Landowners with property adjacent to state-owned land along the Missouri River can now conduct prescribed burns on the state land if they get written permission from the appropriate state department official, as long as the burn is meant to control woody plants and manage grassland. The landowner must describe the land to be burned and provide a timeline, maintain firefighting equipment, follow all existing burning laws, and accept full liability for any damages—with the state having immunity from lawsuits related to the burn.
The amendment restructures the prescribed burning approval process by requiring explicit written consent from the department secretary or commissioner before any burning can occur, and it reorganizes the conditions into a clearer list that must be included in the written request (purpose, land description, and timeframe). This **strengthens** the state's oversight and control by making departmental approval a mandatory prerequisite rather than one of several conditions, while also clarifying the landowner's responsibilities for fire suppression and liability.
This amendment converted the bill from an engrossed (committee) version to an enrolled (final passed) version by removing the legislative markup language and adding official signature lines for the Governor, legislative leaders, and Secretary of State. The substantive content of the bill—allowing adjacent landowners to conduct prescribed burns on Missouri River-bordering state land with written departmental consent—remained unchanged.
Other amendments
Signed by the Governor H.J. 534
Delivered to the Governor H.J. 480
Signed by the President S.J. 434
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 462
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0. S.J. 400
Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0. S.J. 21
Agriculture and Natural Resources Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources S.J. 232
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 0. H.J. 264
Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0. H.J. 15
Agriculture and Natural Resources Motion to amend H.J. 15
Agriculture and Natural Resources Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 11
Do Pass Amended
Agriculture and Natural Resources — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
Agriculture and Natural Resources — Do Pass Amended