SB 782 - Under the act, it shall be unlawful for any person to withdraw any water source for export outside the state of Missouri unless such person holds a water export permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources.

Before issuing a permit for water exportation, the Director of the Department shall submit a recommendation for such permit to the General Assembly pursuant to conditions described in the act. The General Assembly shall issue a decision within sixty days from the Director's submission of such recommendation and the Director shall issue a permit within ninety days after receiving an approval. The permit is deemed as denied if the General Assembly does not issue a decision within the sixty days time period. The Governor may veto any such approvals by the General Assembly. The active life of the permit does not exceed five years as described in the act. Each applicant must designate an agent for service of process with each application for such permit.

Applications for renewal of water exportation permit shall be filed one hundred and eighty days prior to the expiration date of such permit. Considerations for renewal of such permits are subject to the most recent data as described in the act. Before submitting a recommendation for renewal of the permit to the General Assembly, the Director shall review the water supply needs and considerations under the act, and may recommend additional conditions to address any substantial or material change in the permit as described in the act. If there is a conflict between conditions of use required in Missouri and in another state, the water permit holder shall consent to the conditions imposed by the Director.

At the request of the Department, the Attorney General may bring a civil action for injunctive relief in any county where defendant's principal place of business is located or where the violation occurred under the act.

The act is identical to SB 599 (2023) and similar to HCS/HB 1129 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA