HCS/SS/SB 732 - This act pertains to recreation and entertainment districts.

This act pertains to the metropolitan parks and recreation district. Under this act, the word "primary" has been removed from the statute, leaving the duty of the districts open for the development, operation, and maintenance of a system of parks and trails. Language has been added to clarify that nothing shall restrict the districts from entering into or initiating projects dealing with parks that are not necessarily connected to trails. Other added language pertains to grants awarded to municipalities for park purposes, with this act, those grants must be consistent with the purpose of the district.

This act goes on to state that the district shall not substitute for the powers and responsibilities of other conservation and environmental regulatory agencies. This act specifically states that nothing in the statute shall authorize the district to regulate water quality, watershed, or land use issues in the counties comprising the district.

This act enables St. Charles county to establish a theater, cultural arts, and entertainment district. Through the voters of such district authorizing a sales tax of no more than 1/2 of 1% on all retails sales within the proposed district, such district can be formed; the land area and petition requirements are laid out in the act. This act also requires subdistricts to be formed for voting and board representation purposes. Any subdistrict that does not vote for the district shall not be a part of that district, nor shall they be required to impose the sales tax within that subdistrict. This act lays out the criteria for and powers of the district's board of directors, the power to issue bonds is included in this act. This act details ballot language for the formation and dissolution of the theater, cultural arts and entertainment districts, and this act lays out that the revenue from the sales tax collected shall be deposited into a trust fund for the purpose of supporting the district.
MEGAN CRAIN