Proposal to change Conservation Commission governance and redirect sales-tax surplus draws broad opposition at committee hearing

Representative Don Mayhew introduced House Joint Resolution 43, proposing changes to the Missouri Conservation Commission’s composition and to how conservation sales-tax revenues are used.

Mayhew said the resolution would allow the legislature to require a commission composition that includes representation from each congressional district (and ownership to rotate seats by district), add gift restrictions for commissioners, and direct portions of the conservation sales-tax revenue — he proposed 10% for state parks and 10% to counties with conservation land — to other public uses. Mayhew said the commission had accumulated very large reserves (he cited a 97% fund balance figure for 2022 in his materials) and argued that excess funds should be used for related public purposes or returned to the people.

Supporters who testified included Arnie C. ACDinoff,…