JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Ron Copeland has filed two pieces of legislation that would ensure proper oversight and accountability for state agencies that attempt to sell Missouri’s natural resources. Copeland filed both HJR 61 and HB 1104 to ensure when an agency sells the state’s natural resources that a significant portion of the proceeds benefit the county where those resources were located.
“I was shocked when I arrived in Jefferson City to learn that state agencies were selling our natural resources and keeping the proceeds from the sale,” said Copeland, R- Salem, who noted that one state agency sold approximately $2 million worth of resources in one county over a period of three years and kept all of the money. “This particular county where the resources were taken ranks near the bottom of all counties in the state economically,” he added.
Copeland noted the same agency was prepared to sell another $6 million worth of Missouri’s resources in 2022.
He said, “As an elected official I was appalled that a state agency could sell natural resources and put the revenue into their coffers with no oversight. I have continually attempted to work with our state agencies in Jefferson City, and it seems many of them feel their mission is more important than the citizens of this state.”
State Rep. Chris Dinkins, who represents the 144th district which is an area rich in natural resources, voiced her strong support for the bill. “As the state representative for an area that would benefit greatly from the revenue generated by the sale of our own resources, I think it’s imperative that we keep these dollars at home where they can strengthen our communities and improve the quality of education we provide to our young people,” said Dinkins, R-Annapolis. She added, “I’m disappointed our state agencies have instead chosen to profit off of our resources and in turn made our poorest communities even poorer. I want to thank Representative Copeland for offering commonsense legislation that will allow my district to keep these dollars in our communities where they can do the most good.”
Copeland said he filed HJR 61 to give the voters of Missouri an opportunity to decide if state agencies should be allowed to profit from the sale of the state’s resources. He filed HB 1104 as a companion bill that would allocate the funds received from the sale of Missouri’s natural resources. Under Copeland’s bill, 25 percent of the proceeds would go to the state agency for administrative costs, but 50 percent would go directly to the county in which the resources were taken, and 25 percent would go to the school district in that county.
“It is unacceptable for a state agency to take and profit from the sale of our natural resources. I am confident that most Missourians agree with me and will support HJR 61 to provide some proper oversight for these currently unregulated sales,” said Copeland. “Without question the communities where these resources exist should benefit from their sale. This is an issue of common sense and fairness, and I am going to fight for these communities to ensure they get what they deserve.”