SB 89- Kansas preemptive rent control . The bill was passed and referred to the House by the Senate, largely due to the efforts of HAA. The bill has met with significant opposition in the House from the League of Municipalities and the Association of Kansas Counties. Both organizations are strong advocates for "home rule", which, in the instance of local rent control, would be extinguished under the bill's provisions requiring state-wide acquiescence of any local rent control proposition.

HB 760- Exempting Kansas City from the inspection and certification standards imposed by the Missouri State Elevator Safety Board. The bill was introduced by Representative Marsha Campbell (south KC) on behalf of KCMO (the City), the Chamber of Commerce of Greater KC, BOMA, the Missouri Association of Realtors, and HAA (see attached March 6 testimony). While the Urban Affairs Committee in which the bill was introduced was comprised solely of KC area representatives who generally supported our position to retain local control of elevator inspections, elevator workers from around Missouri are on record with strong opposition to HB 760. Their argument is that KC's local amendments to the code create an unsafe situation, when in reality elevator service providers stand to gain a great deal from work generated as the result of highly subjective state inspections shoulf the state Fire Marshal prevail in his determination that the city's program is inadequate to protect the public. Just prior to the introduction of the bill, the state Attorney General rendered an opinion that the original (1994) legislative intent was to exempt jurisdictions from state administration if a substantial local program is in place. The AG stopped short of ruling whether the KC program is "stringent" enough to meet the intended exemption criteria, leaving the matter to be settled in the General Assembly once and for all.

HB 662 & HB 482- Restricts retainage in private construction contracts of Missouri owners to no more than 5%; and would require owners to accept alternative securities (in lieu of withholding payment) from contractors, which when received would require immediate release of retainage previously withheld. Courts may award 18% interest on improperly withheld retainage and may award attorney's fees in actions pursuant to the bill(s); and contracts will be unenforceable to the extent that they are found to be inconsistent with the bill(s). The legislation has strong support from the St. Louis Associated Sub-Contractors and is being opposed by the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers, Missouri Growth Association, and the Greater Kansas City Construction Users Council.