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Lee's Summit relations committee hears lobbyist update, considers adding federal lobbying support
Summary
City lobbyist John Hensley reported "1,400 plus bills filed so far," flagged bills to watch including proposals to require municipalities and MoDOT to reimburse telecoms for utility relocations, and discussed expanding the existing contract to include targeted federal lobbying; staff will return with fee and scope recommendations.
Lee's Summit's Legislative & Intergovernmental Relations Committee heard a state lobbyist briefing and discussed whether to add federal-level lobbying to the city's current agreement.
John Hensley of Versa Governmental Strategies told the committee the city's bill tracker shows "1,400 plus bills filed so far," and highlighted topics likely to draw activity in the coming session, including tax changes, data centers and AI, workforce housing, short-term rentals and building-permit provisions. Hensley singled out recurring legislation that would require municipalities and MoDOT to reimburse nonregulated utilities — such as telecommunications companies — for costs of relocating facilities during road work as an item the city will watch closely.
Council members asked for more detail on two recurring proposal areas: bills that would move municipal elections to the November general-election date and bills that would impose time limits after which a building permit could be deemed issued. Council Member Shields said the body has historically favored keeping a separate municipal election date and asked staff to keep that priority under review.
The committee also discussed expanding the city's current state lobbying agreement to include federal representation. Hensley said Versa has expanded operations to the federal level and can represent Lee's Summit in Washington, D.C., while bringing on specialist lobbyists for focused, time-limited efforts such as road funding. "Our role would be general representation, then bringing on a specialist when the time is right," Hensley said.
Committee members asked staff and the lobbyist to draft a formal proposal and fee structure showing how federal services could be added, including whether that could be done as an addendum to the existing contract. Staff noted the current contract runs through next December and that the city typically begins a new bid process the summer before a contract end date; staff said they will check procurement policy provisions that could allow a sole-source addendum for the remainder of the contract year.
Votes at a glance: The committee approved the meeting agenda and, by separate roll call, approved the Nov. 20, 2025 Legislative & Intergovernmental Relations Committee action letter. Both procedural items passed unanimously.
