CURRENT LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

February 2002 HAA Legislative Activity Report:

Kansas City, MO:

Elevators- Representative Marsha Campbell is refining a bill that will effectively provide a means for Kansas City elevators to obtain exempt status from the State Elevator Safety Board in recognition of  the city’s local inspection and certification program. The measure will meet stiff opposition from labor and will require extraordinary support should it make it  through the General Assembly to Governor Holden for his signature.

Street Closing Fees- The KCMO Public Works Department, in response to instructions from the City Council, has proposed an additional street closing fee to compensate the public for  “inconvenience” in detoured traffic flows. Depending on the distance of detour and the length of time involved, some projects will incur tens of thousands of dollars in additional costs if this measure passes.

       Overland Park-

Storm Water Utility- It is HAA’s intent to lead an effort to persuade O.P. that its revenue assumptions are flawed as the result of a declining apartment market and the additional negative impact of  the associated fees to property values. The question of “due process” will remain a peripheral issue while we establish a valid economic case.

        Kansas-

HB 2924 (Water Sub-Metering Charges to Tenants)- Kent Glasscock    has introduced the bill that exempts landlords from being designated a “public utility” by virtue of back charging their tenants reasonable  water utility costs (with or without separate meters) . 

SB 593 (Forced Access)-  The bill (introduced by the Committee on Commerce) prohibits an owner from entering into exclusive telecommunications arrangements and contains an arbitration provision where landlord and provider cannot arrive at a mutually acceptable compensation agreement.

        Missouri-

HB 1500 (Forced Access)- The bill was the pre-cursor for  Kansas SB 593 (almost verbatim). Referred to House Utility Regulation Committee

HB 1403 (Limits on Retainage)- The bill with strong contractor support limits retainage to no more than 5% and requires acceptance of alternative security to the withholding of payment through substantial completion.  Voted “do pass” by the House committee on Labor by a vote of 13 to 2.

SJR 27 (Simple Majority for School Bond Issues)- The bill eliminates the requirement for a “super majority” (4 / 7) to approve a school bond issue. Referred to Senate Education Committee. HJR 32 (House Version) House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee voted “do pass”.  

See Attached Memo: Real Estate and Terror Insurance