CCS/HCS/SB 342 - This act modifies provisions relating to agriculture.LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (Section 64.196) - This act states that no county building ordinance shall conflict with liquefied petroleum gas installations.
This section is identical to a section in the truly agreed and finally passed SS/SCS/HB 542 (2013), HCS/HB 795 (2013), HB 891 (2013), HCS/HB 927 (2013), and HCS/SB 24 (2013).
MISSOURI WOOD ENERGY PRODUCER TAX CREDIT (Section 135.305) - Currently, the Wood Energy Tax Credit program may not authorize further tax credits after June 30, 2013. This act allows tax credits to be authorized under this program until June 30, 2019. This act also prohibits more than three million dollars in tax credits under this program in any fiscal year.
This section is identical to a section in SS/HCS/HB 698 (2013), and is substantially similar to HB 413 (2013), HCS/HB 83 (2013), SS/SCS/SB 120 (2013), and SB 204 (2013).
MOTOR FUEL TAX (Section 142.800) - This act defines the term "additive" as a substance designed to increase engine power or performance introduced by injection or other means into a fuel system but which is not capable of propelling the vehicle without the primary fuel. Use of additive fuels does not require compliance with the alternative fuel decal fee.
This section is similar to a provision contained in HCS/HB 795 (2013).
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION DISTRICTS (Section 262.598) - This act allows University of Missouri extension councils, except for any council located in St. Louis County, to form extension districts made up of cooperating counties for the purpose of funding extension programming. An extension district can be a single-council district or a consolidated district, which would consist of two or more extension councils. A majority vote of each participating council is required to form an extension district.
In a single-council district, the existing University of Missouri extension council will serve as the extension district's governing body. In a consolidated district, the district's governing body will consist of three to five representatives appointed by each participating council. The powers and authorities granted to a district's governing body are described in the act.
The governing body of a district may submit a question to the voters of the district to institute a property tax levy in the district's counties. A property tax levy cannot exceed thirty cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. In a single-county district, the property tax levy will be imposed if a majority of the voters vote in favor of it. In a consolidated district, the property tax levy will be imposed if a majority of the voters in each county in the district approves it. If one county does not approve it, the council in that county may withdraw from the district by a majority vote; upon such withdrawal, the district would be made up of the remaining counties and the tax would be imposed on them. However, if the county that did not approve the tax does not withdraw from the district, then the tax will not be imposed.
A single-council district for which a tax has not been levied may be dissolved in the same manner in which it was formed. A county may withdraw from a consolidated district at any time by filing a petition, as described in the act, with the circuit court having jurisdiction over the council. The court must hear evidence on the petition, and if it determines it is in the best interest of the county inhabitants, it must submit the question to the voters at the next general municipal election. If two-thirds of the voters vote in favor of withdrawing from the district, the court must issue an order withdrawing the county from the district. However, the withdrawal will not become effective until the following January 1 and the district will remain intact for the purposes of paying all outstanding and lawful obligations and to dispose of the district's property.
The governing body of any district may seek voter approval to increase its current tax rate, provided the tax will not exceed thirty cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. The governing body must submit such a question to the voters at the next general municipal election. In a single-council district, if a majority of the voters in the county approve the question, the tax will be imposed. In a consolidated district, a majority of voters in the district is required.
Election costs are to be paid by the extension district, as provided in the act.
This section is identical to CCS/HCS/SCS/SB 9 (2013), is substantially similar to SCS/SB 865 (2012) and SCS/HCS/HB 202 (2013), and is similar to HB 1895 (2012) and HCS/HB 1254 (2012). (Section 262.598)
MISSOURI INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXCHANGE WEBSITE (Section 262.975) - This act allows the Department of Agriculture to contract with an internet development company to build and maintain the Missouri International Agricultural Exchange website. This website shall contain content approved by the Department to promote Missouri agricultural products and services to international buyers.
The website shall allow Missouri-based agriculture sellers to post their products on the website at no charge. All sellers must register through the website and prove Missouri residency. Except for advertising, only agricultural products and services are allowed on the website.
The state of Missouri will have exclusive ownership rights of all website content. The website developer may use all content as specified in this act. The website developer must have proven experience and expertise in search engine optimization, and provide evidence of prior website development projects.
The Department of Agriculture shall review applications and award one annual contract for the development, design, maintenance, and marketing of the website, with annual renewals. The Department shall retain the authority to terminate any contract awarded under this section. If a contract is terminated, the Department shall assume ownership of all site-related domain names, and shall award a new contract in accordance with the procedures set forth in this act.
This section is identical to HB 81 (2013).
MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (Section 348.521) - Currently, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority may issue loans for livestock fee and crop input to individuals for up to $40,000. This act raises the loan amount to $100,000.
This section is identical to a provision contained in the truly agreed and finally passed SS/SCS/HB 542 (2013), HB 412 (2013), HCS/HB 927 (2013), and HCS/SB 9 (2013).
ALIEN OR FOREIGN BUSINESS OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND (Sections 442.571-442.576) - Generally, aliens and foreign businesses are prohibited from owning or having an interest in agricultural land, except as provided in sections 442.586 and 442.591. This act prohibits aliens or foreign businesses from owning agricultural land if the total aggregate alien and foreign ownership of agricultural acreage in Missouri exceeds one percent of the total aggregate agricultural acreage. Sale, transfer, or acquisition of any agricultural land must be approved by the director of the Department of Agriculture.
This section is identical to a provision contained in HCS/SCS/SB 9 (2013).
CLEAN WATER LAW (Section 644.029) - This act requires the Department of Natural Resources to allow an appropriate schedule of compliance for a permittee to make facility upgrades to meet new water quality requirements.
This section is identical to a provision contained in SS/SCS/HB 650 (2013), SS/SCS/HCS/HB 28 (2013), SS/SCS/HB 650 (2013), HCS/HB 880 (2013), HCS/HB 881 (2013), and HB 944 (2013).
MINING NEAR AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL (Section 1) - This act exempts Cape Girardeau from section 444.771 that bans the Department of Natural Resources from issuing permits for mine plan boundaries that are within 1000 feet of an accredited school.
KAYLA CRIDER