Rep. Mike Costlow

Maddy summaryHB 549 requires all Missouri public school districts to implement new safety standards for every school building serving grades K-12 (called "attendance centers" in the bill). The bill mandates a standardized door numbering system for all exterior doors (starting with the main front entrance, which is not numbered), secure main entrances with visual identification for visitors, and ensures all access points are designed to be secure, maintained properly, and monitored. These requirements apply to all public school buildings owned, operated, or leased by school districts, excluding private schools, home schools, and certain other facilities. The law aims to enhance school safety through clear, visible access protocols and physical security measures.

Maddy summaryHB 1557 reclassifies theft offenses into specific felony classes (A to E) based on the type and value of stolen property. It elevates penalties for stealing high-value items like livestock over $3,000, motor vehicles, or property containing anhydrous ammonia (e.g., tank trucks), making these class B or A felonies. The bill also establishes mandatory minimum sentences for repeat livestock thefts and clarifies that stealing items like catalytic converters, firearms, court records, or property from end-of-life care facilities triggers higher penalties. It defines "stealing" to include unauthorized appropriation of property with intent to deprive the owner, with severity determined by the stolen item’s nature or value. The law applies to anyone committing theft of the specified property types or exceeding defined value thresholds.

Maddy summaryHB 1594 allows municipalities to impose a temporary hotel/motel tax of up to 5% per night on guests staying less than 31 days, but only after voter approval. The tax must be approved by a majority of voters in a general or primary election, with a specific ballot question about the rate and purpose. All revenue from this tax must be used exclusively for tourism promotion within the municipality. The bill does not apply to municipalities already charging a similar tax and requires the tax to be listed separately on guest bills. This is a procedural measure requiring public consent before implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 bans the use of pesticides and pesticide ingredients manufactured in the People's Republic of China within Missouri. This directly affects agricultural producers, businesses, and individuals using pesticides in the state. The bill prohibits any such products from being applied or sold in Missouri, targeting all pesticides and ingredients originating from China.

Maddy summaryHB 78 prohibits releasing chemicals, compounds, or apparatus into the atmosphere within Missouri with the intent to alter weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It grants Missouri's Air Conservation Commission the authority to establish enforcement standards and guidelines for this prohibition. The Department of Natural Resources may also create implementing rules, subject to state rulemaking procedures. The bill directly affects entities potentially using weather-modification technology within Missouri, establishing regulatory oversight for such activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1592 modifies Missouri's sexual offender registry requirements by defining who must register, for how long, and under what conditions. It requires individuals convicted of specific sexual offenses (like child sexual abuse, exploitation, or certain types of assault) to register with local law enforcement within three business days of conviction or release, with registration periods based on offense severity: 15 years for less severe offenses (Tier I), 25 years for moderate offenses (Tier II), and life for the most severe offenses (Tier III). The bill also allows for reduced registration periods after maintaining a clean record (no new offenses or violations) for 10 years (Tier I) or 25 years (Tier III), and permits registration fees of $10 initially and $5 per change. This directly affects individuals convicted of listed offenses, including some juveniles transferred to adult court and out-of-state registrants living or working near schools in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 1471 raises the age of consent from 17 to 18 years for sexual intercourse and sexual contact. It reclassifies statutory rape involving a person under 18 as a class D felony and adjusts penalties for child molestation offenses involving minors under 18. The bill also updates Missouri’s sex offender registration requirements, mandating tiered registration periods (15, 25, or lifetime) based on offense severity, with potential reductions for offenders maintaining a clean record. This legislation directly affects individuals aged 17-18 engaging in sexual activity with minors and those convicted of specific sex offenses requiring registration. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and referred to a committee for further review.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to grant Missouri veterans with service-connected disabilities a property tax exemption proportional to their disability rating. Specifically, veterans with less than 100% disability would see their total property taxes reduced by their exact disability percentage, while those with 100% disability would receive full exemption on both real estate and personal property. The exemption would apply to all real property used as a homestead and all personal property owned by qualifying veterans, effective January 1, 2027. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 election to take effect.

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 summaryHCR 4 designates the last full week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week" in Missouri. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public understanding of infertility, reduce stigma, and highlight the emotional, financial, and medical challenges faced by individuals and couples affected by infertility - impacting millions of Missourians. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change healthcare access; instead, it formally recognizes the week to support awareness efforts led by local and national organizations. The resolution was introduced by Representative Murray and sent to the governor for approval.