In the first two weeks of Session, Speaker Dean Plocher has referred over 200 bills to committee, including legislation to fight crime, promoting school choice and parent’s rights in the their child’s education, and reigning in skyrocketing property tax increases.

I chair the first standing committee to hear new legislation this year.

One bill returning to our committee, HB 2153, would establish guidelines for the exportation of our abundant water resources. Protecting our natural resources from the exploitation by bad actors in other states is a proactive approach serving the best interests of our citizens.

Two other bills heard in committee on the first evening of our public hearings drew an emotionally charged audience providing hours of testimony. HB 1956 and HB 2134 prohibits the Missouri Clean Water Commission from exempting any entity from the requirement to obtain any water pollution permit based on licensure under the Missouri Fertilizer law.

A loophole in the law allowed poorly regulated dumping of wash water and effluent from the state’s animal processing plants on private land. We listened to testimony from the bill sponsors, DNR, the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, waste haulers, county commissioners, agricultural partners, environmental organizations and landowners. All of those testifying were looking for a workable solution.

I think we can get there. 

Our committee will review the bills and hopefully pass a committee substitute in the next few weeks.

Another bill that will be heard in our committee addresses invasive plant species in Missouri.

The goal of HB 1555 is to stop the sale of five plants that are a threat to our native biodiversity and the economic stability of forest products, livestock, and outdoor industries.

We have been working with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to find a pathway for success. An alternative to HB1555 is being drafted and will be filed (this) week.

I think the earliest we could hear that bill would be Jan. 22.

Our regularly scheduled Conservation and Natural Resources meetings are Monday evenings at 6 pm.

As the chair of a committee, I have the best opportunity to have a meaningful impact on future legislation. I appreciate the Speaker’s trust in me to find the best solutions to prepare proposed legislation so it could be passed by the entire legislation body.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please email me with any questions or concerns (bruce.sassmann@house.mo.gov) or call Jill Ryals in the office at 573-751-6668.