2022 Missouri Legislative Outlook: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Pre-filed agriculture, natural resources, and conservation bills for the 2nd Regular Legislative Session of the 101st Missouri General Assembly are very similar to those that were filed and discussed last year. Topics addressed include agricultural tax credits, provisions for biodiesel and ethanol, working animals, food deserts, and farmland ownership.
Agricultural Tax Credits
As with last year, we will see legislation regarding the tax credits for producers of biodiesel fuels (HB 1875 | SB 805), as well as bills suggesting tax credits for retail dealers who are selling higher ethanol blends at their stations (SB 707 | SB 805).
Related Science Note: Establishing a Minimum Biodiesel Fuel in Missouri
Several bills were pre-filed already on extending agricultural tax credits that were available through programs with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to Missouri farmers until 2028 (SB 677). Some of these tax credits can be applied only for certain agricultural purposes, such as at meat processing facilities (SB 644), or wood processing (HB 1862 | SB 644), or for offering livestock loans for family farms in Missouri (HB 1596). Because these bills failed to be extended as laws during the last legislative session, it is likely that they will be prioritized among the different agricultural legislative topics this spring.
Food Insecurity
Members of both the House and Senate have filed legislation regarding food deserts in Missouri: HB 1570, SB 717, and HB 1919 will authorize tax credits for urban farms located in food deserts, and SB 790 will establish tax credits for grocery stores in food deserts in Missouri.
Related Science Notes: Tax Credit for Grocery Stores in Food Deserts; Tax Credit for Urban Agriculture in Food Deserts; Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
Farmland Ownership
Legislation that includes provisions for stricter regulation of ownership of agricultural land by foreign entities remains a topic that Missouri legislators are working on this year, and although two bills have been pre-filed at the moment (HB 1947 | SB 791), more are expected to come in the following weeks. Last year, at least three bills restricting the rules of foreign ownership of agricultural land in the state were filed, but none of them became law.
Related Science Notes: Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land; Eminent Domain for Utility Purposes
Rural Community Development
Last year, the Missouri House of Representatives established for the first time the Rural Community Development Committee, a committee that saw a variety of legislation covering agriculture, rural issues, and economic development. This year, SB 705 proposes the establishment of a Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development, which will be composed of five members of the Senate and five members of the House, and will be responsible for investigating and examining issues relating to the economic development of rural areas of the state.
Related Science Note: Barriers to Rural Gas Station Development
Questions? Contact Dr. Eleni Bickell, Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Fellow, eleni@mostpolicyinitiative.org.
