Designates the Kansas City Royals as the official professional baseball team of the state of Missouri
Summary
HB6 amends Missouri law by adding a new section to Chapter 10 that formally designates the Kansas City Royals as the official professional baseball team of the state of Missouri. The bill also states that any other professional baseball team currently in Missouri, or that may locate in the state in the future, will be designated as a "subpar professional baseball team." The measure is largely symbolic and does not create a regulatory program, funding mechanism, or enforcement scheme.
In practical terms, the bill would place the Kansas City Royals into state law as Missouri’s official professional baseball team and create a disparaging statutory label for other professional baseball teams in the state. The bill would amend the Missouri Revised Statutes by adding section 10.271 to Chapter 10, which governs state symbols and related designations.
Impact
HB6 would change Missouri statutes by adding a new official state designation for the Kansas City Royals and by inserting a pejorative classification for other professional baseball teams in Missouri. The bill would not appear to impose duties on state agencies or private parties beyond the symbolic legal recognition itself, but it would codify a preference for one team over others in state law.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears lighthearted and promotional in tone, suggesting a symbolic endorsement of the Kansas City Royals rather than a substantive policy change.
Contention
The main point of contention inherent in the bill is its dismissive treatment of any other professional baseball team in Missouri, which the bill labels as a "subpar professional baseball team." That language could be viewed as unnecessary, partisan, or insulting to other teams and their supporters, even though no formal objections or recorded opposition are included in the provided context. The designation of one team as the state’s official team may also be seen as favoring Kansas City over other Missouri communities.