Senate restores tourism supplemental revenue fund, strips 'special' label

Senator from Stone moved the Senate substitute for Senate Bill 1,000 to put the tourism supplemental revenue fund back into statute, saying the change corrects an unintended technical sunset and will preserve current funding for the Missouri Division of Tourism and the Missouri Film Office. “This truly is a simple bill,” the senator said, arguing the measure would not alter existing operations but would restore the fund’s statutory footing so tourism marketing and film office programs can continue.

The discussion focused on mechanics and wording. Senators asked whether the legislation creates a new fund or merely reestablishes an existing one, what real-world sources might replenish the account beyond general revenue transfers, and whether naming specific committees for annual presentations risks becoming outdated. The sponsor said the intent is cleanup: the formula and fund were unintentionally sunset and the bill simply puts the fund back into statute while removing language—such as references to SIC codes—no longer used.

Senator Nirenburn offered an amendment to strike the word “special” from the fund name, arguing that the modifier is unnecessary and that statute should remain uniform. After brief colloquy, the Senate adopted Senate Amendment 1 to remove “special” by voice vote. The substitute was adopted, perfected and ordered printed; the sponsor asked that the bill be placed on the informal calendar for later floor action.

Why it matters: Tourism investments and marketing are handled through the fund this measure restores; putting the fund back in statute removes uncertainty about the legal basis for transfers that support tourism operations statewide. The bill’s sponsor and supporters described the change as corrective rather than policy-altering.

The Senate adopted the amendment and approved the substitute; SB1000 was perfected and ordered printed and placed on the informal calendar for further action.