HS HCS HB 1868 -- REGIONAL TAXICAB COMMISSION (Barry)

This substitute creates a Regional Taxicab Commission that will
exercise authority over a regional taxicab district consisting of
St. Louis City and St. Louis County.  The purposes of the
commission are to improve the quality of taxicab service and to
exercise authority over licensing, control, and regulation of the
district.  The commission is a public corporation acting in a
governmental capacity.

The substitute specifies the composition of the commission,
including the number of members, appointment of members, terms of
service, the selection of a chairperson, and residency
requirements for members.  The substitute also specifies the
duties and powers of the commission.

In addition, the substitute:

(1)  Requires the commission to establish a district-wide taxicab
code which seeks to preserve code provisions similar to specified
code sections of the St. Louis City Municipal Ordinances and St.
Louis County Ordinances;

(2)  Requires the commission to seek input from St. Louis City,
St. Louis County, and the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
authority for the purpose of providing taxicab service;

(3)  Requires the ordinances for St. Louis City and St. Louis
County relating to taxicabs to remain in force for 120 days after
the commission adopts its taxicab code and then to be rescinded;

(4)  Requires the commission to develop procedures pertaining to
licensure requirements and appeal procedures for licensure;

(5)  Requires the commission to establish an annual fee-generated
budget;

(6)  Requires the commission to submit a written report before
the second Monday in April of each year to the chief executives
and governing bodies of St. Louis City and St. Louis County.  The
report is required to contain the operating conditions and fiscal
management conditions of the commission; and

(7)  Requires the chief executives of St. Louis City and St.
Louis County, before the end of the first fiscal year of the
commission, to appoint one or more certified public accountants
who will conduct an annual examination of the commission's books,
papers, documents, accounts, and vouchers.  The commission is
required to assist the certified public accountants in the
performance of their duties.

The substitute authorizes the formation of regional
transportation development districts to fund, promote, plan,
design, construct, improve, maintain, and operate transportation
projects or assist with these activities.

To place a proposal to create a regional transportation
development district on the ballot, a petition must be filed by
at least 50 registered voters of a county or the City of St.
Louis in the circuit court within the proposed district.  The
governing body of any county or the City of St. Louis may also
pass an ordinance allowing voters to decide upon creation of a
district.  Provisions for public notice and voter approval are
spelled out in the substitute.  If the question fails, it cannot
be considered again for two years.  Upon voter approval, a
district board of directors must be elected.  The board must
appoint an executive director, district secretary, treasurer, and
other officers or employees as necessary.

A district will have the power to contract and incur liabilities;
purchase, lease, or lease-purchase property; borrow money; issue
bonds; sue and be sued; set compensation of employees and
contractors; and collect and disburse funds.

The substitute also contains language dealing with the following:

(1)  District taxing ability;

(2)  Cost recovery of filing and defending the petition;

(3)  Quorum for a board of directors;

(4)  Contracting ability with the Highways and Transportation
Commission and local transportation authorities;

(5)  Condemnation process;

(6)  Law enforcement on district property;

(7)  District audit requirements; and

(8)  Abolishment procedures for districts.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to General Revenue Fund of $0
to Unknown in FY 2003, FY 2004, and FY 2005.  Oversight assumes
that collection fees would be greater than programming costs.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:02 am