HB 444 -- EXCURSION BOAT GAMING FEES

CO-SPONSORS:  Jackson, Shoemaker (8), Kingery, Avery, Jetton,
Ruestman, Moore, Cooper (155), Dixon

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Tax Policy
by a vote of 16 to 2.

This bill changes the distribution of excess moneys in the Gaming
Commission Fund each year.

The bill increases the transfer of excess moneys to the Veterans'
Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund from $3 million to $7
million and increases the transfer to the Missouri College
Guarantee Fund from $3 million to $4.5 million.

The bill also changes the transfer of excess moneys in the Gaming
Commission Fund on any amount in excess of $27 million.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to the Veterans' Commission
Capital Improvement Trust Fund of $4,133,217 in FY 2004, FY 2005,
and FY 2006.  Estimated Net Loss to the Early Childhood
Development, Education and Care Fund of $4,133,217 in FY 2004, FY
2005, and FY 2006.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that more and more projects have been
added to the expenditures from the Veterans' Commission Capital
Improvement Trust Fund.  The fund will be broke by the year 2007
if more money is not transferred.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Jackson; Missouri
Veterans Organizations; Arnie Lee; American Legion; and Missouri
Veterans Commission.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the Early
Childhood Development Fund would decrease under the proposal and
crucial services to Missouri's children would not be provided.

Testifying against the bill were Citizens for Missouri's
Children; and Partnership for Missouri's Children.

Bill Tucker, Deputy Director of Research

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am