Legislative News

The Senate wrapped up its 10th week of session Thursday, with a number of Senate bills advancing to the House for further consideration. Among the measures I supported, Senate Bill 11 will make it easier for business and industry to take advantage of “Chapter 100” bonds, which are also known as Industrial Development Revenue bonds. Chapter 100 allows a private company to utilize a local government’s tax exempt status in several ways in order to save costs on property taxes or the purchase of construction and equipment. Chapter 100 bonds are the state’s oldest form of economic development, first formalized in 1947.

I was also happy to support Senate Bill 139, which will establish the Rx Cares for Missouri program. Administered by the state Board of Pharmacy with consultation from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Rx Cares for Missouri will provide grants to promote the safe use of medications and prevent prescription drug abuse. Only already existing funds collected from pharmacist fees would be used. This program is part of state lawmakers’ ongoing efforts to fight prescription drug abuse in our state.

Regrettably, the Senate approved two measures I do not feel are right for Missouri or our citizens. Senate Bill 34 creates the crime of illegal re-entry, which is punishable as a Class C felony. Under this legislation, any person who is deported for committing certain federal crimes and then re-enters Missouri and commits a felony would serve jail time here, rather than being deported. If SB 34 is signed into law, it is Missouri taxpayers who will have to foot the bill. Senate Bill 66 makes harmful changes to Missouri’s workers’ compensation laws, specifically regarding how long an injured worker can receive temporary partial and temporary total disability benefits.   

Committee News

In committee news this week, I was pleased to present Senate Bill 365 to the Local Government and Elections Committee. This legislation will make it easier for the City of Kansas City to hold irresponsible landlords financially accountable for neglecting their properties.

As I detailed in last week’s column, there are more than 16,000 vacant properties in the Kansas City area; for several thousand of these, an owner cannot be located. Many more are owned by out-of-state, absentee landlords who purchase these properties for next to nothing in hopes they will be able to capitalize on it at some future point. These abandoned properties are overrun with feral cats, overgrown with weeds, and littered with trash and debris. They are used for such criminal activity as dog fighting and drug abuse. Unfortunately, the cost to upkeep these dangerous, derelict properties falls on the taxpayers when the landowner cannot be found.

Currently, limited liability companies (LLCs) leasing real property to others or owning unoccupied real property in Kansas City must file an affidavit with the city clerk listing the manager of the property. Senate Bill 365 will require the affidavit to include the name of an individual who actually has control of the property, as well as his or her street address. If an LLC required to file an affidavit fails to file, any person who has been adversely affected or the city may petition the court to direct the filing of an affidavit. Any LLC that fails or refuses to file an affidavit shall be fined $500 per day. The LLC will then have 90 days to file or the City of Kansas City may petition the court to declare the property abandoned. The property would then be transferred to the city if certain conditions are met.

It continues to be an honor serving the men, women and children of Missouri’s 9th Senate District. As we move forward through session, please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City.

For a complete list of all Sen. Curls' sponsored legislation and committee assignments, please click here or visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/mem09/.