SB 1722 - Under the act, when issuance or denial of an environmental permit is appealed, and the Administrative Hearing Commission does not issue a final decision within the timeframe described in the act, the Commission shall issue a decision affirming the issuance of the permit. In any appeal filed by an adversely affected party challenging the issuance of a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources to a different person, and the Commission affirms the issuance of such permit, when the person to whom the permit was issued is a party or intervenor to the appeal, the Commission shall award the permittee reasonable fees, damages, and expenses incurred in the civil action or agency proceeding, unless the court or agency finds that the position of the adversely affected party was substantially justified. The permittee may seek award of such reasonable fees, damages, and expenses in a manner provided in current law. JULIA SHEVELEVA

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kurtis Gregory

SB 1722 modifies Missouri's environmental appeal procedures, potentially affecting how citizens and businesses challenge state environmental decisions.

Second Read and Referred S Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee

Legislative bill overview

SB 1722 creates new provisions governing how environmental appeals are handled in Missouri, though the specific details of those provisions are not publicly available in the initial filing. The bill is currently in its early stages, having just received its first reading in the Senate on February 25, 2026.

Why is this important

Environmental appeals processes affect how citizens, businesses, and advocacy groups can challenge state environmental decisions—including permits, enforcement actions, and regulatory determinations. Changes to appeal procedures can either make it easier or harder for stakeholders to contest environmental determinations, potentially impacting public participation in environmental decision-making and regulatory predictability for regulated industries.

Potential points of contention

Procedural accessibility: Whether changes expand or restrict who can file appeals and under what circumstances, affecting environmental justice communities' ability to participate

Timeline and cost implications: New procedures could impose stricter deadlines or additional filing requirements that benefit well-resourced parties over grassroots organizations

Scope of judicial review: Modifications to what grounds justify appeals or how thoroughly courts review environmental agency decisions could shift power between regulators and challengers