MO HB597

Establishes the "Private Landowner Protection Act" as a new section 442.014 of Missouri law governing conservation easements on real property.

Defines conservation easements as nonpossessory interests that limit or obligate landowners to retain natural, scenic, open-space, agricultural, forest, recreational, or historical values of property.

Allows conservation easements to be held by governmental bodies, charitable organizations, or private individuals and entities, with rights enforceable by designated third parties.

Permits conservation easements to be created, conveyed, recorded, assigned, released, modified, or terminated like other easements and establishes they are valid regardless of whether they impose negative burdens or affirmative obligations.

Applies to easements created after the law's effective date and to pre-existing easements that would have been enforceable under the new standards, without altering terms of previously created easements.