Section 620.6009

Title XL ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS

Chapter 620

Effective - 28 Aug 2026, see footnote   

  620.6009.  Rural Missouri development fund, purpose, contributions to — use of moneys — rules. — 1.  There is hereby established the "Rural Missouri Development Fund", to be administered by the department, for the purpose of supporting economic development, infrastructure, housing, workforce development, and related community-building activities in rural and smaller communities throughout the state.

  2.  (1)  For purposes of this section, a "contributing city" means a city that has elected, through its executive branch, to create and seek certification of a Missouri innovation zone under sections 620.6000 to 620.6033, and that has agreed, as a condition of certification and participation in the program, to contribute a portion of net-new state sales tax revenue generated within such certified Missouri innovation zone under section 620.6012 to the rural Missouri development fund in accordance with this section, provided that such city:

  (a)  Has a certified Missouri innovation zone under sections 620.6000 to 620.6033; and

  (b)  Has a total certified assessed valuation of taxable real property that ranks within the highest five percent of all cities statewide, as most recently determined by the Missouri state tax commission.

  (2)  A city that does not meet both criteria in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be required to contribute to the rural Missouri development fund.

  3.  (1)  Each contributing city shall annually contribute to the rural Missouri development fund an amount equal to ten percent of net-new state sales tax revenue retained for the applicable innovation zone public safety fund under section 620.6012.

  (2)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the contribution of any local sales tax, local property tax, or any other local revenue source.

  4.  (1)  Moneys in the rural Missouri development fund shall be awarded to:

  (a)  Rural cities;

  (b)  Smaller cities not meeting the definition of a contributing city; or

  (c)  Local or regional development organizations, community development corporations, or similar entities applying on behalf of or in coordination with such rural or smaller municipalities.

  (2)  Receipt of funds under this section shall not require a city to establish a Missouri innovation zone.

  5.  Funds awarded under this section shall be used for the following purposes including, but not limited to:

  (1)  Rural education;

  (2)  Public infrastructure improvements or public safety;

  (3)  Housing development, rehabilitation, or stabilization;

  (4)  Workforce development or training;

  (5)  Health care or community service facilities; and

  (6)  Other economic purposes consistent with the intent of sections 620.6000 to 620.6033.

  6.  (1)  No more than twenty percent of the total funds available for award from the rural Missouri development fund in any fiscal year shall be awarded to or for the benefit of any single city or other eligible applicant.

  (2)  Applications submitted on behalf of the same city shall be aggregated for purposes of applying the limitation in subdivision (1) of this subsection.

  (3)  Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection to the contrary, if funds remain unobligated in the rural Missouri development fund after completion of the department's initial application review and award process for a fiscal year, the department may award such remaining funds without regard to the limitation set forth in subdivision (1) of this section.

  7.  (1)  The department shall administer the rural Missouri development fund and shall establish an application process for eligible recipients.

  (2)  In administering the fund, the department shall consider:

  (a)  Project readiness;

  (b)  Demonstrated community need;

  (c)  Alignment with the purposes of this section; and

  (d)  Written input from contributing cities.

  (3)  The department shall annually submit to the budget committee of the house of representatives a report indicating the process used to determine disbursements of moneys from the fund, including the amount of each award, the identity of each awardee, and the purpose of each award.  Any disbursement from the fund shall be subject to appropriation, but the selection of eligible recipients and award amounts shall be made by the department in accordance with this section.

  8.  The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement and administer this section.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.

  9.  The provisions of this section are severable.  If any provisions of this section or the application thereof is held invalid, unconstitutional, or otherwise unenforceable, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of sections 620.6000 to 620.6033 which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this section are declared to be severable.

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(L. 2026 H.B. 3231 & 2531)