Rep. Richard West

Maddy summaryHB 3171 repeals existing penalties for failing to submit personal property lists by March 1 and redirects those penalties (including interest) to the county employees' retirement fund. The bill requires county treasurers to deposit penalties monthly into the fund and mandates assessors to maintain logs tracking penalties, waivers, and reasons for waivers. This directly affects businesses and individuals required to file personal property lists, as their penalties will now support county employee retirement benefits instead of general county funds.

Maddy summaryHB 3431 would provide pay increases to certain General Assembly staff members who hold college degrees. Specifically, it requires a 3% pay increase for staff with a bachelor's degree and a 6% increase for those with a master's or doctoral degree, based on their highest earned degree. The bill applies to roles like legislator assistants, policy directors, and chiefs of staff, and only the highest degree held qualifies for the increase. This is a procedural pay adjustment bill with no additional policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2839 requires Missouri high schools to offer a course on U.S. and Missouri government, electoral processes, and American history (including specific coverage of the racial equality movement) to all students in grades 9-12. Students must pass a statewide exam on the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions, American history, and civics to graduate, with limited exemptions for transfer students from other states. School districts must annually nominate students for recognition based on academic achievement and community service related to government and citizenship. The requirements do not apply to foreign exchange students.

Maddy summaryHB 2841 revises Missouri's statewide assessment system for public schools to focus on performance-based testing that measures problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical skills - rather than rote memorization - in subjects like reading, math, science, and history. The bill prohibits using existing tests approved under prior law and requires assessments to evaluate what students "know and can do," with scores for English learners not counted until they complete three years of instruction in English-speaking schools. It also creates a "waiver" program for schools meeting high performance standards for three consecutive years, allowing them to bypass certain testing requirements and operational rules under the "Outstanding Schools Waivers" plan. Additionally, the bill mandates alternate assessments for students with special needs to evaluate independent living skills and includes provisions for military-dependent students relocating mid-year.

Maddy summaryHB 2946 reduces Missouri's tax assessment rate for tangible personal property (like business equipment, vehicles, and inventory) over a three-year phase-in. It lowers the assessment percentage from 33.33% before 2027 to 22% in 2027, 11.11% in 2028, and 0.01% (effectively eliminating the tax) starting in 2029. This directly affects businesses and individuals who own taxable tangible personal property subject to county-level property taxes. The bill repeals the existing assessment rate in Section 137.115 of Missouri law and replaces it with these new phased reductions.

Maddy summaryHB 2838 modifies rules for credit union mergers and membership expansions. It generally limits employer groups to fewer than 3,000 members unless specific exceptions apply, such as when a group lacks resources to form its own credit union or during involuntary mergers. The director of credit unions must assess merger impacts on service areas, geographic continuity, and the ability to serve combined membership before approving. Credit unions seeking membership expansions must publicly notify the public for 10 business days, allowing written comments, with the director deciding within 10 days of the comment period.

Maddy summaryHB 2840 requires homeowners' associations (HOAs) managing residential communities to automatically dissolve 10 years after formation unless 85% of all members vote to renew them in a special election held within 90 days before the dissolution date. This applies to all HOAs (excluding condominium associations and residential cooperatives) and directly affects homeowners in communities governed by these groups, as they must actively vote to keep their HOA operational every decade. The bill mandates that renewed HOAs undergo the same 85% renewal vote requirement every 10 years thereafter, with existing HOAs over 10 years old required to hold their first renewal election by December 31, 2026. Failure to secure the 85% vote results in immediate dissolution, ending the HOA's authority and preventing new HOA formation for a decade without another 85% vote.

Maddy summaryHB 2842 modifies how commissioners are appointed to the Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority in St. Louis City and County. It reduces city-appointed commissioners from up to three to two, increases county-appointed commissioners from three to five, and sets specific residency requirements for governor-appointed commissioners (e.g., two must live in the city, two in the county). The bill also limits political party representation (no more than two same-party commissioners for city/county appointees, no more than three for governor appointees) and prohibits current elected officials from serving. These changes aim to balance representation and prevent conflicts of interest on the authority’s governing board.

Maddy summaryHB 2947 restricts how certain city-owned airports can use revenue from airport operations. It applies to cities not within a county that receive federal or state airport funding. The bill requires that all such revenue - like fees from ticket sales or rentals - must be spent only on airport-related costs, including the airport itself, the local airport system, or directly related facilities (like security or baggage systems). It prohibits using these funds for general city services or unrelated projects.

Maddy summaryHB 3145 allows licensed alcohol producers (such as wineries, breweries, and distilleries) to ship their products directly to consumers in the state for personal use, not resale. It sets monthly limits: 9 liters of distilled alcohol (like whiskey or vodka) and 18 liters of non-distilled alcohol (like beer, wine, or cider) per consumer. To ship, producers must obtain a direct shipper license, provide proof of their current license, and follow labeling, tax, and record-keeping rules. Delivery carriers must also have a license and verify the recipient's age (21+) and identity at the time of delivery.