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Missouri Sales Tax for Parks and Conservation Amendment (2026)
| Missouri Sales Tax for Parks and Conservation Amendment | |
|---|---|
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| Election date |
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| Topic Parks, land, and natural area conservation and Sales taxes |
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| Status On the ballot |
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| Type Automatic ballot referral |
Origin |
The Missouri Sales Tax for Parks and Conservation Measure will appear the November 3, 2026, ballot in Missouri as an automatic ballot referral.
A "yes" vote supports renewing the existing sales and use tax of 0.1% for 10 years to fund state parks and soil and water conservation programs. |
A "no" vote opposes renewing the existing sales and use tax of 0.1% for 10 years to fund state parks and soil and water conservation programs. |
Overview
What would this amendment do?
This amendment would renew the existing sales and use tax of 0.1 percent for 10 years. The revenue from the tax goes toward state parks and soil and water conservation efforts.[1]
According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, approximately half of the revenue generated from the tax is allocated to conserving soil and water resources within the state, and that the tax has generated over $772 million in revenue.[2]
Does this amendment get automatically referred to the ballot?
This amendment was automatically referred to the 2026 ballot. The measure originated with a 1984 constitutional amendment. Due to the wording of this original amendment and subsequent iterations, the measure needed to be renewed by voters. It is automatically referred to the ballot every 10 years. Previous versions of this amendment were approved in 1988, 1996, 2006, and 2016.[2]
Text of measure
Constitutional changes
- See also: Section 47 of Article IV of the Missouri Constitution
The amendment would repeal and replace Section 47(c) of Article IV of the Missouri Constitution. The current text is as follows:[2]
Support
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Opposition
Ballotpedia has not located a campaign in opposition to the ballot measure. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
Background
History of the sales tax for parks and conservation
On August 7, 1984, 50.1% of voters approved Conservation Sales Tax, which established a sales tax of one-tenth of 1%, one-half to be used for state park purposes; one-half for soil and water conservation purposes. The issue was placed on the ballot by the Citizens Committee for Soil, Water and State Parks, which was established in 1983.[1]
According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, approximately half of the revenue generated from the tax was allocated to conserving soil and water resources within the state. The major portion of this allocation for soil and water conservation was utilized to provide assistance to agricultural landowners. This assistance was facilitated through programs established by the Soil and Water Districts Commission, which were administered by the Soil and Water Conservation Program across the 114 counties in Missouri. The Conservation Tax had totaled over $772 million since 1984, according to the Missouri Department of Natural resources.[1]
Voter approval of renewal of the sales tax for parks and conservation
The sales tax for parks and conservation that voters approved in 1984 was designed to expire without voter renewal. In 1988, over 68% of voters favored extending the tax for 10 years via Amendment 7. In 1996, 66% of voters supported Amendment 8, which extended the tax for 10 additional years. In 2006, 70% of voters approved an extension via Amendment 1. And in 2016, 79.88% of voters approved to extend the sales tax.
The following table summarizes each renewal amendment:
| Amendment | Year | Percent “Yes” | Percent “No” |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 7 | 1988 | 68.66% | 31.34% |
| Amendment 8 | 1996 | 66.61% | 33.39% |
| Amendment 1 | 2006 | 70.79% | 29.21% |
| Amendment 1 | 2016 | 79.88% | 20.12% |
| Average | 71.48% | 28.51% |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Missouri Constitution
Either chamber of the Missouri General Assembly is allowed to propose an amendment. A majority of members in both chambers must approve it in order to refer the measure to the ballot. If the measure is approved by a simple majority of voters, it becomes part of the Missouri Constitution.
This amendment is a reauthorization of the sales and use tax originally passed in 1984 and last approved in 2006. Every 10 years, this measure is automatically put before the voters for approval.
How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Missouri
See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Missouri.
See also
View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in Missouri.
Explore Missouri's ballot measure history, including
Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Missouri Department of Natural Resources, "History of the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax," accessed July 25, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Missouri Secretary of State, "Missouri Constitution," accessed July 21, 2023
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source.
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State - Elections and Voting, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed April 4, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Missouri Secretary of State, "Register to Vote," accessed April 4, 2023
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ BillTrack50, "MO HB1878," accessed April 4, 2023
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "FAQs Voter Registration," accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "How To Vote," accessed August 27, 2024
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Do I need an ID to vote?" accessed April 3, 2023
