Missouri House Bill HB2508

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/22
• Refer: 5/13/22

Caption

Transfers the State Historic Preservation Office from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Economic Development

Impact

By transitioning the State Historic Preservation Office under the Economic Development Department, the bill seeks to enhance support for rehabilitation projects, which can provide significant tax credits. These credits play a role in incentivizing property owners to invest in the preservation of historic structures, thereby potentially increasing property values and improving local neighborhoods. However, this could also raise concerns around the focus on economic returns over cultural and historical values, emphasizing efficiency over the intrinsic significance of preservation efforts.

Summary

House Bill 2508 aims to transfer the oversight and management of the State Historic Preservation Office from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Economic Development. This legislative change is designed to streamline the processes related to historic preservation and rehabilitation within the state, aligning resources and efforts under an economic development framework that could enhance the efficiency of tax credit programs for rehabilitating historic properties. The bill reflects a growing recognition of the economic potential of historic preservation as a driver for local economic development.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB2508 involve the implications of centralizing historic preservation efforts within an economic-focused department. Opponents may argue that this prioritization could lead to a diminished commitment to the nuanced needs of historic preservation, which often requires a more culturally-sensitive approach than purely economic considerations allow. Critics worry that the push for rehabilitation could prioritize profitability over contextual heritage conservation, thereby potentially sacrificing historical integrity.