Environment in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2261: Modifies the offense of littering

HB 2261 modifies littering laws by adding specific penalties for the intentional release or abandonment of balloons. It directly affects individuals who intentionally release balloons outdoors, particularly those filled with lighter-than-air gas (like helium). The bill sets fines based on balloon quantity: $100-$500 for 10 or fewer balloons on a first offense, increasing to $500-$1,000 for repeat offenses or $500+ for 11+ balloons on a first offense. Exceptions include unintentional releases and scientific/meteorological balloon use. This is a policy change focused solely on balloon littering, not general littering offenses.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2738: Restricts areas relating to mining operations

HB 2738 restricts new mining operations near sensitive locations in Missouri. It prohibits issuing new mining permits within 1,000 feet of any accredited school operating for at least five years, and bans all mining, refining, or manufacturing of specific minerals (like cobalt, lithium, lead, and rare earths) within one mile of wildlife refuges, state parks, water bodies, residences, or schools. The bill exempts existing mines, refineries, or manufacturing facilities already operating as of August 28, 2026. This directly affects mining companies seeking new permits near schools or protected areas, while allowing continued operations at established sites.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Wildlife

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3091: Removes obsolete administrative entities in various state departments

HB 3091 creates a "Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program" through scholarships for students in environmental fields. It establishes a "Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund" to provide financial support to minority and underrepresented students (prioritizing groups identified by the National Academy of Sciences) pursuing degrees in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, environmental chemistry, or environmental law enforcement. The program is administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development with funds from general revenue, federal sources, or private donations. The bill also creates an advisory committee to oversee scholarship selections and requires annual reporting on administrative entities (though this appears disconnected from the scholarship provisions in the provided text).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Revenue Student Financial Aid

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2849: Requires newly purchased or contracted school buses of a school district to be zero-emission vehicles, beginning January 1, 2037

HB 2849 requires Missouri school districts to purchase or contract for zero-emission school buses (electric or fuel-cell) for all new vehicles starting January 1, 2037. This directly affects all public school districts in Missouri, with limited exceptions allowed if a district demonstrates terrain or route constraints prevent feasible use of zero-emission technology, requiring approval from the Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Air Conservation Commission. Small districts (average daily attendance ≤350 students) may request annual extensions until 2047 under the same feasibility conditions. The law mandates a full transition to zero-emission school buses for new purchases, while acknowledging practical limitations through a structured exception process.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Conservation Electric Vehicles

in committee · Missouri · House May 12, 2026

HB 2656: Creates the "Clear Skies Act" prohibiting geoengineering, cloud seeding and other atmospheric interventions, authorizing DNR to investigate violations, and includes penalty provisions

HB 2656, the "Clear Skies Act," prohibits any entity in Missouri from conducting geoengineering, weather modification (like cloud seeding), or atmospheric interventions that release pollutants. It directly affects individuals, corporations, government agencies, universities, and other organizations conducting such activities within the state. The bill authorizes Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to investigate violations via an online reporting system, issue enforceable cease-and-desist orders, and impose felony penalties of up to $100,000 or two years in prison per violation (with separate penalties for each day of noncompliance). The law explicitly excludes pesticide use in farming and ranching operations. The bill is currently in early legislative stages with no votes recorded.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2854: Modifies provisions for energy costs savings contracts

HB 2854 requires government agencies to use competitive bidding for energy-saving building projects and to secure contracts guaranteeing that energy or operational savings will cover the project costs within 15 years, with the provider reimbursing any shortfall annually. Eligible projects include insulation, energy-efficient lighting, HVAC upgrades, and other defined measures that reduce energy consumption or operating costs. The bill exempts certain educational not-for-profits and ensures existing construction procurement rules remain in effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement Energy Efficiency

introduced · Missouri · House Nov 25, 2025

HB 6: Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Conservation

HB 6 is a funding bill that allocates $24.4 million for Missouri's Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Conservation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It covers operational expenses, staff salaries, equipment, and maintenance projects for state buildings and facilities under these departments. The bill specifies exact funding amounts from multiple state funds (like General Revenue and Agriculture Protection Fund) to cover salaries, equipment, and one-time capital improvements. It does not create new policies but ensures these departments have budgeted resources for their existing programs and infrastructure needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Conservation

signed · Missouri · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2019: Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the several departments and offices of state government

HB 2019 is the 2026-2027 state budget bill allocating $94.7 million in funding for specific Missouri state agency projects. It directly affects the Department of Natural Resources (funding $6.75 million for park infrastructure and historic properties), the Department of Conservation ($40.2 million for land acquisition and wildlife projects), the Missouri State Highway Patrol ($17.6 million for facility upgrades), the National Guard ($35 million for facilities), and the Department of Social Services ($680,040 for Camp Avery improvements). The bill provides concrete funding for capital improvements, maintenance, and construction projects as described in the appropriations sections, with all funds designated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. This is a procedural budget bill, not a policy change, solely authorizing state spending for existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife Roads & Highways

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2844: Establishes the" Paraquat Ban and Environmental Research Act of 2026"

HB 2844 bans the use of paraquat (a herbicide) in the state starting January 1, 2027, directly affecting farmers, agricultural businesses, and distributors who currently use or sell it. The bill requires all such entities to submit detailed usage reports by December 31, 2026, including quantities, locations, and crop types, with the department publishing these reports publicly by March 2027. It allows limited paraquat use only for approved research under strict safety protocols, enforced by the Department of Agriculture. Violations carry fines up to $500 per offense, with enforcement handled by the department and attorney general.

Topics ✓ Environment

Tags Agriculture

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2729: Modifies provisions for renewable energy resources

HB 2729 requires Missouri electric utilities to generate or purchase increasing amounts of electricity from renewable sources, starting at 15% by 2026 and reaching 100% by 2061. It mandates that at least 2% of this renewable energy must come from solar power, and utilities can meet requirements by buying renewable energy credits (RECs) from in-state generation. The bill also creates an exemption for large commercial "accelerated renewable buyers" (customers with over 80 average megawatts of load) who directly contract for renewable energy, allowing them to exclude that energy from utility calculations and avoid compliance costs. This directly affects all Missouri electric utilities and large commercial energy buyers, with phased targets extending through 2061.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

All environment bills