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HB 3366

Designates April 22 each year as "Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day"

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Burton

April 22 is designated Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day to educate the public about conserving Missouri’s black bears, with no new costs or programs.

Public Hearing Completed (H)
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Bill Summary · HB 3366

Summary of HB 3366 (Missouri, 2026 Session)

Basic purpose

HB 3366 designates a new annual observance, creating “Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day.” The designated day is April 22 each year. The bill encourages statewide participation in events and activities to educate the public about conservation efforts for Missouri’s black bear population.

Key provisions

  • Add a new section to Chapter 9, RSMo, establishing:
    • Section 9.358: April 22 each year is designated as “Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day.”
    • Citizens are encouraged to participate in appropriate events and activities to educate about efforts to conserve Missouri’s black bear population.
  • No other substantive changes to laws or state programs are included.

Who/what is affected

  • State residents and general public, who are encouraged to participate in awareness activities.
  • Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Office of Administration are identified as the relevant state agencies, though the fiscal note indicates no direct fiscal impact on these agencies.

Fiscal and procedural impact

  • Fiscal impact:
    • The Legislative Research Oversight Division’s notes and agency fiscal analysis indicate no net cost to state funds, federal funds, or local funds attributable to the bill.
    • No new full-time employees (FTEs) are anticipated.
    • No expenditures or revenue changes are expected for the general revenue fund or other state funds specific to this act.
  • Administrative/implementation:
    • The bill simply designates a holiday/awareness day and encourages participation; it does not establish funding, reporting requirements, or programmatic duties beyond encouragement.
  • Effective date and timeline:
    • The designation would take effect upon enactment (the bill does not specify a retroactive or different effective date beyond passage). It would apply annually on April 22 moving forward.

Supporting context

  • The bill is a recurring annual observance intended to raise public awareness about black bear conservation in Missouri.
  • It is similar to prior proposals (HB 1549 in 2025 and HB 2486 in 2024), indicating ongoing legislative interest in establishing a conservation awareness day for Missouri’s black bears.

Summary in plain terms

HB 3366 would officially declare April 22 each year as “Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day” and encourage Missourians to participate in events that educate the public about efforts to conserve Missouri’s black bear population. The measure imposes no new costs, requires no new programs, and does not change existing conservation authority or funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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