SB 1368 prohibits all weather modification activities in Missouri, defined as releasing chemicals or devices into the atmosphere to alter weather, climate, or sunlight. It makes violations a class E felony and imposes civil penalties up to $200,000. The bill requires airports to report aircraft equipped for potential weather modification starting in 2027 and establishes a public reporting system for violations. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources enforces the law, collects penalties into a conservation fund, and can seek court orders for violations.
SB 1788 - This act restricts expenditure of any local taxes collected by a political subdivision on aviation fuel or the revenues generated by an international airport that is the subject of federal assistance or the subject of assistance from the Missouri Department of Transportation for purposes other than the capital or operating costs of the airport, the local airport system, or any other local facility that is owned or operated by the person or entity that owns or operates the airport that is directly and substantially related to the air transportation of passengers or property. Provisions of this act do not apply to any taxes collected by a political subdivision for sale of a private airport to a public entity if the sale is approved by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, funding is provided under federal law for any portion of the public entity's acquisition of airport land, and an amount described in the act under federal law to that airport for purposes other than land acquisition, is repaid to the Federal Department of Transportation by the private owner. Repayments referred to in this act shall be treated as a recovery of prior year obligations. Nothing in this act may be construed to prevent the use of a state tax on aviation fuel to support a state aviation program or the use of airport revenue on or off the airport for a noise mitigation purpose. JOSH NORBERG
SB 1685 extends Missouri's sales tax exemption for aviation jet fuel used by interstate airlines, allowing carriers to avoid paying state sales tax on qualifying fuel purchases up to $1.5 million annually. This exemption directly affects commercial airlines transporting passengers and cargo across state lines, with tax revenues from the exemption directed to the aviation trust fund (capped at $10 million yearly). The bill updates the expiration date of this existing policy from 2033 to December 31, 2043, maintaining the same annual tax cap and refund mechanisms for overpayments. The change provides continued tax relief for the aviation industry without altering the exemption's core structure.
HB 3249 extends Missouri's existing tax exemption for jet fuel used by airlines in interstate air travel until 2043, replacing a previous expiration date of 2033. The exemption allows airlines to avoid paying state sales and use taxes on jet fuel, provided they have already paid up to $1.5 million in such taxes during a calendar year. Airlines must provide a written certificate to fuel sellers to claim the exemption and may use a direct payment agreement with the state revenue department to manage tax obligations. This change ensures continued tax relief for airlines operating in Missouri's aviation sector without altering the current $1.5 million annual cap on taxable fuel.
HB 2947 restricts how certain city-owned airports can use revenue from airport operations. It applies to cities not within a county that receive federal or state airport funding. The bill requires that all such revenue - like fees from ticket sales or rentals - must be spent only on airport-related costs, including the airport itself, the local airport system, or directly related facilities (like security or baggage systems). It prohibits using these funds for general city services or unrelated projects.
HB 2931 restricts how cities and airports can spend tax revenue collected from airport operations. It requires that these funds be used **only** for airport-related costs, such as airport maintenance, capital improvements, or other facilities directly tied to air transportation (like runways or terminals). The bill explicitly prohibits using this revenue for general city expenses, non-airport projects, or unrelated facilities owned by the airport operator. This policy change directly affects cities operating airports and their revenue management practices.
HB 2962 repeals a 1983 restriction that prohibited state funding for the Missouri-St. Louis Metropolitan Airport Authority. This bill directly affects the airport authority by allowing the state to appropriate funds for its operations and development. The key mechanism is removing the existing legal barrier to state financial support, enabling the authority to receive state moneys for airport-related projects and services in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
HJR 134 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Missouri's current highways and transportation commission with the Department of Transportation (DOT) as the sole authority for managing all state transportation systems, including highways, aviation, rail, and ports. The bill revises how fuel tax revenue is distributed, directing 10% to counties for road maintenance (with specific formulas), 15% to cities/towns for streets and roads, and the remainder to the state road fund. It also prohibits local governments from imposing new transportation taxes without voter approval, requiring a two-thirds vote in cities/towns. This change directly affects state transportation governance, local funding allocations, and future local tax policies related to roads and infrastructure.
