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Lee's Summit lobbyists report progress on roadway conveyance and $3.5 million in public-safety funding
Summary
Versa Governmental Strategies told the committee that land-conveyance language tied to the I‑291/US‑50 interchange is advancing in both chambers and that $3.5 million for interoperable systems at the city's joint operations center currently sits in House Bill 8; a proposed telecom relocation reimbursement bill was defeated in the House.
Jefferson City lobbyists briefed Lee's Summit officials on April 14, saying a land-conveyance bill tied to the I‑291/US‑50 interchange is moving and that state budget language currently holds $3.5 million intended for the city's joint operations center.
John Hensley, a lobbyist with Versa Governmental Strategies, told the Legislative & Intergovernmental Relations Committee that several bills carry Lee's Summit's conveyance language and that the city's priority has a pathway in both chambers. "We're doing everything we can to make that happen," Hensley said.
The midpoint update matters because the conveyance would clear land-title or ownership issues needed for the road interchange project around I‑291 and U.S. 50, a priority the city has been pursuing with state lawmakers and MoDOT. Hensley and Zach Pollock, also of Versa, said House Bill 105 currently is the one "farthest along" and has been referred to the Senate Committee on General Laws; Representative-filed bills, and Senator-filed SB247, were also under watch. Pollock said the teams were working to attach Lee's Summit language to moving bills so at least one vehicle could pass this session.
On funding, Pollock described appropriations that would affect the city's joint operations center. "Not only did the speaker get that $2,000,000 for the interoperable system for the joint operations center. There is actually another 1.5 sitting in House Bill 8 right next to that 2,000,000," Pollock said. "So it's 3.5 total currently sitting in House Bill 8." He and Hensley said some prior-year reappropriations had been drawn down and that staff would continue to track the line items as the bills move through House and Senate budget processes.
The lobbyists also summarized other items affecting municipalities. They reported that House Bill 661, which would have required municipalities, counties and MoDOT to reimburse non-rate-regulated telecommunications companies for relocation costs during road projects, failed to pass third reading in the House and is effectively dead for now. Hensley said the bill faced strong support from cable and telecom companies but was defeated on the House floor.
Committee members asked about paid-time-off legislation discussed in Jefferson City that could affect employers. The lobbyists said the measure had moved through the House and was on the Senate calendar; they and council members said their understanding was municipalities would be exempt but that staff would follow up. "I think I'm correct by saying it excludes municipalities," Pollock said; he and Hensley said they would send a clarification by email.
The committee voted on routine items before and after the briefing: the agenda for the April 14 meeting and the March 10 action letter were both approved by roll call. The meeting closed with council discussion of continuing to use lobbyists for state and federal advocacy and a request for staff to prepare a presentation on federal lobbying options.
By the end of the session, Hensley and Pollock said they would continue amendment tracking and coordination with lawmakers and MoDOT to try to secure the conveyance and appropriations the city has prioritized.
