Bill > HB685

This bill modifies the existing Waterways and Ports Trust Fund statute by establishing clearer guidelines for fund usage and eligibility. The bill creates a trust fund in the state treasury that can receive revenues from legislative appropriations, gifts, contributions, grants, or bequests. The fund is exempt from standard state treasury rules about transferring unexpended balances and will allow interest earned to be credited back to the fund. To receive money from the fund, port-related projects must meet specific criteria: they must be capital improvement projects designed to enhance commerce or transportation facilities near navigable rivers, located on land owned by a Missouri port authority (or in certain cases, by a city not within a county and managed by a port authority), funded by multiple sources with the trust fund covering no more than 80% of project costs, approved by the highways and transportation commission, and capable of completion within two years. The bill allows appropriations from the fund to be used as a local match for other grant programs. Notably, the fund will automatically dissolve on December 31, 2033, with any remaining unencumbered balance transferred to the general revenue fund. This legislation aims to provide a structured mechanism for supporting port-related infrastructure and economic development projects in Missouri.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB685&year=2025&code=R