§ 136.450 RSMo — Study commission established, members, vacancies, meetings — duties and authority of commission — interim reports — termination date

1. There is hereby established the "Study Commission on State Tax Policy" which shall be composed of the following members:

(1) The members of the joint committee on tax policy established in section 21.810 ;

(2) The state treasurer;

(3) The state budget director;

(4) The director of the department of revenue, but only if such person has been appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate in accordance with Article IV, Section 51 of the Constitution of Missouri;

(5) Three individuals representing the needs and concerns of individual taxpayers in this state, one of whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority floor leader of the house of representatives, and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority floor leader of the senate;

(6) A certified public accountant, who shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor in consultation with the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants;

(7) An independent tax practitioner, who shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor in consultation with the Missouri Society of Accountants;

(8) An individual with experience operating a business with a headquarters in this state and fewer than fifty employees, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(9) An individual with experience operating a business with a headquarters in this state and at least fifty employees, who shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;

(10) Two individuals with significant experience in state and local taxation, public or private budgeting and finance, or public services delivery, one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives in consultation with the Missouri Association of Counties and the other appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate in consultation with Missouri Municipal League; and

(11) A member of the Missouri Bar with knowledge of the tax laws of this state, including tax administration and compliance, who shall be appointed by the board of governors of the Missouri Bar.

2. Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Any appointed member of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

3. The commission shall meet in the capitol building within ten days after its creation and organize by selecting a chair and vice chair from its members. After its organization, the commission shall adopt an agenda establishing at least five hearing dates. The hearings shall be held in different geographic regions of the state and open to the public. Additional meetings may be scheduled and held as often as the chair deems advisable. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

4. It shall be the duty of the commission:

(1) To make a complete, detailed review and study of the tax structure of the state and its political subdivisions, including tax sources, the impact of taxes, collection procedures, administrative regulations, and all other factors pertinent to the fiscal operation of the state;

(2) To identify the strengths and weaknesses of state tax laws, and develop a broad range of improvements that could be made to modernize the tax system, maximize economic development and growth, and maintain necessary government services at an appropriate level;

(3) To investigate measures and methods to simplify state tax law, improve tax compliance, and reduce administrative costs; and

(4) To examine and study any other aspects of state and local government which may be related to the tax structure of the state.

5. In order to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this section, the commission shall have the authority to:

(1) Consult with public and private universities and academies, public and private organizations, and private citizens in the performance of its duties;

(2) Within the limits of appropriations made for such purpose, employ consultants or others to assist the commission in its work, or contract with public and private entities for analysis and study of current or proposed changes to state and local tax policy; and

(3) Make reasonable requests for staff assistance from the research and appropriations staffs of the house of representatives and senate and the committee on legislative research, as well as the office of administration and the department of revenue.

6. All state agencies and political subdivisions of the state responsible for the administration of tax policies shall cooperate with and assist the commission in the performance of its duties and shall make available all books, records, and information requested, except such books, records, and information as are by law declared confidential in nature, including individually identifiable information regarding a specific taxpayer.

7. The commission may issue interim reports as it deems fit, but it shall provide the governor and the general assembly with reports of its findings and recommendations for legal and administrative changes, along with any proposed legislation the commission recommends for adoption by the general assembly. A preliminary report shall be due by December 31, 2016. A final report shall be due December 31, 2017.

8. The commission shall cease all activities by January 1, 2018. This section shall expire August 28, 2018.