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).
HB 3062 repeals a law requiring businesses to provide paper or plastic bags for packaged items. It allows businesses to choose whether to offer paper or plastic bags for purchases, while prohibiting local governments from banning, taxing, or imposing fees on these bags. The bill also maintains consumers' right to use reusable bags for purchases. This changes current requirements that would have restricted bag options and local regulatory authority.
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.
HB 2905 establishes Missouri's control over federally managed lands within the state, requiring federal agencies to obtain state legislative consent before acquiring land or implementing new regulations. It mandates public hearings in affected counties for land changes, gives state law enforcement primary authority for resource enforcement, and prohibits federal officers from issuing citations for minor offenses without state coordination. The bill also requires federal agencies to share 70% of revenue from activities on these lands with Missouri for community projects, road improvements, and economic development, while asserting state jurisdiction over water, wildlife, and mineral rights. A state-federal dispute resolution board must mediate conflicts before new federal regulations take effect.
HB 3076 clarifies Missouri's water pollution rules by specifying when agricultural and industrial wastewater storage systems do not require state permits. It exempts earthen basins storing non-toxic soil/silt materials from construction permits and clarifies that certain agricultural wastewater storage (like basins holding nonmetallic materials) is not subject to federal permitting. The bill also establishes buffer distances between large wastewater storage basins (over 500,000 gallons) and homes/residences, and mandates annual testing for metals and bacteria in commingled industrial wastewater storage. This directly affects farms, fertilizer producers, and industrial facilities managing wastewater storage.
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.
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.
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.
HB 2712 modifies state pesticide regulations by allowing pesticides registered under federal law (specifically EPA approval under FIFRA) with cancer warning labels to satisfy the state's separate cancer warning label requirements. This directly affects pesticide manufacturers and retailers who must display cancer warnings on product labels. The bill changes the rule so that federal EPA classifications for cancer risk - already required on product labels - fulfill the state’s labeling obligation, eliminating the need for duplicate warnings. It does not change manufacturers’ liability for product safety under state law.
HB 2823 repeals a law that previously restricted businesses from providing plastic or paper bags for packaging purchases. It allows businesses to choose between paper or plastic bags for customers, and prevents local governments from banning, taxing, or imposing fees on these bags. The bill also ensures consumers can still use reusable bags at retail locations. This directly affects merchants, vendors, and local governments by removing existing bag-related regulations. The key change is eliminating both business restrictions and local fee/ban authority over single-use bags.
