House raises state matching to support regional planning commissions with HB 2096
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Summary
HB 2096 increases state matching funds for Missouri Regional Planning Commissions (doubling small-commission matches and increasing metro matches, with indexing to CPI) and was enacted on third reading (104–37).
The House passed House Bill 2096 to increase state matching funds for Missouri Regional Planning Commissions, a measure supporters said will help counties that cannot staff planning and economic development work on their own. Representative from Nottoway (transcript label 40) told the chamber the bill doubles matching amounts from $25,000 to $50,000 for smaller commissions and from $65,000 to $130,000 for two metro commissions; matches remain conditional on local matches.
Lawmakers said the change updates a figure that had not kept pace with costs and that indexing the amount to the consumer price index will reduce the need for repeated legislative fixes. Members who served on committees where commissions were consulted said the commissions and affected local governments were supportive. The House third-read and passed the measure by a recorded vote of 104 yes to 37 no.
The bill also updates the statewide list of recognized regional planning commissions. By increasing the per‑commission state match, supporters said the bill will strengthen local planning capacity and leverage local dollars for infrastructure and development projects.
