HB 1295 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Creates provisions relating to water exportation outside the state

HB 1295 requires most entities wanting to export Missouri water outside the state to obtain a permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, reviewed by the Missouri Water Resources Commission. It exempts short-distance exports (within 30 miles of the border), bottled water, and ice. The permit process ensures exported water volumes won’t harm Missouri’s current or future water needs, prioritizes local use, and includes public comment periods and commission hearings. Applicants must prove water availability, legitimate beneficial use, and that export is necessary, with annual reporting required for permit holders.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Last action Apr 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → House Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to simplify the water export permit framework by reducing it from two sections to one, changing the regulatory oversight from the Missouri Water Resources Commission to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission, and adding a new exemption for water withdrawn via pipeline facilities within 30 miles of the state border. These changes streamline the permitting process and adjust oversight to align with existing state soil and water district structures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced from two new sections to one, and the regulatory authority was shifted from the Missouri Water Resources Commission to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'Commission' from the Missouri Water Resources Commission to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission established under section 278.080.

Added a new definition for 'Pipeline facility' to clarify what infrastructure is covered under the new pipeline exemption.

SCOPE

Reduced the bill from adding two new sections (640.406 and 640.407) to adding only one new section (640.406).

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection requiring annual reporting of water use volumes, withdrawal rates, and end use for water withdrawn via pipeline facilities within 30 miles of the state border.

Modified the reporting requirement for exempt persons to include public availability of reports on the department's website.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 10 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 16 NOES: 3 PRESENT: 0

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Committee

Referred: Agriculture(H)

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Read First Time (H)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor