SB 849 would pause the construction of new solar energy projects statewide. The bill, currently pending review by the Senate Energy Committee, does not specify exemptions or duration. It directly affects solar developers and project builders by halting new construction permits. This is a procedural bill that has not yet been enacted into law.
SB 953 creates a "Natural Resources Protection Fund" to manage environmental fees, including a new "Missouri Air Emission Reduction Fund" for emissions inspection fees. It changes rules so unspent funds won’t revert to general revenue after 2027 (previously they did), and requires 5% of electric power tax revenue to fund air pollution programs. The Department of Natural Resources will use these funds for environmental programs, while emissions inspection stations must collect and remit fees to the state treasurer. The bill directly affects state environmental agencies, inspection stations, and public programs focused on air/water quality.
HB 2578 modifies Missouri's renewable energy definitions and sets new requirements for electric utilities. It redefines "renewable energy resources" to exclude nuclear energy (previously included under "alternative energy resources") and limits hydropower to small-scale systems (≤10MW without new water projects). The bill establishes a phased renewable energy portfolio standard requiring utilities to supply 2% (2011-2013), 5% (2014-2017), 10% (2018-2020), and 15% (2021+) of electricity from renewable sources, with at least 2% from solar. Utilities can meet requirements by purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) or contracting directly with "accelerated renewable buyers" for certain projects.
HB 1884 requires developers, owners, or operators of wind energy conversion systems (facilities with five or more 50-foot-tall turbines or taller) in Missouri to install FAA-approved light-mitigating technology systems to reduce aviation obstruction lighting impacts. New projects must comply after August 28, 2026, while existing systems must install by August 28, 2034, with both having 24 months after FAA approval to complete installation. Non-compliance incurs daily fines of $5,000 per turbine until installation is complete. The bill places all installation costs and compliance responsibilities on the wind energy facility operators.
HB 1796 repeals existing Missouri property rights laws and replaces them with new provisions focused on building codes and homeowner access to permits. It prohibits local governments (counties, municipalities, fire districts) from requiring one- or two-family homes, condos, or townhouses to meet specific "green" or energy efficiency standards beyond the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The bill also creates the "Building Permit Reform Act," exempting owner-occupants of single-family homes from needing licenses or certifications to perform their own renovations, with a potential $5,000 fee if the property is sold within one year. Violating these restrictions makes the local ordinance null and void.
HB 2607 modifies Missouri's property tax assessment rules by changing how real and personal property is valued and taxed. It sets specific assessment percentages: 19% for residential property (subclass 1), 12% for commercial property (subclass 2), and 32% for other real property (subclass 3), while lowering rates for certain items like solar equipment (5%) and historic vehicles (5%). The bill includes special rules for property near commercial airports, reducing assessments by costs paid by non-government parties for improvements after 2008, and requires counties to submit annual assessment maintenance plans for approval. These changes directly affect property owners, local assessors, and counties by altering tax calculations and administrative processes for property valuation.
HB 2384 prohibits counties and municipalities from requiring building practices that threaten affordability for residential and commercial properties. Specifically, it bans local governments from mandating sustainable, energy-efficient, or "green" building standards exceeding the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for single- or two-family homes, condos, townhouses, apartments, or commercial buildings. The bill also requires local governments to approve or deny building permit requests within 30 days, with automatic approval if no response is given, and sets specific safety conditions for single-exit residential buildings. This directly affects developers, builders, and homeowners seeking construction or renovation approvals, while limiting local code enforcement authority.
HB 2435 modifies homeowners' association (HOA) rules to allow property owners to display political signs, install solar panels, display sale signs, and keep up to six chickens on lots of at least 0.2 acres. The bill prohibits HOAs from banning these activities through deed restrictions, though associations may set reasonable rules about sign size, placement, or chicken coop locations. HOAs can remove signs or chickens only for safety violations, ordinance breaches, or if attached materials violate rules, after providing written notice with a 3-day grace period. The bill applies to residential properties and does not affect condominium or cooperative associations. It is currently pending in the legislature.
HB 2609 requires local governments (like cities or counties) to cover all costs for installing, maintaining, and operating electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at businesses when they mandate such stations. It limits requirements to no more than five stations per parking lot with over 30 spaces and exempts churches and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations from these rules. The bill does not prevent businesses or property owners from voluntarily paying for EV charging stations themselves. This policy directly affects local governments that adopt EV station requirements and businesses with qualifying parking lots.
HB 2598 establishes the Missouri Advanced Nuclear Energy Office and a dedicated fund to provide grants for eligible nuclear energy projects in the state. The bill creates a new office within the Department of Natural Resources to administer grants covering pre-construction costs like site planning, engineering, and licensing fees for projects combining advanced nuclear reactors (including small modular reactors) with natural gas facilities. Grants are capped at $100 million per project, require that natural gas electricity sales fund nuclear project costs until commissioning, and prohibit use for projects recovering costs through utility rates. The office must ensure transparent grant allocation, track project performance, and maintain confidentiality of applicant information.
