2008-02-29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 22, 2008 MML Legislative Bulletin #3. BILLBOARD REGULATIONS SCS/SS/SB 809 ... (Stouffer) The Senate Transportation Committee voted "Do Pass" this week on the billboard proposal. The bill is currently on the Senate perfection calendar. The MML is concerned about two major items the billboard industry is trying to do. First, the billboard industry will be able to upgrade existing signage across the state. When you see a small wooden dilapidated sign along the highway, that same sign will be allowed to increase in size and exhibit digital signage. The other concern deals with the fact that cities will be required to pay astronomical costs in reference to condemning these signs when I- 70 and I-44 undergo large rebuilding projects. The MML is working to ensure that the billboard businesses follow all local zoning and signing regulations. The bill is heavily supported by the Missouri Outdoor Advertising Association. PROPERTY TAX REFORM MOVING IN THE SENATE SS/SCS/SB 711 ... (Gibbons) The Senate perfected this bill on Thursday, February 21. The measure mandates that all taxing jurisdictions, regardless of whether they are operating at or below their tax rate ceiling, must roll back their tax rate to counter reassessment increases. Currently, only taxing jurisdictions operating at their tax rate ceiling are required by Missouri's Constitution to roll back to protect taxpayers, but taxing jurisdictions operating below their ceiling may approve tax increases with no recourse. In addition, governing bodies of political subdivisions must informally project tax rate levies and provide such projected levies to the county clerk no later than April 15 of each year. Failure by a political subdivision to provide projected tax levies by that date, will result in a 20 percent reduction in such political subdivision tax levy for the tax year. REP. ZIMMERMAN AMENDS VoIP DEREGULATION BILL H.B. 1779 ... (Emery) In the House Utilities Committee, Representative Jake Zimmerman successfully amended HCS/HB 1779, the VoIP deregulation bill, to clarify that VoIP providers would continue to pay sales taxes and city business licenses (telecommunication gross receipts taxes). Chairman Ed Emery did not oppose the amendment. Municipal officials should express their appreciation to Rep. Zimmerman for advocating the municipal position. We are currently negotiating the exact wording with telecommunications and cable lobbyists but everyone seems to concur with the purpose of the amendment. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS S.B. 970 ... (Scott) Current law requires certain officials of a political subdivision with an operating budget of over $1 million to file financial interest statements. S.B. 970 changes the operating budget floor to those over $2 million. This bill is currently on the Senate consent calendar. CLOSED RECORDS FOR SECURITY REASONS S.B. 953 ... (Scott) This bill extends a sunset clause to the year 2012 on the ability of a public governmental body to close certain operational guidelines and policies used to respond to terrorist incidents as well as security systems and structural plans of real property. This bill too is on the Senate consent calendar. Other Bills of Municipal Interest PROPERTY TAXES H.J.R. 65 ... (Icet) Limits the increase of the property taxes to the rate of inflation outlined within the consumer price index. Exclusions to this increase would include new construction and improvements to real property. (Opposed by MML Policy) PROPERTY TAXES H.J.R. 68 ... (Bivins) Property tax revenue may increase only 2.5 percent every two years. (Opposed by MML Policy)