Rep. Craig Redmon Withdraws Bill to Repeal Conservation Sales Tax
Jefferson City, Mo. | January 31, 2015 – The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) commends Representative Craig Redmon (District 4) for withdrawing HJR 8. This potentially devastating bill proposed a constitutional provision repealing the Conservation Sales and Use Tax.
Passed in 1976 by Missouri citizens, the Conservation Sales and Use Tax represents the majority of conservation funding within Missouri. In 2014, the 1/8 of 1 percent sales tax provided $107,076,440 for Missouri’s forest, fish and wildlife.
“Conservationists across Missouri commend Representative Redmon for withdrawing HJR 8. A repeal of the Conservation Sales Tax would devastate Missouri’s outdoors and our outdoor heritage,” said Brandon Butler, Executive Director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. “Conservation has a significant economic impact on Missouri. We are glad Rep. Redmon recognized this fact and withdrew his bill.”
While Rep. Redmon’s bill was considered one of the most threatening, significant legislative threats still remain. Some of these include:
- SB 56 (Munzlinger) – Eliminates hunting, fishing and trapping permit fees for Missouri residents.
- SJR 1 (Munzlinger) – Modifies the membership composition and terms of service of the commissioners on the Conservation Commission.
- SB 178 (Munzlinger) – Modifies provisions relating to captive cervids.
- SB 337 (Munzlinger) – Bans the Conservation Commission and the Department of Conservation from engaging in prohibited conduct with a connected not-for-profit corporation.
- HJR 27 (Spencer) – Proposes a constitutional amendment reducing the sales tax from 1/8 of a cent to 1/16 of a cent.
- HJR 28 (Spencer) – Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the conservation sales tax to be approved by voters every 10 years.
- HB 315 (Brown) – Requires the Department of Conservation to conduct testing of deceased deer found along state highways for chronic wasting disease.
- HB 316 (Brown) – Requires Conservation Commission members to register as lobbyists upon appointment by the Governor and to follow all lobbyist rules and regulations.
- HB 317 (Brown) – Requires the Department of Conservation to reimburse automobile owners up to $500 for damages inflicted upon their vehicles by deer.
- HB 479 (Houghton) – Exempts data collected by state agencies under the federal Animal Disease Traceability Program from disclosure under Missouri’s Sunshine Law.
- HB 710 (Basye) – Allows nonresidents who own property or pay income taxes in Missouri to receive resident hunting and fishing permit privileges.
- HB 763 (Houghton) – Prohibits the Conservation Commission and the Department of Conservation from engaging in prohibited conduct with a connected not-for-profit corporation.
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Contact: Emma Kessinger, 573-634-2322, ekessinger@confedmo.org
CFM Magazine
