The first day of filing new bills for the next legislative session was last Friday, Dec. 1st.

You might find it interesting to know that legislation in the pipeline from the last session is simply tossed out the window and every year we start over. Last Friday I filed eight pieces of legislation, four were identical to legislation filed in previous years. By the time the filing process is over, the House members will collectively file over 700 pieces of legislation for review.

Some of the legislation filed by other legislators will be controversial.

The purpose is generally to bring some attention to the bill sponsor. 2024 is an election year and many legislators want the attention and the publicity. Those controversial bills take a lot of air out of a room and steal valuable time from those meat and potato bills that deserve a committee hearing and debate time on the floor.

One of the bills I’ve filed is HB1555, the intent is to halt the sale of invasive plant species. This legislation focuses on wholesale and retail plant sellers and does not implicate those of us who already own land infested with unwanted invasive plants.

Highly invasive plants can plague grassland, pastures, right of ways, and woodlots. They threaten the economic stability of forest products, crop yields, animal production, and other outdoor industries. Those unwelcomed plants are costly and time-consuming for Missouri landowners, both urban and rural, to control.

When passed, the Missouri Department of Agriculture will enforce the legislation, issuing violations to those that intentionally sell invasive plants. While some would say it’s too late to stop the sale of many plants species, their further distribution can be still managed. In addition to those plants that can’t be sold, there will be a longer list of plants that require labeling to indicate they are “Potentially Invasive.”

We have been working on this legislation for two years. The final version of the bill is still to be determined.

Amendments and committee substitutions are likely as the bill moves through the process. In addition to input from the Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Missouri Invasive Plant Council, and Missouri Cattlemen, more than 90 groups from the fields of agriculture, horticulture, conservation, and the general public have contributed to the formation of this legislation.

I’m grateful to the many individuals and organizations that continue to provide insight to make this legislation better and the Missouri landscape healthier.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at bruce.sassmann@house.mo.gov or call Jill Ryals @ 573-751-6668.

We look forward to hearing from you.