Section 21.475

Title III LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Chapter 21

Effective - 28 Aug 1995, 2 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  21.475.  Wetlands committee created, members — contracts with certain entities, com-mittee approval, when — hearings, reimburse-ment, staff assistance. — 1. Because wetlands are a vital natural resource and wetland conversion is of vital interest to Missouri farmers, conservationists, and landowners, for oversight of various activities of the department of natural resources and other agencies, the senate and the house of representatives shall establish a "Joint Committee on Wetlands", composed of five members of the senate, appointed by the president pro tem of the senate, and five members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house. Not more than three members appointed by the president pro tem and not more than three members appointed by the speaker of the house shall be from the same political party. Any state department or agency except the department of conservation and the department of transportation shall obtain the approval of the joint committee on wetlands prior to entering into a contract with any entity of the government or any private entity to conduct any activity relating to the definition, preservation or restoration of wetlands. Each department, division and agency of state government shall provide any information relating to the state's wetlands to the joint committee on wetlands upon request of the committee.

  2. The committee may hold hearings and conduct investigations within the state as it deems advisable, and the members shall receive no additional compensation, other than reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The staff of the committee on legislative research, house research, and senate research shall provide necessary clerical, research, fiscal and legal services to the committee, as the committee may request.

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(L. 1992 H.B. 1393, A.L. 1995 S.B. 376)