Water Exportation

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources convened Thursday morning to consider passage of SB 82, sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger (R-Benton). The bill specifies that it is unlawful for any person to withdraw from any water source for export outside the state of Missouri unless a water export permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources is held. The language also establishes an application process for any water exportation and outlines the process for renewing issued permits. During committee discussion, substitute language was adopted to clarify the Department of Natural Resources must notify the county commission within 30 days of receiving a permit application, allow designees to be assigned for the members of the Missouri Water Resources Commission to ensure representation and removed a redundant statutory reference. Once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 5-0 vote.

The committee then turned its attention to SB 29, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean (R-Peach Orchard). The bill is the Senate companion to SB 82, highlighted above. However, in an attempt to have multiple legislative vehicles, the committee voted each bill separately. During committee discussion, a committee substitute was adopted to align the language to mirror SB 82 and once modified, the committee passed the bill by a 5-0 vote.