The 2024 Missouri legislative session ended on May 17. Unfortunately, Missouri House Bill 2412 and Missouri Senate Bill 1281, to prohibit the sale of select invasive plants*, are now dead because they were not scheduled for votes on the House or the Senate floors.
While this is disappointing, it is not unusual. On a positive note, the House bill passed out of committee with a 9 to 1 vote and the Senate bill passed out of committee unanimously. Both bills generated much media coverage and overall awareness among Missourians about the threats that invasive plants pose to Missouri’s native habitats, working lands, land management, and outdoor recreation.
The Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), administered by the Missouri Prairie Foundation, advocated for the passage of these bills, with the MoIP Chair, Vice Chair, Council members, and other supporters providing testimony at public hearings. Many thanks to all who contacted Missouri state elected officials in support of HB 2412 and SB 1281.
MoIP will encourage the sponsors of the 2024 bills to sponsor similar bills in the 2025 legislative session and will be ready to provide input if requested. Stay tuned to MoIP for updates.
*Burning bush (Euonymus alatus), Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana and its cultivars, including Bradford and Chanticleer), climbing euonymus (Euonymus fortunei; also known as wintercreeper, pictured below); Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata).
