HCS HB 717 -- DISTRIBUTION OF GAMING COMMISSION FUNDS

SPONSOR:  Day

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Veterans by a vote of 7 to 4.

This substitute changes the distribution of money in the Gaming
Commission Fund.  The remaining net proceeds in the fund for each
fiscal year be distributed as follows:

(1)  The amount transferred to the Missouri College Guarantee
Fund and the Missouri National Guard Trust Fund will remain at
their current levels;

(2)  The Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund will
receive the second $11 million portion for Fiscal Year 2008, the
second $16 million portion for Fiscal Year 2009, and the second
$21 million portion for Fiscal Year 2010 and each subsequent
year; and

(3)  The provision requiring $3 million to be transferred to the
Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund when the
Gaming Commission Fund annually exceeds $28 million is repealed.

Each fiscal year, total revenues to the Gaming Commission Fund
for the preceding fiscal year must be annually compared by
October 1 to the total expenditures and transfers from the fund
for the preceding fiscal year.  The Missouri Gaming Commission
must notify the Office of Administration of the comparison by
November 1 before the proceeds in the fund can be distributed.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that with the current distribution of
money from this fund the veterans' homes have empty beds and
waiting lists.  With the increase of veterans needing care, the
capital improvement trust fund needs increased funding.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Day; and Dewey Riehn,
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Missouri
Department.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that cutting early
childhood development funding is not the answer.  There needs to
be a way to provide more money to both of these underfunded
programs.  By cutting early childhood, education of these special
populations will end up costing more.  Early childhood
intervention has shown a good return on the money spent.

Testifying against the bill were Candy Iverson, Missouri
Childhood Development and Referral; Missouri National Education
Association; Citizens for Missouri's Children; and Partnership
for Children.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:20 am