HB 3337 creates a state tax credit for Missouri homeowners who install qualifying solar energy systems, such as solar panels and inverters, that also qualify for the federal tax credit. It allows eligible homeowners to claim a credit equal to 30% of their solar installation costs from 2027-2032, increasing to 35% in 2033 and 40% from 2034 onward. The credit is refundable (meaning it can generate a cash refund if it exceeds tax liability) but cannot be sold or transferred. The program expires on December 31, 2038, unless the Missouri legislature reauthorizes it.
HB 3193 phases out single-use plastic products at Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites by requiring park concessionaires (like food vendors and shops) to stop selling specific items by 2028. Beginning January 1, 2028, vendors cannot sell single-use plastic bags, bottled water, or polystyrene foam containers (such as cups and food trays), though medical packaging and emergency use are exempt. The bill mandates concession contracts to prioritize non-plastic alternatives starting in 2027, provided they meet health and safety standards. It explicitly excludes items like produce bags, prescription containers, and medical packaging from the ban.
HB 2102 allows cities and counties in Missouri to form "neighborhood improvement districts" to fund street lighting in residential areas. These districts can cover installation, maintenance, and electricity costs for LED or equivalent efficient street lights through special assessments on properties within the district or by having electric suppliers bill residents directly. The state creates a dedicated fund to provide matching grants (with the state covering two-thirds of costs up to $2,000 per light) to help local governments implement these projects. Districts are limited to 20 years with possible 20-year extensions, and all funds must be used solely for street lighting improvements as defined in the bill.
HB 2807 requires Missouri electric utilities to source increasing percentages of electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar, starting at 2% in 2011 and rising to 15% by 2025, with at least 2% specifically from solar. It creates an exemption for large commercial customers (over 80MW load) who purchase renewable energy and retire certificates, allowing them to avoid utility compliance costs. The bill establishes rules for tracking renewable energy certificates (RECs) and limits annual rate increases from compliance costs to 1%. Utilities must meet these requirements for all power sold to Missouri consumers, including purchased electricity.
SB 838 modifies Missouri's renewable energy standard by establishing phased requirements for electric utilities: 2% renewable energy by 2013, increasing to 5% by 2017, 10% by 2020, and 7.5% annually starting in 2021. At least 2% of each utility's requirement must come from solar energy. The bill also creates an "accelerated renewable buyer" program for large commercial customers (over 80 average megawatts) that contract directly for renewable energy, allowing them to exclude that energy from utility compliance calculations and receive exemptions from renewable energy compliance costs. These changes directly affect Missouri's electric utilities and qualifying large commercial energy buyers.
HB 1900 establishes the "Net Metering and Easy Connection Act" in Missouri, directly affecting homeowners and small businesses installing renewable energy systems (like rooftop solar) under 100 kilowatts. The bill requires electricity suppliers to offer net metering on a first-come, first-served basis until systems reach 5% of the supplier's annual peak electricity demand. It also limits new applications each year to no more than 1% of the previous year's peak demand to prevent sudden system overload. This policy change clarifies the process for small-scale renewable energy users to connect to the grid and receive credit for excess power they generate.
This bill exempts small, portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts that plug into standard outlets) from most public utility regulations. It requires electricity providers to offer net metering for these devices, allowing homeowners to receive credits for excess energy sent back to the grid, with credits applied to future bills and expiring after 12 months. The law specifically targets moveable units certified by safety labs like UL, not fixed rooftop systems. It does not change existing rules for larger solar installations or utility-scale projects.
HB 1736 modifies county sales tax rules for park funds to allow stormwater management projects within parks. It permits counties to use 50% of their allocated tax revenue for stormwater projects that either acquire park land/greenways or enhance natural park features without reducing park benefits. This affects counties and municipalities receiving these funds, which must still align with park purposes. The bill expands existing park funding uses without changing overall tax allocation percentages.
HB 1731 creates a state-regulated rebate program for homeowners and businesses installing solar energy systems paired with energy storage. It requires electrical corporations to offer per-watt rebates (ranging from $2.00 to $0.25 per watt) based on installation dates between 2026 and 2032, with decreasing amounts over time. To qualify, customers must install a "smart inverter" (safety-compliant solar inverter), add energy storage, and transfer renewable energy credits for 10 years. The bill caps annual and total rebate costs for utilities based on their customer size (e.g., large utilities capped at $5.6 million annually) and allows utilities to recover rebate costs through rate adjustments.
HB 2980 requires counties to issue permits for solar power plants before the state can approve them. It sets specific rules: solar farms must be at least 1,000 feet from homes, schools, or churches; 300 feet from other properties; and 250 feet from roads, with noise limits of 45 decibels. Developers must submit safety plans, hold public meetings, and provide decommissioning plans with a bond covering 125% of cleanup costs before construction begins. The bill directly affects solar developers and county governments by adding local permitting requirements and cleanup accountability.
