MO HB964

Courts are prohibited from issuing injunctions to stop or delay construction of state-licensed animal slaughter or processing facilities based on challenges to permits, licenses, or certificates under environmental or inspection laws.

Anyone filing an action against an animal slaughter or processing facility's operation who does not prevail is liable for all financial losses the facility suffers if an injunction halts operations during the legal proceedings.

Persons filing court actions to challenge facility licenses or permits must post a surety bond equal to 20 percent of the estimated construction or operational costs, unless they are indigent; failure to post the bond within 30 days results in dismissal of the action.

Court actions challenging facility approvals must be filed in the circuit court where the facility is located and can proceed in any county court if the facility spans multiple counties.

Courts may award attorney fees and costs to defendants if they determine a challenge action was without merit or filed for improper purposes such as harassment, delay, or interference with facility operations.