HCS HB 307 -- SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

SPONSOR:  Wiggins

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture by a vote of 23 to 0.

Under current law, soil and water conservation subdistricts are
governed by district supervisors.  This substitute gives
governing powers to the trustees of the subdistrict, except in
the formation, consolidation, expansion, or disestablishment of
the subdistrict.  District supervisors continue to act as
advisors and must be provided with the minutes of each
subdistrict meeting.

The substitute also requires subdistrict trustees to own land
within the subdistrict.  Under current law, trustees must live
within the subdistrict.  The Soil and Water Districts Commission
fills the unexpired terms of vacant subdistrict trustee
positions by appointment.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that soil and water conservation
subdistricts may include several counties and are controlled by
district supervisors.  This structure requires decisions to be
made at multiple meetings within the subdistrict.  The bill
reverses the structure to allow central control of the
subdistrict.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Wiggins and Myers.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that they are opposed
to eminent domain powers of the soil and water conservation
districts.

Testifying against the bill were Jerry Main; Sam Newlin; Clinton
Hustead; and Missouri Eagle Forum.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:43 am