SPONSOR: Coleman (97)
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Ways and Means by a vote of 6 to 0.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 2349.
Currently, a tax credit is authorized for contributions to domestic violence shelters. This bill modifies the definition of "shelter for victims of domestic violence" to include nonprofit organizations established and operating exclusively for the purpose of supporting a shelter for victims of domestic violence operated by the state or one of its political subdivisions.
This bill is the same as SB 958 (2020).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill is designed to expand the domestic violence shelter tax credit. It expands the definition and the amount of tax credits that can be issued. One in three women have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. For men, it is one in four. Domestic violence and lack of security has economic ramifications.
The bill adds two more shelters in the state that would benefit from the tax credit, including the St. Louis County s shelter. The tax credit is preferable to general revenue money that is appropriated since it is more reliable. The money can help with more things such as helping individuals with immediate needs.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Coleman; Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence; and the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say one of the places that would benefit from the expanded definition change has been turning people away.
Testifying on the bill was Cora Faith Walker, St. Louis County Executive. This bill is similar to SB No. 958 (2020) (5202S.01I).
Statutes affected: