Representative Veidt presents bill to authorize governor to convey multiple state properties, including Donovan school parcel and Jefferson City site

Representative Veidt told the Committee on Corrections & Public Institutions that Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 937 would authorize the governor to transfer a group of state-owned properties rather than requiring separate conveyance bills for each parcel.

“Keep in mind, we are not selling this property. We're giving the governor the authority to transfer it,” Representative Veidt said, explaining the measure consolidates multiple conveyances so the governor can act when suitable offers appear.

The bill lists roughly a dozen properties and a committee substitute is expected to add about seven more, Veidt said. Several of the parcels are vacant properties the state continues to maintain; some are Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) schools that are closing at the end of the calendar year.

Hannah Swan of the Office of Administration testified in support, saying the state incurs maintenance costs for idle properties and that conveying them can reduce those costs. “A lot of our properties, we post on gov deals to allow different individuals the opportunity,” Swan said, and estimated the savings from vacated schools at about $100,000–$130,000 per year.

Committee members pressed for more detail on specific parcels and how conveyances would be handled. Representative Lucas asked why the bill specifies each property; Veidt said consolidating them avoids multiple small bills. Representative Elliott confirmed an amendment will specify conveyance of parcel number 6 to the Donovan School District, which was the stated intent though the language had not yet been included.

Members raised questions about parcels labeled “indeterminate” in descriptions. OA staff said that generally denotes very small land amounts rather than large tracts. Representative Hovis also asked about Property 13, a parking-lot parcel in Jefferson City near the Truman Building, noting the bill lists an estimated value of $207,000; OA staff said that parcel had been added by the city and that a separate conveyance bill already passed the House but no consummated deal exists under this measure.

Representative Bush asked where anticipated maintenance savings appear in the fiscal note; Swan replied that not all listed parcels are maintained by OA (some are MoDOT or higher-education properties) but reiterated the estimated $100,000–$130,000 annual savings for vacated schools.

City Engineer David Bangi of Jefferson City described how Section 13 of the bill would facilitate a High Street Viaduct project. Bangi said a hole in the bridge recently closed the roadway and the redesign would shorten the structure, add pedestrian underpasses and permit a roundabout connection between Missouri Boulevard and High Street. He estimated the project could eliminate roughly 20–30 parking spaces but said the city is exploring mitigation and has applied for a federal BUILD grant to help fund replacement.

OA and city witnesses repeatedly said that once a conveyance bill is passed and signed by the governor, Facilities Management would coordinate with local officials, post properties for sale on govdeals where appropriate and seek community input from prospective buyers about intended uses.

The committee recorded no witnesses in opposition and took no vote on the measure. The Committee on Corrections & Public Institutions adjourned after the hearing; committee members requested maps, parcel lists and additional fiscal detail before taking further action.