HB 653 Summary

• Repeals and replaces nine sections of Missouri law relating to noxious weed control, allowing the director of the department of agriculture to designate noxious weeds by rule rather than specifying only Canada thistle, musk thistle, and Scotch thistle.

• Expands the list of entities responsible for controlling noxious weeds on their land to include state highways and transportation commission, state departments and agencies, county commissions, township boards, school boards, railroads, and persons supervising state-owned lands.

• Allows adjoining or aggrieved entities to initiate civil actions to recover noxious weed control costs and penalties (of $100 per offense) in addition to the prosecuting attorney, with recovered sums paid to the aggrieved entity or county control fund.

• Prohibits the sale of noxious weed species and removes provisions related to purple loosestrife permitting, replacing them with authorization for the department of agriculture to promulgate implementing rules subject to chapter 536 rulemaking procedures.

• Repeals sections establishing multiflora rose designations, county noxious weed funds and cost-share programs, and specific requirements for controlling field bindweed, teasel, kudzu vine, and spotted knapweed.