JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Missouri state representatives are keeping busy in the special legislative session, approving six pieces of legislation on Friday.
The Missouri House has approved a property tax break for businesses destroyed by natural disasters. Friday's 149-0 vote on HB5 sends the measure to the state Senate. The legislation allows disaster-damaged buildings on commercial property to be removed from property tax rolls until the structures can be used again. Local governments would need to decide to offer the tax break.
Lawmakers on Friday also broadened the legislation to help communities rebuild from natural disasters. Proponents said the measure would allow some state tax revenue collected in designated redevelopment areas to be used for recovery.
Missouri has faced several disasters this year, including tornadoes in Joplin, Sedalia and the St. Louis area and flooding along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Rep. Zach Wyatt, R-Novinger, told KTVO the economic development package, which was the main reason for the special session, remains stalled in the Senate. Wyatt says the main sticking point is the Aerotropolis Trade Incentive and Tax Credit Act. That plan is designed to boost international trade.
The Senate has adjourned and will convene late Monday afternoon.
And Wyatt says while it was not part of the governor's call for special session, the House voted Friday to use $150 million from the state's rainy day fund for disaster relief. But the vote may be mostly symbolic. Under the Missouri Constitution, the governor sets the agenda for special sessions. And Gov. Jay Nixon did not include the rainy day fund on his agenda.
House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan Silvey said Friday it makes sense to use the rainy day fund for disaster relief and urged Nixon to add it to the special session. Otherwise, Silvey says that tapping the reserve fund would be unconstitutional.
Nixon has pledged $150 million for disaster response and made budget cuts to help cover the expense. His office says it is premature to consider using the reserve fund.
And the House has given first-round approval to a tax amnesty period for delinquent taxpayers.
The state would waive interest and penalties for those who pay their tax bills between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29. Under the amnesty approved by House members on Friday, delinquent taxpayers would need to pay off their balance and agree to comply with state tax laws for the next eight years.
Missouri twice has offered tax amnesties within the past decade. The amnesty brought in $74 million during the 2002 fiscal year and $42 million a year later.
And in another measure endorsed by the House, Missouri voters would wait until March to cast ballots in the presidential primary.
The legislation approved Friday by the House would push Missouri's presidential primary from February to March. The change is needed to comply with rules set by the national Republican and Democratic parties.
The measure also increases the filing fee for presidential candidates. Currently, the candidates pay a $1,000 fee to their respective political parties. The measure increases that to $5,000 for next year's election and to $10,000 after that.
The House is now waiting for action from the Senate to move forward with special session.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
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