Rep. Dave Hinman

Maddy summaryHB 3210, the "Safe Neighborhoods Act," allows property owners in cities with over 100,000 residents to seek compensation from their city if the city fails to enforce laws against public camping, loitering, public intoxication, or other activities that create a public nuisance. Property owners can claim either documented costs spent to address these issues or the reduced property value caused by the city’s inaction, but compensation cannot exceed their prior year’s primary property taxes. Cities must respond to claims within 30 days; if rejected, owners can sue in court, with cities bearing the burden of proving their actions were lawful. This law creates a new legal remedy for property owners but does not replace existing legal options or apply to case-by-case prosecutorial decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3314 modifies Missouri insurance laws to allow the Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) to share confidential examination information with guaranty associations when an insurer becomes insolvent. This directly affects insurers (who must provide data), DCI (who gains new sharing authority), and guaranty associations (who receive data to protect policyholders). The key provision removes barriers preventing DCI from legally sharing sensitive exam findings during an insurer's failure, using existing examination reports. This change ensures guaranty associations can quickly access critical financial data to manage claims without delay.

Maddy summaryHB 2641 is a definitional bill that adds specific terms to existing cannabis laws, such as "acute pain," "addict," and "drug paraphernalia." It does not create new cannabis policies or affect current regulations; instead, it provides standardized definitions for enforcement and legal clarity. The bill directly affects law enforcement, healthcare providers, and courts by clarifying terminology in drug-related cases. This is a procedural update to legal terminology, not a substantive policy change regarding cannabis access or use. The bill passed committee with no opposition but contains no new provisions beyond these definitions.

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 1869 creates a Missouri grant program to help families repair or reset grave markers for deceased veterans buried in state cemeteries when markers are damaged by natural causes (like weather or erosion). Eligible applicants must be family members of veterans who were honorably discharged or died while on active duty, and they must provide proof of relationship and burial location. The program is funded through a dedicated "Veterans' Grave Marker Trust Fund," which can receive state appropriations and private donations, with unspent funds not reverting to general revenue. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants must agree to use funds solely for repairing the grave marker.

Maddy summaryHJR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri. It would require the governor to appoint judges from three nominees provided by a nonpartisan judicial commission for vacancies in the supreme court, court of appeals, and St. Louis city/Jackson County circuit courts. For other judicial circuits, voters would decide at elections whether to adopt this appointment method (instead of the current system) or maintain the existing process, with changes allowed only once every four years. The amendment must be approved by voters in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1718 sets new financial limits on lawsuits against Missouri public entities (like cities, counties, and state agencies) for injuries or property damage. It caps total liability for a single incident at $2 million and limits individual claims to $300,000 per person, excluding workers' compensation cases. The bill also prohibits punitive damages in such claims and requires annual inflation adjustments to these limits using the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis' Implicit Price Deflator. These changes directly affect public entities facing tort claims and alter how liability awards are calculated and paid.

Maddy summaryHB 1987 modifies deadlines for filing candidacy in Missouri local elections. It changes the opening filing date to 8:00 a.m. on the sixteenth Tuesday before an election (previously the seventeenth) and sets the closing date to 5:00 p.m. on the thirteenth Tuesday before the election (previously the fourteenth), with a holiday adjustment if the thirteenth Tuesday falls on a state/federal holiday. This directly affects candidates running for offices in political subdivisions or special districts that aren't covered by existing law or charter. The bill specifies these changes apply to local election filing procedures without altering ballot design or notice requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1990 creates a new criminal offense for gift card fraud in Missouri by defining "closed-loop gift cards" (cards issued for personal use at specific merchants) and establishing penalties for fraudulently obtaining or using them. The bill directly affects individuals who commit this fraud and provides clearer legal definitions for law enforcement and courts. Key provisions include defining terms like "adulterated" and "deceive" to clarify the offense, while focusing specifically on closed-loop gift cards rather than general payment methods. This replaces an existing statute to address gaps in current law regarding gift card theft and fraud. The bill does not alter penalties for other fraud types but creates a distinct legal framework for gift card-related offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1882 creates a state tax credit allowing taxpayers to claim 100% of contributions made to eligible non-profit organizations running youth police initiatives in urban areas (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau). The credit applies to tax years starting January 1, 2027, and is non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred/sold. The total annual credit amount is capped at $500,000, and the Missouri Department of Public Safety must maintain an annual list of eligible organizations on its website. The program expires automatically six years after enactment unless reauthorized by the legislature.