News

MO water rights bill passes

Missouri lawmakers have approved a bill that would require a permit to export water outside of the state.

Jacob Knaebel with the Missouri Corn Growers Association says it’s good news for farmers, “What are we doing in Missouri to make sure our water resources aren’t being sent elsewhere, especially in times of drought, like we have in Missouri where we need that water here. Put some safeguards in place for Missouri farmers and Missourians to have the right to water resources over out of state interests.”

It’s the second year Senate Bill 82 has been considered by state lawmakers and Governor Mike Kehoe still needs to review the bill. Knaebel says if it’s signed, there will be a rulemaking process, “Pending the governor’s signature, which everything indicates he’d be supportive of these measures, that we could expect to see some of these changes coming relatively soon.”

Other ag groups, including the Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, were supportive of the legislation.