Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
                     HOUSE CONCURRENT
                      RESOLUTION NO. 17
                             103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
                              INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE REED.
    2808H.01I                                                               JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk



           WHEREAS, Missouri is uniquely positioned, with abundant natural resources, fertile
farmland, and innovative communities, to lead the nation in advancing sustainable economic
growth and job creation; and
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       WHEREAS, the health and prosperity of Missouri families and farmers are
dependent on clean air, clean water, and fertile soil, which are under threat from increasing
environmental challenges; and
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       WHEREAS, Missouri's agricultural sector, small businesses, and energy producers
have the potential to benefit from investments in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure,
and climate-resilient farming practices; and
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       WHEREAS, transitioning to a clean energy economy presents an opportunity to
create thousands of good-paying jobs, strengthen rural communities, and reduce the reliance
on out-of-state energy imports; and
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       WHEREAS, the long-term cost of inaction on climate change will disproportionately
harm Missouri's farmers, workers, and vulnerable populations through increased flooding,
droughts, and other extreme weather events:
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       NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of
Representatives of the One Hundred Third General Assembly, First Regular Session, the
Senate concurring therein, are committed to supporting clean energy and job creation by
supporting legislation that:
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HCR 17                                             2

         (1) Expands solar, wind, and bioenergy production to generate one-hundred percent of
 Missouri's electricity from renewable sources by 2040, prioritizing rural areas for project
 development;
         (2) Establishes training programs for renewable energy installation, maintenance, and
 manufacturing in partnership with Missouri's community colleges and vocational schools;
         (3) Incentivizes farmers to install wind turbines, solar panels, and biogas systems on
 their land, creating supplemental income streams and boosting energy independence; and
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        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general assembly commits to encouraging
 climate-resilient agriculture by creating programs that:
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        (1) Provide grants and tax credits for farmers who adopt cover cropping, no-till
 farming, and crop rotation practices to sequester carbon and reduce erosion;
        (2) Expand funding for irrigation efficiency programs and promote buffer zones
 around rivers to protect water quality; and
        (3) Invest in local food supply chains and farmers' markets to reduce emissions
 associated with long-distance transportation and support Missouri farmers; and
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        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general assembly is committed to
 supporting infrastructure and transportation by:
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         (1) Upgrading bridges, roads, and levees to withstand extreme weather events,
 ensuring safety for communities and reliability for commerce;
         (2) Supporting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by expanding EV charging
 infrastructure across the state, particularly in rural areas, and offering incentives for EV
 purchases; and
         (3) Investing in efficient public transportation systems in Missouri's urban centers to
 reduce emissions and improve accessibility; and
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         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general assembly urges the protection of
 natural resources and communities by:
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         (1) Increasing funding for flood mitigation projects and community resilience plans,
 particularly in flood-prone regions along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers;
         (2) Expanding state conservation initiatives to preserve forests, wetlands, and
 grasslands, which play a critical role in carbon sequestration and wildlife protection; and
HCR 17                                            3

        (3) Ensuring that underserved communities disproportionately affected by pollution
 and climate change receive priority access to clean energy investments and infrastructure
 improvements; and
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         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general assembly is committed to taking
 steps to support the goals outlined in this resolution by:
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         (1) Encouraging private sector investment in clean energy and infrastructure through
 state-supported tax incentives and grants;
         (2) Establishing renewable energy and climate-resilient agriculture as priorities in
 Missouri's rural development zones, boosting local economies while addressing
 environmental challenges;
         (3) Ensuring that every program or policy under this resolution is implemented in a
 way that minimizes costs and maximizes economic benefits for Missouri taxpayers;
         (4) Establishing a council of Missouri farmers, energy producers, and small business
 leaders to advise on the implementation of renewable energy and agricultural programs; and
         (5) Requiring the Department of Conservation, working in conjunction with the
 Department of Natural Resources and any other necessary departments, to submit an annual
 report to the General Assembly on the progress of renewable energy adoption, job creation,
 and environmental outcomes; and
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         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general assembly recognizes and supports
 efforts to establish a Heartland Initiative in order to ensure that the state's economy,
 environment, and communities thrive for generations to come; and
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         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of
 Representatives be instructed to prepare and properly inscribe a copy of this resolution to
 send to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
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