Modifies provisions relating to port authorities

Current law prohibits a city from creating a port authority if the city is located within a county that has created a port authority which has received approval as a political subdivision of this state. This act provided that this shall not be construed as invalidating any port authority created by a city and approved as a political subdivision prior to the creation of a port authority by a county. (Section 68.010.3)

If a port authority whose port district includes Kansas City shall purchase or lease real property anywhere in such counties, the real property shall be deemed included within the port district. (Section 68.015.1).

Powers of port authorities are also modified as specified in the act, including the grant of powers for the establishment of port rangers licensed as peace officer, and contracting with other port authorities. (Section 68.025).

The act provides that failure of a port authority to include a statement that the state is not liable on bonds of a port authority as required by law shall not invalidate the bonds or render the state liable on the bonds. (Section 68.040).

Furthermore, the act modifies provisions regarding the terms of port authority commissioners and their removal from office, as well as determination of commissioners' qualifications, salaries, powers, and duties if they are not determined by the political subdivision establishing the port authority. The political subdivision establishing the port authority shall also provide for the filing of annual reports by the board of port authority commissioners, and for periodic independent audits of the port authority's accounts. (Section 68.045).

The act modifies port authorities' contracting processes for work, equipment, and supplies and materials, and provides that port authorities may utilize additional procurement measures authorized for other political subdivisions, as described in the act. (Section 68.055).

Under the act, port authority expenditures over $50,000, rather than over $25,000, including professional services contracts, shall be competitively procured. The act requires at least 20 days notice of the letting of the contract, with publication as described in the act. Port authorities shall have the authority to reject any and all bids, and readvertise the work or proposed purchase. (Section 68.057).

The act provides that political subdivisions with existing port authorities can not form regional port authorities themselves, but that the boards of existing port authorities may apply to the Highways and Transportation Commission for approval of a regional port authority, as detailed in the act. (Section 68.060).

The definition of "new job" in the Advanced Industrial Manufacturing Zones Act is modified to include any job determined by the Department of Economic Development to be eligible for, and approved for, retention of withholding tax under the Missouri Works Program, provided that the establishment of the AIM zone immediately follows the end of the period of benefits under the Missouri Works Program. (Section 68.075).

Under the act, certain records submitted to a port authority may be deemed closed records, and disclosure to a port authority shall not affect records' status as closed. (Section 68.085).

The act modifies the threshold for consent to the creation of a port improvement district, from 60% per capita to 50% per capita, of the owners of all real property within the boundaries of the proposed port improvement district. (Section 68.205).

Lastly, the act provides that a petition to the circuit court shall not be required for creation of a port improvement district within port district boundaries or for substantial changes, as defined by law, to a port improvement district in certain circumstances. (Section 68.253).

This act is similar to SCS/HCS/HB 1346 (2025) and SCS/SB 715 (2025) and identical to HCS/HB 2693 (2026). TAYLOR MIDDLETON