To the constituents of the 126th district,
A lot of bills are moving through the process now as we enter the month of March! We heard bills on the state of Missouri appointing the police board for the city of St. Louis. We passed out a bill on foreign ownership of land in Missouri. Also passed a bill for a new schedule of depreciation for vehicles on your personal property tax that would depreciate them out after 15 years, so citizens would no longer have to pay every year on their older vehicles.
I had several constituents from the district stop by, and this is always enjoyable! Gary Noakes was up for Farm Bureau meetings, and Sherwood Highs School Principal Brian Himes stopped in for a visit. Allison Petry stopped by with a classmate and instructor from Missouri State and talked about their Occupational Therapy field. Charlie Carr and Noel job shadowed with me on Wednesday from Appleton City Schools.
Lawmakers approve legislation to address violent crime in St. Louis
(HBs 702, 53, 213, 216, 306, and 359)
In an effort to address the violent crime that plagued St. Louis, members of the Missouri House gave first round approval to legislation that would put the city’s police force under control of a state-appointed board of police commissioners. With a voice vote, the House gave initial approval to HBs 702, 53,213, 216, 306, and 359.
For more than 150 years the St. Louis Police Department was under the control of the state. However, in 2012 voters approved a ballot measure that put the department under the control of the city beginning in 2013. Supporters say it is necessary because the problem of violent crime has become worse under city control.
Missouri House approves legislation limiting foreign ownership of farmland
(HBs 903, 465, 430, and 499)
Members of the Missouri House this week approved a critical national security bill that would protect fair competition and limit foreign ownership of Missouri farmland by defined enemies of the United States of America. By a vote of 130-3, the House approved HBs 903, 465, 430, and 499 and sent the legislation to the Senate.
The bill sponsor said, “This legislation puts Missouri and Missourians first by balancing the concept of protecting important investments in our state and protecting our national security interests from our enemies.” The bill approved by the House would limit foreign ownership of Missouri farmland to 0.5 percent, from the current restriction in statute of one percent. The legislation would require foreign entities to report sales, acquisitions, or transfers of land to the Missouri Attorney General and Secretary of State. It would also require a report at sale or transfer of land, every five years thereafter, or if the use of the land changes.
The bill also would prohibit a foreign business from certain countries from purchasing any land in the state. Nations on the “Restrictive Country” list in the bill are defined as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. The bill encourages friends and allies of the United States to continue cooperating with Missouri based companies, especially in agriculture research and development.
House approves legislation to provide property tax relief for vehicle owners (HB 713)
Missourians struggling with higher property tax rates on their vehicles may have some relief in sight under a legislative proposal approved by the Missouri House of Representatives. House members approved HB 713 by a vote of 150-0 and sent the legislation to the Senate for consideration. The bill sponsor said the legislation is “a fix to a real problem in our state.” He noted that in 2021 and 2022 “due to used car values going up, our constituents and citizens had higher tax assessments and therefore paid higher taxes.”
HB 713 would change current state law that requires assessors to determine vehicle values by using the National Automobile Dealers’ Association Official Used Car Guide. The bill would repeal that requirement and instead have assessors use the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for all vehicles for the original value of all motor vehicle assessment valuations. The bill establishes a 15-year depreciation schedule that would be applied to the MSRP to develop the annual and historical valuation guide for all motor vehicles.
I am honored to serve as your Representative in the Missouri House. If at any time, anyone has any questions, concerns or ideas regarding state government, please feel free to contact me at 573-751-5388 or Jim.Kalberloh@house.mo.gov.
State Representative Jim Kalberloh
District 126
