Under the act, each Commission member shall serve in a manner consistent with the provisions of Missouri Clean Water Law. The Commission shall be comprised of the following members:

- One member, instead of at least two, shall be knowledgeable about agriculture;

- One member, instead of at least two, shall be knowledgeable about the needs of industry or mining;

- One member shall be knowledgeable about the needs of publicly owned wastewater treatment works; and

- Four members, instead of no more than four, shall represent the public.

At the first meeting of the Commission and annually thereafter, instead of at yearly intervals as currently provided, the members shall select a chairman and a vice chairman.

The Governor shall not appoint any person who has a substantial interest in certain business entities if located in the state. The Commission shall establish rules specifying when members shall exempt themselves from participating in discussions and from voting on issues due to potential conflict of interest. Specifics relating to the resolution of a conflict of interest are described in the act.

Any Commission member absent from four, instead of six, consecutive regular commission meetings shall be deemed to have resigned and the vacancy shall be filled immediately.

The act is identical to SB 1419 (2024) and HB 2853 (2024).

JULIA SHEVELEVA