SCS/HS/HCS/HB 1305 - This act makes numerous changes to community programs and tax code.

URBAN HOUSING, CLEAN-UP & PUBLIC BENEFIT - The act authorizes St. Louis and Kansas City to discharge special tax bills upon determination that doing so would accrue to the public benefit. It also authorizes these cities to enact illegal dumping ordinances, and authorizes Kansas City to clean up illegally-dumped solid waste. Illegal dumping is defined as a criminal activity.

Kansas City is also authorized to require registration of landlord's agents for purposes of serving process for violations of building and safety codes.

The act also provides that when a water district in a Franklin County is unable to meet the water-supply needs of any party in the district, such party is free to opt out of the district.

COMMUNITY COMEBACK ACT & HOUSING PROGRAMS - The act also creates a "community comeback" program in St. Louis County, and makes technical changes to homeless assistance programs in St. Louis City. It imposes a new $3 fee on recording of legal documents in St. Louis City to finance homeless assistance programs, including rehabilitation of housing in violation of code. "Neighborhood association" is defined and added to the list of organizations authorized to participate in certain housing redevelopment programs. This provision is also found in CCS/SCS/HS/HB 1238 (TAT).

A pilot program for housing redevelopment in St. Louis is created, supported by a $5 fee on the recording of legal filings in the 22nd judicial district.

Residents of mobile home parks are given new protections, including a right of 180-day notice before being evicted due to a change of use in the property, and 60-day notice of rent increases (except due to increased property taxes). Mobile home units used as for educational purposes are required to comply with safety codes, and compliance within 90 days of notice is mandated. Fines are increased for noncompliance.

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS - The act also expands existing economic development taxes to be available in Barry, Christian, Clay, Howell, Lawrence, Lincoln, Ray, and Stoddard Counties. It also modifies the powers of community improvement districts, including a new general sales tax authorization, and specific new powers to levy a sales tax in St. Louis City and business license taxes in Green County.

TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS - A tax credit for demolition expenses is added to the historical tax credit section. A provision is added providing that payments of property taxes are to be applied firs to delinquencies and then to current-year taxes.

This act defines "cotton linter" for purposes of a recycling tax credit. This portion of the act is similar to SB 801 and SCS/HB 1454 (TAT).

CEMETERIES - This act also makes several changes to the law governing cemeteries. It provides that vandalism of cemeteries is a crime of institutional vandalism, and provides that abandoned cemeteries may be transferred to public ownership by petition. A civil action is created for cemetery vandalism.
DAVID TALLMAN