SCS/HCS/HB 2555 - This act creates the "Cost Openness and Spending Transparency Act". Under this act, all political subdivisions and all state departments and agencies that receive state moneys and issue statements, press releases, or any other documents describing projects or programs the cost of which would exceed $50,000 and that are funded in whole or in part by state moneys shall state the following information in such statement, press release, or document: · The percentage of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with state moneys; and
· The dollar amount of state moneys used for the project or program.
These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 594 (2020) and HCS/SS/SB 725 (2020).
The act additionally creates the Missouri Local Government CARES Act Expenditure Database to be maintained on the Missouri Accountability Portal by the Office of Administration (OA). For each expenditure made by a municipality or county with funds associated with the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, the database shall include certain information as specified in the act. Every municipality and county shall provide electronically transmitted information to the Office of Administration regarding each expenditure made with funds received as a result of the CARES Act. Information regarding expenditures made from January 1-June 30 shall be submitted before July 31 of each year and information regarding expenditures made during July 1-December 31 shall be submitted before January 31 of the succeeding calendar year.
The database shall not include any confidential information or any information that is not a public record, provided the state shall not be liable for the disclosure of such a record.
One year after the database is implemented, OA shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the utility of the database.
This provision has an emergency clause.
SCOTT SVAGERA