Board Bill 31 creates Tornado Relief and Recovery Fund, passes committee with clawback and fast‑track amendments

Summary

The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee voted to advance Board Bill 31, which would place roughly $30 million in interest from the Rams settlement into a Tornado Relief and Recovery Fund. The bill passed with governance and eligibility amendments; sponsors and public commenters urged further funding for North and West St. Louis.

President Green opened the committee hearing on Board Bill 31, telling members the bill would direct interest earned on the Rams settlement to a new Tornado Relief and Recovery Fund to support residents recovering from the May 16 storm. The ordinance as presented directs the Comptroller to establish the fund, allows the fund to accept public and private contributions, and assigns administration to the mayor's office with monthly reporting to the Board's budget committee.

The bill covers immediate needs including home repair, temporary housing, storage for displaced residents and belongings, assistance with insurance deductibles and legal aid, repairs to critical infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, lighting), hazardous tree removal, nonprofit staffing and shelter operations, and matching funds for state and federal disaster grants. President Green said the city has "a little over $30,000,000 in interest that has been generated" and described the funding as "a start, not the end." She said the fund is designed to be flexible so the mayor's office can respond as state and federal resources become clearer.

The committee adopted three amendments before…

Board Bill 31 creates Tornado Relief and Recovery Fund, passes committee with clawback and fast‑track amendments

Summary

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