FEBRUARY 12, 2020 - Monday night, House Bill 1804 was approved by the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Rep. Tim Remole. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Randy Pietzman, Vice Chairman of the Committee.
Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM) is the only business group supporting the bill that would require the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to help small business apply for necessary environmental permits. If the DNR does not assist the businesses, they must pay for any outside assistance the business requires to complete the permit application.
AIM believes the Missouri Department of Natural Resources should assist applicants for permits. The DNR said in their response to the fiscal note for the same bill last year (the price tag that accompanies legislation), they would require one full time employee dedicated to assisting applicants. This year, the DNR has requested 6 full time employees at a cost of more than $600,000.
"The Missouri Department of Natural Resources claims to be an agency that wants to help the regulated community comply with complicated environmental regulations," said Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri. "If that is the case, they should be helping permit applicants already, with no legislation needed."
The bill was referred to the House Rules Administrative Oversight committee and a hearing on the bill is scheduled for February 13.
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