HCS HB 1023 -- CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ADVISORY BOARD

SPONSOR:  Hobbs (Quinn, 7)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute establishes an advisory board within the
Department of Conservation to assist the Conservation Commission.
The board will be staffed by the department and will consist of
one member from each conservation district with no more than four
from the same political party.  Four of the members must obtain
51% of their income from farming activities, and each member will
serve staggered four-year terms.  The board is required to report
annually to the commission, General Assembly, and Governor.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2008, FY
2009, and FY 2010.  Estimated Cost on Other State Funds Could
Exceed $100,000 in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the members of the advisory
board will have no authority or power but will be the eyes and
ears for the Department of Conservation in his or her region and
will advise the department accordingly.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Quinn (7); Bob
Wilson, Missouri Gamebird Preserves; Missouri Wildlife Breeders
Association; Missouri Federation of Animal Owners; Missouri Corn
Growers Association; and Gary Webb, Noodler's Anonymous.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the board might
work to limit public input, and the department is not clear on
the objective of the board.

Testifying against the bill were Department of Conservation; and
Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am