Bill > HB545

This bill modifies existing Missouri state law regarding water user registration documents by establishing strict confidentiality protections for individually identifiable information submitted to the Division of Geology and Land Survey within the Department of Natural Resources. Specifically, the bill prohibits the division from releasing any personally identifiable details from water user registration documents to the public, including in response to records requests under the state's sunshine law (chapter 610). The only exceptions to this confidentiality requirement are: (1) disclosure of aggregated county-level data showing the number of major water users and total water usage, and (2) limited information releases in response to a valid subpoena or court order. The bill also includes a penalty provision, stating that any division employee who intentionally discloses confidential information would be subject to disciplinary action and could be charged with a class A misdemeanor. A "major water user" is defined as an entity withdrawing or diverting water from any water source, who must file a detailed registration document with the division that includes information such as location, water source type, quantity of water used, and other specifics about their water withdrawal operations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB545&year=2025&code=R