JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his final actions on bills passed by the first regular session of the 98th General Assembly, including signing House Bill 92, an omnibus natural resources bill that changes current law to account for any future hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” activities that may take place in Missouri.
“Across the country, the use of hydraulic fracturing activities to extract oil and natural gas has increased dramatically,” Gov. Nixon said. “While we do not yet have significant hydraulic fracturing activities occurring in Missouri, it is vital that we have a regulatory structure in place to ensure that any fracking that does ultimately occur is done safely and responsibly.”
Among other provisions, the bill adds to the current definition of “oil” to include that which is extracted through fracking so that such oil is subject to the oversight of the Oil and Gas Council; creates an “Oil and Gas Resources Fund” within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to receive and spend funds collected through the permitting of oil and gas exploration efforts; and authorizes DNR to conduct a comprehensive review of fracking potential and activity, and to recommend to the Oil and Gas Council a fee structure.
The bill also makes changes relating to solid waste management districts and compliance with sulfur dioxide emission standards. The Governor also signed Senate Bill 445, which contains similar provisions.
In addition to Senate Bill 445 and House Bill 92, the Governor has also signed Senate Bill 373, which creates the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Fund for the administration of liquor control laws and laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors, and any other duties relating to licensing, training, technical assistance and regulations.
The Governor will allow House Bill 137, which modifies the bidding process for Department of Revenue fee office contractors, to become law without his signature.
