HB 2397 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies requirements for a dissolution of a public water supply district

HB 2397 modifies the process for dissolving a public water supply district in Missouri. It requires a petition signed by at least one-fifth of registered voters (or 50 voters, whichever is fewer) per subdistrict, including a detailed debt payment plan and proof of an available alternative water supplier. The circuit court must hold a hearing after public notice, and dissolution requires voter approval by a two-thirds majority (or a lower four-sevenths majority if the board agrees). The court must ensure all district debts are paid before dissolution, with leftover funds applied to property taxes or school district payments. This bill directly affects residents and property owners within districts seeking to dissolve their water supply services.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Dec 12, 2025 Signed Jul 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Substitute (Senate Floor Substitute) Perfected · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was completely rewritten to shift its focus from authorizing local fees for water line repairs to establishing a legal process for dissolving public water supply districts. The original text allowed municipalities to charge residents for water line maintenance, while the new text outlines how citizens can petition a court to close a water district if it is no longer in the public interest.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from a financial regulation regarding water line fees to a procedural law governing the dissolution of public water supply districts.
SCOPE

Removed all provisions allowing cities and districts to levy fees on residential properties for water service line repairs and replacements.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new process requiring a petition signed by at least one-fifth of registered voters from each subdistrict to initiate district dissolution.

Added a requirement that petitioners file a fifty-dollar cash deposit with the court to advance the costs of the dissolution proceeding.

Added a condition that petitioners must prove an agreement exists to sell the district's assets and pay all debts before the petition can be granted.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions allowing any voter or landowner to file exceptions to the dissolution and requiring the district to oppose the petition if it believes dissolution is not in the public interest.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
44
Key actions
13
Committee
12
Amendments
2
Jul 9, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor (G)
lower
May 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 127 NOES: 17 PRESENT: 0
lower
May 15, 2026
Introduced
House Adopts (H) - SS, as amended
lower
May 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
May 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
May 14, 2026
Committee
Referred: Fiscal Review(H)
lower
May 14, 2026
Introduced
Reported to the House with... (H) - SS, as amended
lower
May 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Read and Passed with Amendments (S) - SA 1 - AYES: 33 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
upper
May 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
SS Adopted (S)
upper
May 14, 2026
Introduced
SS Offered
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass (S)
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Voted Do Pass (S)
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Second read and referred: Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment(S)
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 130 NOES: 15 PRESENT: 1
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 19 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Committee
Referred: Utilities(H)
lower
Dec 12, 2025
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bob Bromley
Bob Bromley
RRepublican
MO
162