Current Actions

Invasive Plant Bill - SB 105 - To be heard in House Committee Mon. Apr14 1:30PM

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

SB 105, a ban on the sale of invasive plant species, is on the move! Your voice can help get it passed.

In previous sessions the effort to ban the sale of damaging invasive plant species has been generally well recieved but didn't make it over the finish line. This year there has been more progress than in the past. Your voice can help get this common-sense legislation "truly agreed and finally passed", and sent to the Governor's desk.

Two similar bills were filed this year, SB 105 by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter and HB 60 by Rep. Bruce Sassman. SB 105 has passed the Senate and was sent to the House, where it is scheduled to be heard in the Conservation and Natural Resources committee at 1:30 p.m. Monday Apr 14.

Your Representative is a member of that committee, so your voice is extra valuable! It will be a big help if you can contact your Rep. to encourage them to vote yes on SB 105.

From the official bill summary:

"…all plant nurseries shall meet certain affidavit requirements relating to plant pest infestation. The affidavit shall state that the nursery dealer shall not knowingly and intentionally sell or distribute any viable plant portions or seeds of certain plants described in the act."

Invasive species specified in SB 105:

- Climbing euonymus (Euonymus fortune variety Coloratus)

- all varieties and cultivars of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

- all varieties and cultivars of Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

- Perilla mint (perilla frutescens)

- Burning bush (Euonymus alatus Compactus)

- all varieties and cultivars of Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Thanks for your help!

HJR 94 to be heard at NOON Tuesday Mar 25th. A legislative effort to get the voters to end the Missouri model of wildlife conservation.

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Upon voter approval, this constitutional amendment would cut the conservation sales and use tax in half, from from one-eighth of one percent to one-sixteenth of one percent (0.125% to 0.0625%).

It would also require that the remaining be approved by voters in 2026, 2032, and then every six years thereafter. If a majority of the voters fail to approve the continuance of the tax, the tax will terminate at the end of the second fiscal year after the last election was held.

The amendment also repeals the Conservation Commission ability to use the funds generated through the tax for the purchase or acquisition of property.

This bill is scheduled to be heard in the House "Government Efficiency" committee at Noon or upon morning recess (whichever is later), in House Hearing Room 7. This was not announced until the evening of March 25th.

The resolution can be seen here: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR94&year=2025&code=R

HJR 43 seeks to undermine Missouri's conservation tradition

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

HJR 43 poses a significant threat to the Missouri model of conservation which has served us so well for nearly 9 decades. It seeks to modify the Constitution, shifting critical aspects of Conservation from the Commission to the Legislature. It is scheduled for public hearing in House Hearing Room 7 at Noon Tues. Feb 18th.

Unlike bills, joint resolutions bypass the Governor. If HJR 43 gets through the House and the Senate it would then go to a vote of the people. While Missouri voters have a strong record of supporting conservation, we can take nothing for granted and would be forced to engage in a statewide battle to protect the model the CFM originally fought for in 1936. We'd all rather defeat this terrible idea now, and avoid having our time, funds and energy diverted from other priorities.

HJR 94 to be heard at NOON Tuesday Mar 25th. A serious assault on conservation funding in Missouri.

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Upon voter approval, this constitutional amendment would cut the conservation sales and use tax in half, from from one-eighth of one percent to one-sixteenth of one percent (0.125% to 0.0625%).

It would also require that the remaining tax be approved by voters in 2026, 2032, and then every six years thereafter. If a majority of the voters fail to approve the continuance of the tax, the tax will terminate at the end of the second fiscal year after the last election was held.

The amendment also repeals the Conservation Commission ability to use the funds generated through the tax for the purchase or acquisition of property.

This bill is scheduled to be heard in the House "Government Efficiency" committee at Noon or upon morning recess (whichever is later), in House Hearing Room 7. Less than 24 hours notice was given for this hearing. That is clearly disrespectful to Missouri voters in general, but especially to the constituents of every member of the committee.

The resolution can be seen here: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR94&year=2025&code=R