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Missouri House approves bill letting livestock owners enter 10 feet onto neighbor's land to repair fences
Summary
The House passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1116 on third reading after debate over property rights and public safety. The measure allows livestock owners limited entry onto adjacent property to repair or maintain fences and remove trees that obstruct fences; zoos and utilities are exempt.
The Missouri House on March 25, 2025, passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1116, a measure that allows a livestock owner to enter up to 10 feet onto adjacent property to repair, maintain or construct a livestock containment fence and to remove trees or brush on the fence line. The chamber approved the bill by a roll-call vote of 91 yeas, 31 nays and 7 present.
Supporters said the change fixes a gap exposed by recent storm damage that leaves livestock owners unable to access damaged fences without risking trespass charges. "It says you can go on the neighbor's side of the fence for 10 foot to fix, repair, or maintain. If there's a tree on the fence line, you can remove that tree or brush," the bill sponsor, the gentleman from Audrain, told the House.
Opponents argued the bill infringes on property rights. "I do disagree with the fix. I think this is an egregious violation of property rights," the gentleman from Saint Genevieve said during debate, urging colleagues to vote no and warning the measure could expand future access.
Key provisions clarified during floor discussion: the allowed entry is limited to 10 feet and only for repair, maintenance or construction of a fence; persons who enter are responsible for any damage they cause on the neighboring property (ruts, crop damage); the bill exempts zoos and railroad and utility operators; and no statutory notice requirement to the adjacent owner is written into the bill because sponsors said urgent repairs are often necessary and owners are sometimes unreachable.
Supporters emphasized public-safety risks from roaming livestock. "When they're out, you need to be able to fix that fence immediately for several reasons. They can do crop damage. They can get on the highway," the sponsor said. Other members described real incidents where damaged fences threatened livestock and road safety.
The House approved the measure on third reading. The bill's text, sponsors said, applies statewide and would not permit entry onto buildings or unrestricted access beyond the 10-foot limit.
The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
