Bill would let local governments use park sales-tax revenue for buyouts, greenways to reduce flood losses
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Summary
House Bill 17-36 would allow cities and counties to use a portion of existing sales-tax park allocations to purchase repetitive-loss properties, demolish structures and convert the land into connected 'blueways' and 'greenways' for stormwater management; sponsors and counties described long-standing flood losses and voluntary buyouts, while committee members pressed on eligibility, prevention of future development and funding scope.
Representative Wellenkamp told the committee that House Bill 17-36 aims to give local governments another tool to reduce repetitive flood losses by enabling use of existing park-dedicated sales-tax revenue to buy, demolish and convert frequently flooded properties to natural stormwater infrastructure. "This bill would allow cities and counties across the state to use part of their sales tax revenue to purchase repetitive loss properties that just continually get flooded again and again to create blue ways and green ways," he said, describing parks as places that can "store water and store risk" without losing recreational value.
Why it matters: The sponsor cited recent statewide disaster impacts and recurring property losses, arguing that converting chronically flooded parcels to natural greenways reduces future damage to homes, infrastructure and local economies. He said repetitive-loss properties cost the state roughly $190 million annually in one category of impacts and noted the state incurred over $6 billion in disaster losses last year in some regions.
Clarifications in hearing: Committee members asked whether purchases would be voluntary and whether the change requires new taxes. Wellenkamp and other speakers clarified that the bill uses existing sales-tax allocations for parks (no tax increase) and that local governments would buy properties voluntarily when they come up for sale rather than relying on eminent domain. The sponsor said the bill intentionally avoids imposing state-level eminent-domain authority and instead permits localities to act within ordinary property-acquisition processes.
Support: Tom Dempsey, a registered lobbyist for Saint Charles County, said the county has about 74 repetitive-loss properties that do not qualify for CDBG buyout funds and that HB 17-36 would help retire those parcels and return them to natural state. Carolyn Niswonger of the Sierra Club again supported the bill, saying it clarifies eligible park uses and can help protect environmental quality while expanding recreation and long-term resilience.
Questions and concerns: Members asked how the bill would prevent future development in designated greenways; sponsors said local governments would designate and cordon off areas so they are not redeveloped. Representative Miller noted language adjustments from the prior session intended to ensure flood-mitigation work also serves park purposes so park funds are not stripped from recreation.
Procedure and next steps: The committee closed public testimony and adjourned without taking a vote. The bill was discussed at length and remains pending further committee action.
Sources and provenance: Testimony and exchanges recorded in the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee hearing on HB 17-36.