This bill modifies the membership of the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission, as specified in the bill, beginning August 28, 2026. The Commission is a body corporate and a political subdivision of the State.
Beginning August 28, 2026, the members of the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission replace the existing Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority. On August 28, 2026, membership of the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission will increase from 11 to 15 members. The initial appointments for the new positions must be selected from among the current commissioners of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority. The bill expands the powers of Regional Convention and Visitors Commission, to include the exercise all powers, duties, rights, authorities, and obligations of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority; to develop, devise, promote, fund, or contribute to the support and development of sports and entertainment attractions; to levy and collect special assessments and taxes; and to levy sales taxes as provided in the bill.
This bill authorizes the Commission to levy one or more special assessments against real property within the boundaries of the "convention district", as defined in the bill, upon receipt of a petition signed by owners of real property collectively owning more than 50% of the assessed value within the district and more than 50% per capita of the owners of all real property within the district. The format of the petition is specified in the bill.
The method of allocating special assessments must be specified in the petition, and the commission may establish different classes of property within the district for the purpose of special assessments. A special assessment will constitute a perpetual lien against a property, and the county collector may add the special assessment to the real property tax bill for the property. Any delinquent payment of a special assessment can be collected as provided for delinquent property tax payments, including the sale of delinquent property to satisfy the lien.
A separate fund or account must be created by the Commission for each special assessment levied. The fund or account can be used solely to pay the costs incurred in undertaking the specified service project. Upon completion of the service or project as set forth in the petition, the balance remaining in the fund or account will be returned or credited against the amount of the original assessment of each parcel of property. Any funds in a fund or account that are not needed for current expenditures can be invested by the Commission.
The Commission may, subject to voter approval, impose a sales tax up to 2% on all sales made within the district. The form of ballot is specified in the bill.
This bill repeals the requirement that the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority design or construct multi-purpose stadiums to meet NFL franchise standards, and that the stadiums be located adjacent to an existing convention facility.
Currently, all funds deposited in the County Convention and Recreation Trust Fund must be disbursed for the payment of the county's share of any rent, fees, or charges payable according to any contract entered into under existing law. This bill provides that any remaining moneys will be annually disbursed to the Regional Convention and Visitors Commission for general revenue purposes.
The bill expands the authority of the state to expend funds for land clearance projects relating to tourism infrastructure facilities to also allow the expending of funds for projects relating to facilities owned, managed, or operated by a regional convention and visitors commission. The date by which applications must be made and approved by the Department of Economic Development is extended to August 28, 2028. The definition of "tourism infrastructure facilities" is expanded to also include existing convention centers or sports stadiums, field houses, indoor and outdoor convention, recreational, and entertainment facilities and centers, and playing fields. Currently, a public body may enter into an agreement with a land clearance for redevelopment authority to carry out such project but the term of state appropriations cannot exceed 20 years. This bill allows the term of state appropriation for any agreement entered into beginning August 28, 2021, and ending on August 28, 2028, not to exceed 30 years. The bill also limits the annual appropriation for any such regional convention and visitors commission projects to $4 million.
Statutes affected: