SB 849 - The act provides that there shall be a moratorium on the construction of new and current solar projects in the state beginning the effective date of the act. The Department of Natural Resources shall promulgate rules concerning environmental issues with respect to the construction, placement, and operation of a solar project.
The moratorium shall end on December 31, 2027. However, if the Department does not promulgate the rules before such date, the moratorium shall continue until such rules have been promulgated.
This act has an emergency clause.
JULIA SHEVELEVA
Statutes affected: Introduced (5631S.03):
393.2180
Senate Committee Minutes: SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 849
Sponsor: O'Laughlin
Hearing Date: 2/3/2026
COMMITTEE: Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
CHAIRMAN: Cierpiot
DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 1/14/2026
STAFF:
Bryce Beal
Heidi Osner
Michelle Pleus
Julia Sheveleva
WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
Kurt Schaffer - Missouri Department of Nature Resoures
Laurer Holloway - Missouri Municipal Leauge
Charles Cortey - Missouri Native Standship Series
Shannon Cooper - Missouri Cattlemen's Association
Stephen Daune - Association Commissioner Cape Girardeau County
COMMITTEE: Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
CHAIRMAN: Cierpiot
DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 1/14/2026
WITNESSES FOR:
Dale Butler - Farmer
Heather Lanage - Farmer
Kurtis Butler - Farmer
Melanie Thurnay - Farmer
Cody Harts - Farmer
Lisa Shecks - Farmer
Brent Southard - Farmer
Ralph Bouch - Farmer
Louis Boucher - Farmer
Patrick Kleffner - Western District
Charles Martin - Farmer
Stacey Martin - Farmer
Michael Martin - Farmer
Krystal Martin - Farmer
Benjamin Simpson - Farmer
Connie Shoemaker - Farmer
Charles Crawford - Farmer
Vic Stratman - Maries County Commissioner
Melissa Grisham - Farmer
Clay McDaniel - Farmer
Sara McDaniel - Farmer
Isaiah Gehlert - Farmer
Tonya Stanford - Macon County
James Eeymack - Farmer
Jon Adamson - Farmer
Arnie Dienoff - Public Advocate
Molly Eiken - Farmer
Betsy Bell - Farmer
Greg Westhusing - Walker Township/ Henry County
Marilyn O'Bannon - Farmer
Bailey Carter - Self
Mark Taylor - Farmer
Ike Skelton - Camden County
Sonia Taylor - Farmer
Robin Crane - Farmer
Mark Harson - Henry County Commissioner
Josiah Town - Citizen
Catherine Vogelwird - Citizen
Douglas Westhaes - Farmer
Amy Castro - Act for Missouri
COMMITTEE: Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
CHAIRMAN: Cierpiot
DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 1/14/2026
WITNESSES AGAINST:
Paul Beuserinck - Self
Frances Balb - Solar Advocate
Maxi Glamour - Citizen
Carolyn Niswonger - Sierra Club Missouri Chapter
Elyse Schaffer - Missouri Coalition for the Environment
Rusty Reed - Solar Farmer
Jim Gwinner - Doral Renables
David Gerken - Solar Farmer
Lori Imhoff - Solar Farmer
Mark Watter - Citizen
Jeff Stack - Mid Mo Fellowship of Reconciliation
Noel Torpey - Arevon Energy
Zach Monroe - Ameren Missouri
James Owen - Renew Missouri
Jason Edwards - Personal Development Company
John Coffmen - Eylictric Partyer
Waylon Brown - Clean Grid Alliance
Dane Reed - Self
David Bunge - Azimuth Renewables
William Hatch - MO NECA and Guarantee electric Company
Bob Cooper - Myself
Cheryl Marcum - Self
Mark Brady - Polsinelli
Alan Anderson - Polsinelli
Mark Dalton - Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council