Rep. Terri Violet

Maddy summaryHB 2072 revises Missouri's definition of fourth-degree assault by specifying seven distinct scenarios that constitute the offense, such as recklessly causing injury, placing someone in fear of immediate harm, or knowingly causing offensive physical contact with a person with a disability. It adjusts penalties: most violations remain class A misdemeanors, but causing offensive contact (subdivision 6) or physical pain to a "special victim" (subdivision 7) escalates penalties based on prior offenses - ranging from class C misdemeanors to class D felonies for repeat violations. For subdivision 7 violations, the bill mandates minimum incarceration periods (6 months for first offenses, 1 year for repeat) with no fines or probation until served. This directly affects individuals committing assault, particularly those targeting vulnerable victims or with prior assault records.

Maddy summaryHB 1831 creates new safety rules for children under 10 riding as passengers on motorcycles or motortricycles in Missouri. It requires motorcycles to have a proper passenger seat and mandates that children must be able to place both feet on foot pegs to ride as a passenger (with medical exemptions allowed). The bill also requires all under-10 passengers to wear protective headgear meeting state standards. These provisions, nicknamed "Calvin's Law," take effect January 1, 2027.

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 summaryHB 2273 establishes a new "Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training" to standardize and improve training for professionals who interact with trafficking victims. The committee, composed of representatives from law enforcement, child advocacy, victim services, and medical centers, will create annual training guidelines and produce digital training materials for professions required to complete such training under existing laws. This bill directly affects state agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and child advocacy organizations that must provide or receive trafficking training. The committee's work will replace outdated training requirements with updated standards, effective January 1, 2027, and expire December 31, 2031. The bill does not create new criminal penalties but focuses on coordinating and modernizing existing training obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1829 requires municipal clerks in Missouri to maintain physical copies of a municipality's general ordinances. If a municipality's ordinances are not available online for free public inspection, clerks must keep at least three physical copies on file. If the ordinances are available online at no cost, clerks only need to keep one physical copy. This bill directly affects municipal clerks and ensures public access to physical copies of local laws during business hours. The law replaces an existing statute to clarify these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2672 creates the "Missouri Disabled Veterans Personal Property Tax Credit Act," allowing counties to offer a tax credit on personal property taxes for qualifying disabled veterans who own up to two vehicles. The credit equals the veteran's U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating (up to 100%), directly benefiting Missouri veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability rating who reside in adopting counties. Counties must voluntarily adopt the credit via local ordinance, and the credit reduces the veteran's tax bill without changing the vehicle's assessed value or tax rate. Veterans must provide annual proof of disability rating and vehicle ownership, and the credit does not apply to taxes for the blind pension fund. Counties decide whether to implement the credit, with no requirement for statewide adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 2362 creates a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans, reducing their primary residence property taxes by a percentage equal to their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating (e.g., a 50% rating reduces taxes by 50%). It directly affects Missouri residents who are disabled veterans (with VA-certified disability ratings), own their primary residence, and file annual applications with VA documentation by April 1. The exemption is proportional to the veteran’s disability rating (up to 100% for 100% rating) and extends to surviving spouses who retain ownership and residency without remarrying. To qualify, applicants must submit proof of disability rating, ownership, and primary residence occupancy each year.

Maddy summaryHB 2588 creates the "Missouri Disabled Veterans Homestead Tax Credit Act," allowing Missouri counties to offer a real property tax credit to eligible disabled veterans who own their primary residence. It directly affects veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, whose primary home has a market value of $500,000 or less. The credit equals all local property taxes paid (excluding state blind pension fund levies) on the qualified residence, is non-refundable, and carries over to a surviving spouse who remains in the home and doesn't remarry. Counties must adopt the program, and veterans must elect to participate; it does not reduce assessed property value or affect bonded indebtedness calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.