MO HB1974

Allows regulated entities to receive penalty reductions or waivers if they voluntarily discover environmental noncompliance through an environmental audit or compliance management system and disclose it to the Department of Natural Resources within 21 days.

Eliminates civil penalties (except recovery of economic benefits) and shields entities from criminal prosecution recommendations if all nine conditions in section 640.330 are met, including voluntary discovery, timely disclosure, correction within 60 days, and no similar violations in the previous 3-5 years.

Prohibits the Department of Natural Resources, Attorney General, and prosecutors from using environmental audit reports to initiate civil or criminal investigations unless they have an independent reason to believe noncompliance occurred.

Requires entities to establish a compliance management system with documented policies, employee training, monitoring mechanisms, and corrective action procedures to qualify for penalty relief.

Makes all compliance agreements and supporting documentation publicly available, and preserves the right of private parties to bring lawsuits for environmental damage caused by noncompliance.