Environment in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1969: Requires a notice of intent to excavate to the department of natural resources to check whether the excavation is in a site contaminated with hazardous waste

HB 1969 requires excavators (like construction companies) to submit a notice of intent to dig to Missouri's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before starting work. The DNR must then check if the site is within a location contaminated with hazardous waste, including areas under active cleanup, requiring cleanup, or listed in the state's hazardous waste registry. If contamination is confirmed, the DNR mandates soil testing - either by the responsible party or directly by the DNR - to ensure worker safety. This affects excavation projects by adding a mandatory safety check before digging begins.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

passed · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2384: Creates provisions restricting political subdivisions from imposing requirements that threaten affordability of developments or improvements of property

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.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation Building Codes Property Taxes

in committee · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2162: Creates provisions relating to a post-consumer paint recycling program

HB 2162 establishes a state-mandated program to recycle used architectural paint in Missouri. It requires manufacturers (producers) of architectural paint sold in the state to fund and manage a recycling system, either through a shared nonprofit organization or individually. Producers will add a fee per paint container to cover program costs, and the program must follow environmental standards for collecting, handling, and recycling paint. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will oversee the program to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2475: Modifies provisions of the Renewable Energy Standard

HB 2475 modifies Missouri's Renewable Energy Standard by establishing new renewable energy portfolio requirements for electric utilities. It requires utilities to generate or purchase electricity from alternative energy sources (including wind, solar, and hydropower) to meet specific annual targets: 2% by 2013, 5% by 2017, 10% by 2020, and 15% annually starting in 2021, with at least 2% coming from solar. Utilities can comply by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) or generating eligible energy, with Missouri-produced renewable energy counting as 1.25 times its actual amount toward compliance. The bill directly affects all electric utilities serving Missouri consumers, requiring them to meet these tiered targets for electricity sales.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2267: Repeals the "Missouri Economic Diversification and Afforestation Act of 1990"

HB 2267 repeals Missouri's 1990 "Missouri Economic Diversification and Afforestation Act" (specifically sections 252.300-252.333 and 640.030) and replaces it with a new section (640.030). The bill requires the Missouri Departments of Natural Resources and Conservation to develop an interagency agreement for managing state funds, without needing legislative review or oversight. This change eliminates the previous agroforestry program, which provided payments to landowners for practices like alley cropping and forested buffers. The new agreement focuses solely on coordinating fund use between agencies, without creating new incentives or programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2239: Creates the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Environmental Accountability Act

HB 2239 requires new or expanded AI data centers (100+ megawatts capacity) built after August 28, 2027, to install closed-loop water cooling systems or equivalent alternatives. Operators must submit annual public reports detailing water use, energy sources, emissions, waste, and community health metrics. Failure to comply with cooling requirements or report submissions incurs daily civil penalties up to $50,000. The law mandates public access to these reports within 60 days of submission, enhancing transparency around environmental and health impacts.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Tags Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1210: Creates provisions relating to battery recycling

SB 1210, the "Lithium Battery Recycling and Safety Act," requires battery manufacturers and recyclers in Missouri to join or form a representative organization that creates and maintains a statewide battery recycling program. The program must include annual collection targets based on past sales, approved collection sites, and public education, with all batteries disposed only at these designated sites after implementation. Manufacturers and recyclers must participate in the program to operate in the state, and annual reports detailing collection rates, finances, and facility use must be publicly posted. The law excludes medical, lead-acid, vehicle, and certain other battery types from its requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1925: Creates new provisions regarding the discharge of foam fire suppressants

HB 1925 bans the manufacture, sale, and use of firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (known as "forever chemicals") in Missouri after January 1, 2028, with limited exceptions for airport use required by federal law or military defense applications. It requires immediate reporting of any foam discharge to the state environmental agency within 24 hours and mandates manufacturers to recall existing PFAS-containing foam while reimbursing buyers. The law aims to protect Missouri's water sources by regulating PFAS in firefighting foam, requiring manufacturers to provide certification of compliance. It directly affects foam manufacturers, fire departments, airports, and military facilities handling such foam.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2286: Prohibits governmental entities from granting legal personhood to a variety of objects

HB 2286 bars Missouri government entities (including courts, legislatures, and agencies) from granting legal rights or personhood to non-human entities. It specifically prohibits recognizing legal personhood for items like rivers, land, artificial intelligence, real property, atmospheric gases, plants, nonhuman animals, and other non-human things. The law defines "legal personhood" as rights under Missouri law and lists 11 specific categories it blocks, such as bodies of water and nonhuman animals. This directly affects how Missouri government bodies handle legal cases involving these entities. The bill aims to prevent government recognition of legal rights for things that are not human beings.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 1624: Requires an applicant for a seed permit or renewal of a seed permit to include an affidavit that prohibits the sale of certain nonnative invasive plants

HB 1624 requires seed permit applicants and nursery dealers in Missouri to include an affidavit stating they will not knowingly sell certain nonnative invasive plants as part of their permit or registration application. The affidavit specifically prohibits the sale of climbing euonymus, Japanese honeysuckle, Sericea lespedeza, and Perilla mint after January 1, 2027, and burning bush or Callery pear after January 1, 2029. This requirement is mandatory for obtaining or renewing a seed permit or nursery dealer registration, directly affecting nurseries and seed sellers who must comply to operate legally. The bill does not impose direct penalties but ties permit approval to adherence with these plant sale restrictions.

Topics ✓ Environment

All environment bills