Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

Feb. 27, 2026

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

Improving Land Surveying Service  

The Senate machine is now operating at a steady clip as we leave February behind and approach the mid-point of the 2026 legislative session. This week, I was glad to see one of my priority pieces of legislation passed by the body and sent over to the Missouri House of Representatives for their consideration and, hopefully, passage before heading to the governor’s desk. 

Senate Bill 938 makes some much needed updates to how land recording and surveying fees are handled and provided. It raises the user fee that county recorders charge for record filings from $4 to $5, with the extra dollar being directed toward the Missouri Land Survey Trust Fund instead of general revenue. Currently, one $1 of the $4 fee goes towards the fund. 

By increasing the money in the fund, citizens can expect more support for accurate land surveys, boundary determinations, mapping services and record keeping. 

The bill also allows the Missouri Department of Agriculture to set cost-based fees for producing or reproducing maps, plats, surveys and related records. This change allows the department to maintain their records and provide better resources to citizens. 

While there is a modest fee increase for those filing records, the money generated will be a huge help to people and businesses that need to access the information and require it to be accurate. 

I’m optimistic this bill will move quickly through the House of Representatives and that it will be signed by the governor this year. I will keep you updated as progress takes place. 

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.