to
1/2 cent to fund local parks and storm water control.  Revenue
may be used for any local park or storm water control activity
authorized by the governing body of the county or municipality.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of this printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that small communities have the need
but lack the tax base for recreational facilities.  This bill
allows voters to establish regional districts that broaden the
tax base.  Further, taxing more than just real property does not
place the entire burden on landowners.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Hegeman and
Ridgeway; James Goss; Byron Roach; and the Clay County
Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Terry Finger, Research Analyst

HB 88 -- Regional Recreational Districts

Sponsor:  Hegeman

This bill allows the establishment of regional recreational
districts that may cross municipal and county boundaries.
Creation of a district must be requested by at least 100
residents and approved by voters.  Each district is managed by 7
directors appointed by the governing bodies of the counties
involved.  Directors serve 3-year staggered terms and must be
residents of the district.  If authorized by voters, a district
may levy a tax of not more than 60 cents per $100 of assessed
property valuation to fund the establishment and maintenance of
public recreational facilities.