Missouri lawmaker seeks coordinated strategy to grow critical-minerals industry

Rep. Mike Steinmeier (District 20) told the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development that House Bill 2510 would create “a coordinated, accountable framework” among the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Economic Development and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to map, permit, train and incentivize advanced manufacturing tied to critical minerals.

Steinmeier said Missouri already holds 36 of the 60 minerals the U.S. Geological Survey has identified as critical to national security and supply chains for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy and defense. The legislation would establish performance-based tools and include a five-year sunset clause to ensure “accountability and measurable return on investment,” he said.

Representative questions focused on cost, who would pay and what the bill actually establishes. Representative Allen asked whether the framework expects federal funding to cover the work; Steinmeier replied the bill creates state structure to apply for federal grants and that state and federal dollars would be combined. Committee members also pressed whether the bill creates a new fund or primarily sets up a task force and who would staff or sit on it.

Several lawmakers raised concerns about the task force’s membership. One member pointed out language naming the commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on the task force and asked whether that should instead refer to the Department of Higher Education; Steinmeier acknowledged the question and said he would check the language and bring any needed amendment.

Witnesses who spoke in support included Chance Hepla of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who said the chamber supports measures to spur state economic development around critical minerals and reiterated the sponsor’s point that Missouri “holds 36 of the 60 critical minerals identified by the USGS.”

Maxine Gill, testifying for the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, welcomed inclusion of the Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Geological Survey but urged adding an environmental professional seat to the task force. Gill warned Missouri lacks a permitting framework for mining, said heavy metals such as lead often co-occur with minerals like cobalt and can pose health risks to neighboring communities, and suggested consideration of Representative Woods’ HB 2737 as a possible regulatory complement.

The committee did not take a vote; the hearing concluded without formal action.

What’s next: the sponsor said he would review the task-force language and fiscal assumptions and return with clarifications or amendment language as needed.