Modifies provisions relating to environmental programs within the Department of Natural Resources

HCS/SB 953 - The act modifies provisions relating to environmental programs within the Department of Natural Resources. HYDRANT INSPECTION PROGRAM (Section 640.144) The act makes technical changes to the provision relating to a hydrant inspection program. This provision is identical to SB 1554 (2026), HB 2703 (2026), and a provision in SCS/HB 3000 (2026). TRANSFER OF MONEYS FROM CERTAIN FUNDS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (Sections 640.220 and 643.350) Under the act, before June 30, 2027, any unexpended balance in the subaccounts of the Natural Resources Protection Fund exceeding the preceding biennium's collections shall revert to the General Revenue Fund at the end of each biennium. Beginning July 1, 2027, any unexpended balance in the subaccounts of the Natural Resources Protection Fund that exceeds the preceding biennium's collections shall not revert to the General Revenue Fund. Beginning July 1, 2027, and annually on July 1st of each succeeding year, the Commissioner of Administration shall use taxable sales reports to estimate the amount of state general revenue sales and use tax derived from electric power distribution in the immediately preceding calendar year and shall report such amount to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall transfer certain amounts from the general revenue sales as described in the act. The act repeals certain provisions relating to the transfer of funds from the Missouri Air Emission Reduction Fund. These provisions are identical to provisions in SS/SB 1033 (2026), HB 3386 (2026), SB 120 (2025) and SB 1483 (2024). CLEAN WATER COMMISSION (644.021) The act modifies membership requirements of the Clean Water Commission. The act provides that at least one member of the Commission shall be knowledgeable concerning the needs of publicly owned waste water treatment works. The act repeals a provision relating to the receipt of income during the previous two years by the members of the Commission. The Commission shall establish rules specifying when members shall exempt themselves from participating in discussions and from voting on issues before the Commission due to a potential conflict of interest. A member shall exempt him or herself from participating in discussions and from voting on any issue before the Commission including, but not limited to, permitting and enforcement actions that directly involve an entity from which the Commissioner receives or has received within the previous two years a significant portion of his or her income. These provisions are similar to SB 1009 (2026), HB 1885 (2026), and HCS/HB 488 (2025). REGULATION OF WATER CONTAMINANTS (Sections 644.051 and 644.059) The act provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate, use or maintain any water contaminant unless the person holds an operating permit, subject to the exemptions that exempt agricultural storm water discharge from permitting requirements. (Section 644.051) Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges shall be exempt from certain permitting requirements under the Missouri Clean Water Law. Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges shall not be considered unlawful, subject to certain provisions under the act. Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges from irrigated agriculture shall include certain water and snow runoff, drainage, and infiltration, as described in current law. (Section 644.059) These provisions are similar to SCS/SB 1427 (2026) and HCS/HB 3076 (2026). RIGHTS TO RETURN FLOWS (Section 644.083) Under the act, a person who has contracted for the right to store water in a reservoir owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers shall have exclusive rights to any return flows from the reservoir. The rights shall be subject to regulatory requirements imposed by the state and to the availability of unused storage capacity within the reservoir. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1397 (2026) and substantially similar to HB 2421 (2026).