Bill > HB1491

This bill establishes a new legal framework for creating a sports complex authority in a specific type of county (with between 230,000 and 260,000 inhabitants). The authority would be composed of five commissioners selected through a process where the county's governing body submits a panel of nine names to the governor, who then chooses five commissioners with Senate approval, ensuring no more than three commissioners are from the same political party. Commissioners would serve staggered terms of two to six years, with subsequent terms lasting five years. The authority would have powers similar to existing sports complex authorities and can be used to develop, maintain, or operate sports, convention, exhibition, or trade facilities. The bill also creates a "Convention and Sports Complex Fund" that can receive up to $3 million annually from state general revenue, but only if the county has entered into a contract or lease with a professional sports team from major leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB after January 1, 2026. To receive state funding, the county must first contribute $3 million per year to the fund, and the state transfers would continue for 40 years. The bill requires annual reporting to the General Assembly and mandates biennial audits of the fund by a certified public accountant.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1491&year=2025&code=R