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House perfects bill giving livestock owners limited access to neighbor property for fence repair
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Summary
The House perfected a committee substitute for HB2297, a 'fence bill' that would allow livestock owners limited (up to 10-foot) access onto adjacent property at the fence line to repair or maintain fences without criminal trespass liability, while preserving liability protections for property owners.
The Missouri House perfected and printed the House Committee substitute for House Bill 2,297 after floor debate on neighbor access to repair fences.
Representative from Callaway (the bill sponsor) told the House the measure aims to resolve a recurring problem for livestock owners who are legally responsible for fences but sometimes cannot lawfully reach the fence line to repair damage. "The bill says that you have the ability to go on the other side of the fence up to 10 foot," the sponsor said, adding the access is limited to the fence line and removal of trees, debris and brush interfering with fence repair. The sponsor said the provision is intended to allow repair without creating trespass liability and includes language relieving the property owner of liability for accidental injury to the repairer, while still prohibiting intentional harm.
Members asked clarifying questions about scope and limits. A questioner asked whether the bill requires the fence owner to seek permission before relying on the statute; the sponsor replied there is no statutory requirement to seek permission and said "any good neighbors would go to try to call them," but noted practical realities where owners cannot locate or contact landholders. Another member pressed whether the 10-foot limit allows removal of structures or barns; the sponsor said the bill prohibits entering sheds or barns and requires repair of any ruts or damage created by equipment.
Supporters framed the bill as correcting an imbalance between responsibility and ability to act: "As a livestock owner, you have the responsibility, but you don't have the ability to do that," the sponsor said, recounting a recent incident where fallen trees left calves loose. Opponents were not recorded making a motion that failed; the committee substitute was put to voice vote and the chair announced it was adopted. The House ordered the substitute perfected and printed.
The bill was reported to have passed relevant committees earlier in the process and sponsors noted a path to the Senate remained possible but time was a constraint. No final third‑reading roll call tally for passage to the governor was recorded in the floor transcript excerpt provided; the action recorded in this session was the committee substitute's perfection and printing.
The House moved on to subsequent business after the perfection vote.
