MO HB1917

Owners of 50% or more of land within a public water supply district may petition circuit court for expedited detachment if: no voters reside in the territory, no district water lines or facilities exist on the property, and no general obligation bonds are outstanding.

Applies only to districts in charter counties that are adjacent to a county adjoining an independent city (St. Louis), with two or more public water supply districts in existence as of August 28, 2026.

Election authorities must certify voter residency status within 30 days; district boards must verify absence of facilities and bonds within 30 days, or courts will presume conditions are met.

Courts must hold public hearings and issue detachment orders within 120 days of petition filing; petitioners bear all costs of the proceedings.

Public water supply districts meeting the same geographic criteria must accept monetary gifts/donations and apply them first to pay outstanding federal government debt, and must facilitate third-party payments toward such debt.