JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Mike Parson has signed his first five bills into law as Missouri’s governor, including one that exempts small farms from parts of the state’s clean water law.
That bill, whose signing was announced in a press release Friday, also restricts when the Department of Natural Resources can regulate toxic coal ash in some landfills.
Proponents say the changes remove needless regulation. Critics say the coal ash provision could endanger Missouri’s groundwater.
Today, we signed into law HB 1831, HB 2101, SB 593, SB 594, and SB 782. Our top objective is to move Missouri forward and we are headed the right direction. The legislature should be proud of the work that was done this year. #MissouriForward #MoLeg pic.twitter.com/aKNfbVEPFA
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 22, 2018
Another bill signed into law makes disposable diapers part of the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday that occurs every August.
The Legislature passed 143 bills this year, and just over half were signed into law by former Gov. Eric Greitens hours before he resigned June 1. Dozens of proposals are still in limbo, including the state budget.