HB 611, HCA 1 -- PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT FUNDS

CO-SPONSORS:  Wiggins, Shoemyer, Berkstresser, Ransdall

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government and Related Matters by a vote of 14 to 3.

This bill requires all counties and the City of St. Louis to
withhold a percentage of ad valorem property tax collections
from all taxing jurisdictions and deposit the withholdings in
their assessment fund.

The percentage of withholding will be one-fifth of 1% for
counties of the first classification and the City of St. Louis
and one-half of 1% for all other counties.

The moneys deposited into the assessment fund may be used solely
for acquiring technology-related equipment and services to
assist in the assessment of property.  These moneys cannot be
used to reduce county general revenue contributions to their
assessment funds.

HCA 1 -- Excludes the City of St. Louis and counties of the
first classification from the bill.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that funds are needed to buy
computers and software to keep assessments uniform.  Many
offices need to be updated.  Populations increase and the job
becomes more difficult without the proper tools.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Wiggins and
Berkstresser; Randolph County Assessor; Missouri Assessor's
Association; Missouri State Tax Commission; and Jackson County.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it will take over
$1 million from the schools.  This is too much money.  First
classification counties already have this technology.  People
voted to have this money used for schools.  Schools should be
the priority.

Testifying against the bill were Cooperating School Districts of
the Greater Kansas City Area; Missouri School Board Association;
and Missouri Council of School Administrators.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:45 am