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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    Sept. 7, 2011
Updated: Sept. 9, 2011

Special Session Measures Introduced and Begin to Move Through Legislative Process

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JEFFERSON CITY — After the gavel sounded the start of special session in the Missouri Senate on Sept. 6, several bills have already been introduced and assigned to their respective committees. 

Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, addresses a provision in legislation passed by the General Assembly during the 2011 regular session that required school districts to adopt a teacher/employee-student communications policy by Jan. 1, 2012. 

Sen. Cunningham’s legislation would still require school districts to adopt a communications policy, moving the adoption date to March 1, 2012; however, her bill lays out the required components for inclusion in each district’s policy, including the use of electronic media and other mechanisms to prevent improper communications between staff members and students.

In addition, SB 1 would allow a teacher to establish or continue to use a work- or non-work related site that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.

Senator Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, introduced a measure that would make changes to existing tax credit programs that coincide with recommendations made by the Tax Credit Review Commission.  Programs mentioned in SB 2, among others, include:

  • Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credits
  • Special Needs Adoption Tax Credits
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
  • Historic Preservation Tax Credits
  • Brownfield Remediation Tax Credits

The legislation would also establish new tax incentive programs, including a tax credit to attract sporting events to Missouri; the Aerotropolis Trade Incentive and Tax Credit Act to create an international cargo hub  at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport; tax credits for new and expanding data centers; the Missouri Science and Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA) to attract science and innovation companies to the state; the MO Jobs Training Program to provide financial assistance regarding job training for new jobs created by qualified companies; and changes to the Missouri Quality Jobs Act, which would provide additional benefits for job retention projects.

Senate Bill 3, also sponsored by Sen. Purgason, and SB 8, sponsored by Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, makes additional changes to Missouri tax credit programs.  Both bills, among other provisions, include the Compete Missouri Program, which combines several existing business incentive programs and provides tax incentives for job creation, job retention and capital investment, and establishes the Compete Missouri Job Training Program.  Senate Bill 3 includes the Missouri Downtown Economic Stimulus Act (MODESA), which would prohibit the approval of projects under MODESA on or after the effective date of the act.

Senator Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, is sponsoring legislation that would also make changes to the Missouri Quality Jobs Act.  Senate Bill 4 would provide additional benefits for job retention projects in the state.  According to the legislation, a qualified company would be eligible to retain 100 percent of withholding taxes for all full-time employees for up to 10 years if that company retains at least 125 jobs over a 10-year period with an average wage equal to or more than 90 percent of the county average wage.  The company would also have to, within three years, make capital investment at the facility of no less than one-half of the amount of benefits received.  The act prohibits the authorization of these tax credits and others under the Missouri Quality Jobs Act on or after Aug. 28, 2017.

Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, relates to data centers.  His legislation would authorize state and local sales and use tax exemptions for new and expanding data centers.  In addition, it would allow donation lease agreements between municipalities and data center projects.

Three measures have been introduced relating to the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA).  Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Sen. Schaaf, and SB 7, sponsored by Sen. Mayer, are similar measures that would establish the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA).  The legislation lays out the powers and duties of the various board members responsible for overseeing MOSIRA.  Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, also relates to MOSIRA.

A majority of these measures have been assigned to their respective committees in the Missouri Senate.  To see the Senate’s hearing schedule, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “Senate” link under the “Hearings” header on the right-hand side of the page.

For more information about the Missouri Senate and the First Extraordinary Session of the 96th General Assembly, including a list of Senate and House bills and daily action on special session legislation, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email newsroom@senate.mo.gov.

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