Bill > HJR172

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to be voted on by Missouri citizens at the next general election in November 2026, or a special election. The amendment would change how the conservation commission is structured, how a specific sales and use tax is allocated, and how property taxes affect land owned by the department of conservation. Specifically, it would alter the membership of the conservation commission, allowing for more members with staggered six-year terms, requiring members to reside in different congressional districts, and establishing a process for filling vacancies with input from the General Assembly and requiring public deliberations. It also introduces stricter rules regarding gifts to commission members and requires reporting of any items or services provided by entities contracting with the commission. Furthermore, the resolution would dedicate a portion of the existing one-eighth of one percent sales and use tax to the state parks division and local political subdivisions where conservation department land is located, with the local distribution based on the amount of conservation land within each subdivision. Finally, it modifies how payments are made in lieu of property taxes on land acquired by the commission, ensuring these payments are based on the current real property tax assessments within the local political subdivision, and requires the General Assembly to review and approve or disapprove any proposed land sales or purchases by the department of conservation.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR172&year=2026&code=R