HB 146, HCA 1 -- SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

SPONSOR:  Wiggins

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture by a vote of 16 to 6.

This bill changes boards of soil and water conservation district
supervisors from the governing body of subdistricts to advisory
to subdistrict boards.  They are to advise only on formation,
consolidation, expansion, or disestablishment of subdistricts.

HCA 1 -- Returns condemnation powers to the boards of soil and
water district supervisors.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that a watershed may include 5 or
more counties, each having a soil and water conservation board.
In order for the soil and water conservation district to do its
business, all 5 or more county soil and water conservation
boards must be consulted.  This bill would allow the election of
a board of trustees to oversee the business of the watershed as
a whole.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Wiggins; John
Walker, Director of the Missouri Watershed Association; Earl
Hayes, Soil and Water Conservation Sub District Chairman; and
Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

HB 146 -- Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Sponsor:  Wiggins

This bill changes boards of soil and water conservation district
supervisors from the governing body of subdistricts to advisory
to subdistrict boards.  They are to advise only on formation,
consolidation, expansion, or disestablishment of subdistricts.