Missouri approves Amendment 1 funding

Missouri voters approved Amendment 1 in the August 4 primary, renewing for another decade the state’s one-tenth-of-one-percent sales and use tax for state parks, historic sites, and soil and water conservation. The measure continues an existing tax rather than creating a new one, according to the Missouri Secretary of State’s ballot language. (sos.mo.gov) State officials said the levy generates roughly $136 million to $140 million a year, with the money dedicated to parks and conservation rather than general revenue. (dnr.mo.gov) The result keeps in place one of the main funding streams behind Missouri’s free admission policy at state parks. ### What exactly did voters approve? Amendment 1 asked whether Missouri should continue for 10 years the existing one-tenth-of-one-percent sales and use tax used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites. The official ballot title said the measure would then be resubmitted to voters again in 10 years. The Missouri Secretary of State’s fair ballot language said a “yes” vote continued the tax for 10 years and that passage would not increase or decrease taxes. The measure was on the statewide ballot in the August 4, 2026 primary election. (sos.mo.gov) ### How strong was the vote? The Missouri Department of Natural Resources said the tax was approved by approximately 82% of voters and passed in every county. KCUR reported earlier that the measure was projected to win with more than 80% of the vote. Missouri has repeatedly renewed the tax since voters first approved it in 1984 as a constitutional amendment. (sos.mo.gov) The Department of Natural Resources says voters reapproved it in 1988, 1996, 2006, 2016 and now 2026. ### Where does the money go? (sos.mo.gov) The Missouri Department of Natural Resources said the revenue is split evenly between two uses: support for Missouri state parks and historic sites, and soil and water conservation practices. The department described the tax as a dedicated statewide funding source. (dnr.mo.gov) State ballot materials estimated the tax generates about $140 million annually. In its August 4 statement, the Department of Natural Resources put the annual figure at $136 million. (dnr.mo.gov) ### Why is park access part of this story? Missouri officials said the tax helps support 93 state parks and historic sites. The Department of Natural Resources also said Missouri is one of only eight states that allows free access to all of its state parks and historic sites. (dnr.mo.gov) KCUR reported before the election that the tax is widely cited as the funding mechanism that allows Missouri to keep park admission free. The outlet said Amendment 1 was a renewal of a long-running levy tied to the state park system and conservation programs. (sos.mo.gov) ### What did state officials say after the vote? Kurt Schaefer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, said in a department statement on August 4 that the agency was “very honored” by the result and said voters understood how the money is spent. Governor Mike Kehoe, in a statement dated August 5, thanked the department and agriculture and conservation partners for backing the extension. (dnr.mo.gov) Kehoe said funding for parks and soil conservation that is “not subject to the ups and downs of general revenue” benefits Missourians. (kcur.org) Schaefer said the department would look to the future for state parks, historic sites, and soil and water conservation. ### What happens next? The tax remains in place under the constitutional renewal approved on August 4, and state agencies will continue using the dedicated revenue stream for parks, historic sites, and soil and water programs. Under the ballot language, the measure must go back to Missouri voters for approval again in 10 years. (dnr.mo.gov) (sos.mo.gov)