A provision in Missouri's SB890 removes an independent committee that helped small businesses navigate air-permit rules—and child care owners should understand what that means.
Most Missouri child care owners don't realize that a technical assistance program designed to help them comply with air-permit rules just lost a key layer of support. A provision buried in SB890—a bill focused on repealing expired and obsolete laws—eliminates the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, narrowing the scope of what assistance is available to small businesses like child care facilities.
Under the previous law, Missouri maintained a Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee that worked alongside the state's air-permit technical assistance program. This committee did three specific things: it reviewed how air-quality enforcement actions affected small businesses, it received reports from an ombudsman assigned to the program, and it recommended changes to rules and compliance relief options.
SB890 eliminates that committee entirely. What remains is a narrower technical assistance program that can only advise small businesses on permit applications and the statutory provisions that govern them. There is no longer an independent committee to recommend compliance relief, review enforcement impacts, or push back on rules that may be unnecessarily burdensome for small operations.
Child care facilities often fall under air-quality regulations because of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems—and sometimes because of emergency backup generators or other equipment. Navigating these rules requires understanding both the technical requirements and the practical realities of running a small business.
The old committee structure gave small business owners a voice in how those rules were applied and enforced. If a rule created an unreasonable burden, the committee could recommend relief. If enforcement was hitting small businesses disproportionately hard, the committee could flag that. That independent review is now gone.
The remaining technical assistance program can still help you understand what your permit requires and how to apply for one. But there's no longer a formal mechanism for small businesses to collectively raise concerns about whether those requirements make sense or are being enforced fairly.
The change takes effect upon enactment of SB890, which passed in the 2026 legislative session. The provision is found in Section 643.173 on page 72 of the bill.
If your child care facility is subject to air-quality permits, continue using the state's technical assistance program for guidance on applications and compliance. But understand that the independent committee that once advocated for small business concerns is no longer part of that system. If you believe a rule is creating an unreasonable burden, you may need to pursue relief through other channels—such as direct contact with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources or working with your industry association.
For a detailed summary of SB890's provisions affecting small business, contact your local child care trade association or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.