Mo. Lawmakers Pass Limits on Farm Lawsuits
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - The Missouri Legislature has sent the governor a bill that would limit nuisance lawsuits against farms. The legislation caps the damages to property owners who file multiple suits against the same farming operation at the fair market value of their affected property.
Lawmakers gave the bill final approval Thursday. Sponsoring Rep. Casey Guernsey, a Harrison County Republican, says the legislation will protect agricultural producers against being forced out of business by multiple lawsuits. Critics say the legislation could allow large-scale hog farms that produce foul odors to move into an area and lower surrounding
property values before buying out those properties at the lower price.