Rep. Richard West

Maddy summaryHJR 111 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow specific school districts (like Kansas City Public Schools) with 1995 federal court-ordered property tax rates to set lower annual tax rates without voter approval. It requires voter approval for tax rates equal to or higher than the 1995 court rate. For 2027, districts must set tax rates to maintain 2026 revenue levels plus a Consumer Price Index-based increase. This amendment expires December 31, 2026, and applies only to districts with court-ordered levies from 1995.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 would prohibit health care providers from performing gender transition surgeries or prescribing cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs to individuals under 18 for the purpose of gender transition, with exceptions for medically verified disorders of sex development. Violations could result in license revocation for providers and allow lawsuits seeking up to three times the damages (with a $500,000 minimum) for harm like infertility. The bill also creates a legal presumption of harm for infertility linked to such treatments, allowing lawsuits to be filed within 15 years of the minor turning 21. This legislation is currently pending in committee after recent hearings and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 2429 requires cities, towns, villages, and Missouri's Department of Transportation to reimburse non-rate-regulated utility providers - including broadband companies, telecom providers, and cable operators - for costs incurred when road maintenance or construction projects require relocating their facilities. Municipalities must include these relocation costs as part of the project budget rather than charging the utilities directly. The law specifically applies to utilities not subject to state rate regulation, such as internet service providers and cable operators. This policy shifts the financial responsibility for facility relocations from private utilities to public infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryHB 893 requires all peace officers (except conservation agents) to complete at least four hours of specific training on officer-canine encounters and canine behaviors as part of their basic law enforcement training. This training covers understanding canine behavior, handling unplanned encounters, humane handling methods, relevant state laws, force continuum principles related to canines, and nonlethal defense strategies. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers in Missouri who undergo basic training for licensure. This policy change mandates concrete, standardized instruction to improve officer safety and appropriate responses during canine interactions.

Maddy summaryHB 1252 requires prosecuting and circuit attorneys to submit standardized annual reports by March 1st detailing case data. The reports must include aggregate, nonpersonally identifying information on intake (arrests, referrals, dismissals), dispositions (diversion, pleas, trial outcomes), and sentencing (incarceration, jail, probation) for each offense category. These reports must be made publicly available upon request and submitted to the governor, attorney general, and relevant legislative committees. The bill directly affects prosecutors' offices by mandating uniform data collection and reporting on how cases are handled. It aims to create consistent, accessible public records of prosecutorial activity without altering legal procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1426 adds a seventh circuit judge position to the 11th judicial circuit, effective August 28, 2025, creating a new Division 17. This increases the total number of circuit judges in the 11th circuit from six to seven, with the new position designated as Division 17. The bill also converts existing family court and treatment court commissioner roles into associate circuit judge positions in Divisions 9, 10, and a new associate role, but does not alter court policies or procedures. The change is purely structural, affecting only the staffing and division numbering within the 11th judicial circuit.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove Missouri's state constitutional barriers that might otherwise prevent enforcement of federal laws against child pornography and criminal racketeering. It explicitly states that Missouri law cannot block enforcement of federal prohibitions on possessing/distributing child pornography or engaging in federal racketeering crimes. The amendment grants state and local governments authority to outlaw and punish these specific federal violations, and allows any individual to sue violators (or those aiding them) to obtain court orders and recover attorney fees. It directly affects individuals violating federal child pornography or racketeering laws, and Missouri's legal system in enforcing those federal standards.

Maddy summaryHB 664 requires Missouri state agencies to obtain legislative approval before new administrative rules take effect. Specifically, agencies must submit proposed rules to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which can hold hearings and suspend rules costing over $250,000 until the full General Assembly votes on them. Rules cannot become effective until the legislature approves them via a concurrent resolution, with a 30-day waiting period after committee review. This change ensures all significant agency rules undergo direct legislative scrutiny before implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 829 legalizes psilocybin-assisted therapy for specific veterans in Missouri under strict conditions. It directly affects Missouri veterans aged 21+ with PTSD, major depression, substance use disorders, or end-of-life care needs who enroll in approved research studies. Key provisions require physician documentation, use of trained facilitators (like licensed therapists or nurses), lab testing of psilocybin, and limits of 150mg per year. The bill also provides legal protections for providers and researchers, mandates annual reports to the legislature, and prohibits disclosure of participant information to federal authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 433's title about "storage and use of gold and silver" is inaccurate - the bill is actually a Missouri income tax modification. It adjusts how Missouri calculates taxable income by adding back certain items excluded from federal taxable income, such as: 1) Federal tax refunds that created Missouri tax benefits (excluding pandemic-related refunds), 2) Interest on some government bonds, 3) Specific deductions for property purchases (2002-2003), and 4) Net operating loss carryforwards. It also subtracts certain items added back (like state tax refunds or military combat zone income) to prevent double taxation. The bill directly affects all Missouri individual income taxpayers by changing their taxable income calculation relative to federal rules.