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HB 3295

Repeals and creates new provisions relating to the members of the Clean Water Commission

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Butz

HB 3295 reshapes the Clean Water Commission to broaden public, agriculture, industry, and wastewater expertise, tighten conflicts, and set four-year terms with attendance rules.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#agriculture #environmentalprotection #miningandoilandgasproduction #naturalresources #departmentof #waterresourcesandwaterdistricts
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Bill Summary · HB 3295

Overview

HB 3295 (2026, Missouri) proposes changes to the membership and governance of the Clean Water Commission of the State of Missouri. The bill repeals current provisions and enacts a new structure for who can serve on the commission, eligibility and conflict-of-interest rules, term lengths, meeting requirements, and attendance-related vacancies.

Purpose and intent

  • Reconstitute the membership composition of the Clean Water Commission to more explicitly reflect public interests and expertise in water quality, agriculture, industry/mining, and publicly owned wastewater treatment works.
  • Tighten conflict-of-interest rules and attendance standards for commission members.
  • Clarify alignment with Missouri Clean Water Law and ensure appointment and governance practices meet current statutory standards.

Key provisions and changes

  • Commission composition (644.021, new):

    • The commission will have seven members appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate.
    • Representation:
    • 1 member knowledgeable about agriculture.
    • 1 member knowledgeable about industry or mining.
    • 1 member knowledgeable about publicly owned wastewater treatment works.
    • 4 members representing the public.
    • No more than four members may belong to the same political party.
    • Members must be representative of the public interest and knowledgeable about water contaminants and conservation.

  • Appointment and qualifications:

    • Members appointed on or after August 28, 2002, must demonstrate interest and knowledge about water quality and be qualified to interpret scientific/technical information related to water quality, financial requirements, and regulatory impacts.
    • Annual (initially at the first meeting and annually thereafter) selection of a chairman and vice chairman from among members.

  • Conflicts of interest:

    • The governor may not appoint individuals with a substantial interest in business entities regulated under the relevant law or entities that would be regulated in Missouri.
    • The commission must establish rules requiring self-exemption from participation in discussions and voting when there is a potential conflict of interest.
    • Before voting on a variance, appeal, or order, the commission shall adopt a rule to exclude any member with a conflict of interest.

  • Rulemaking and judicial review:

    • Rules created under the authority of this section must comply with and be subject to the Missouri Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 536) and related provisions.
    • If any powers to review, delay, disapprove, or annul a rule are found unconstitutional, the bill provisions render the commission’s rulemaking authority and subsequent rules invalid (nonseverable).

  • Term lengths and vacancies:

    • Terms are four years, with initial staggered terms: first three appointees serve two years, next three serve four years, then all serve four-year terms.
    • No term limits on reappointment; vacancies filled by the governor for the remainder of the term.
    • Governor may remove members for cause.

  • Meetings and attendance:

    • The commission must hold at least four regular meetings per year; additional meetings may be held as needed.
    • Special meetings require notice; four members constitute a quorum.
    • A member missing four consecutive regular meetings is deemed to have resigned (replacing the vacancy per the process in subsection 1).

  • Miscellaneous:

    • Members are reimbursed for travel and necessary expenses.
    • Chair and vice chair are elected by the members at the first meeting and annually thereafter.

Who is affected

  • Members of the Clean Water Commission (new eligibility criteria and composition).
  • Governor (appointment and removal authority influenced by new rules and term structures).
  • Public stakeholders and participants in Missouri water quality governance (due to expanded public representation and stricter conflict rules).
  • Regulated entities and applicants (indirectly affected by potential changes in policy discussions and voting due to updated conflict-of-interest rules).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective date considerations: The rulemaking provisions are tied to compliance with chapter 536; noncompliance or constitutional issues could affect the validity of rules adopted after August 28, 2026.
  • Term schedule: Initial terms are staggered (two-year and four-year terms) to establish a turnover pattern, followed by four-year terms for ongoing appointments.
  • Attendance threshold: Four consecutive absences triggers resignation, changing how vacancies arise and are filled.

Summary

HB 3295 reshapes the Clean Water Commission’s makeup to emphasize agricultural, industrial/mining, wastewater-treatment, and broad public representation, reinforces conflict-of-interest safeguards, tightens attendance-based vacancy rules, and enforces a structured four-year term framework with staggered starts. The bill aims to strengthen governance, transparency, and expertise in Missouri’s water quality regulation while preserving essential regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act framework.

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

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