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Water bills advance through MO Legislature

Legislation that would increase privacy for major water users in Missouri is making its way through the legislative process in Jefferson City.

Casey Wasser with the Missouri Soybean Association says water usage should be reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, but the public shouldn’t have access to that information once its reported.

“We’ve already seen activist groups from out of state show up at farmer’s homes, even last year, who are trying to push a false narrative,” he says. “Someone shouldn’t be able to get personally identifiable information on a farmer, their home or their water usage. It’s important for us to protect that.”

He says a bill sponsored by Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, Senate Bill 1351, is getting a few updates before it gets a vote.

“We’ve had a hearing in the Senate and the bill was voted out on party lines with Republicans voting yes and Democrats voting no. We’ve since drafted a floor sub that might find a good compromise to help the bill move forward.”

And Wasser says Representative Dane Diehl is sponsoring the House version of the bill, House Bill 2669, which is also making progress.

Wasser says Missouri’s soybean farmers also support two water export bills making their way through the state legislative process.

The Missouri Legislature has less than two months left in its session.