SB 1540 - This act modifies provisions relating to certain convention and visitors commissions. REGIONAL CONVENTION AND VISITORS COMMISSION Current law authorizes the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County to establish a Regional Convention and Visitors Commission, to consist of eleven members to be appointed by the chief executives of the city and county. This act changes the composition of the Commission to fifteen members, with five to be appointed by the Governor, five to be appointed by the chief executive of the city, and five to be appointed by the chief executive of the county, as described in the act. (Section 67.601) Current law empowers the Commission to lease and sublease an existing convention center for a period not to exceed forty years. This act repeals such forty year limit. The act also give additional powers to the Commission, including 1) to exercise all powers, duties, rights, authorities, and obligations of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, 2) to develop, devise, promote, fund, or contribute to the support and development of sports and entertainment attractions, 3) to levy and collect special assessments and taxes, and 4) to levy sales taxes as provided in the act. (Section 67.607) The act authorizes the Commission to levy one or more special assessments against real property withing the boundaries of the convention district, as defined in the act, upon receipt of a petition signed by owners of real property collectively owning more than fifty percent of the assessed value within the district and more than fifty percent per capita of the owners of all real property within the district. The method of allocating special assessments shall be specified in the petition, and the Commission may establish different classes of property within the district for the purpose of special assessments. A special assessment shall constitute a perpetual lien against the property, and the county collector may add the special assessment to the real property tax bill for the property. Any delinquent payment of a special assessment may be collected as provided for delinquent property tax payments, including the sale of delinquent property to satisfy the lien. The Commission may additionally impose a sales tax on all sales made within the district, provided the rate shall not exceed 2%. The Commission shall submit such sales tax to the qualified voters of the district by mail-in ballot. (Section 67.618) ST. LOUIS REGIONAL CONVENTION AND SPORTS COMPLEX AUTHORITY Current law authorizes the establishment of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, which shall consist of eleven members. Beginning August 28, 2026, this act provides that the existing terms of such commissioners shall terminate, and that the members of the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission shall become the new commissioners of the Authority. (Section 67.652) Current law empowers the Authority to construct multi-purpose stadiums, provided that any such stadium is designed and constructed to meet National Football League franchise standards and be located adjacent to an existing convention facility. This act repeals such design requirement. (Section 67.653) Current law requires all funds deposited in the County Convention and Recreation Trust Fund to be disbursed for the payment of the county's share of any rent, fees, or charges payable pursuant to any contract entered into pursuant to current law. This act provides that any remaining moneys shall be annually disbursed to the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission for the Commission's general revenue purposes. (Section 67.657) LAND CLEARANCE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Current law authorizes the state to expend funds for the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of a land clearance project or projects. This act extends such authority to expending funds for such projects located within any area, property, or facility owned, managed, leased, maintained, or operated by the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission. Current law limits any state appropriation for such projects to a period of twenty years. This act provides that any agreement entered into between August 28, 2021, and August 28, 2028, shall not exceed thirty years, and provides that any appropriation for a Regional Convention and Visitors Commission project shall not exceed $4 million per fiscal year, and no such appropriation shall be made prior to July 1, 2027, for any tourism infrastructure facilities, as defined in the act, located in any convention district. JOSH NORBERG