Rep. Bill Lucas

Maddy summaryHB 2535 provides property tax exemptions for certain veterans and their families starting in 2027. Disabled veterans with a 30%+ disability rating, Purple Heart recipients, and Gold Star spouses (surviving spouses of service members killed in action) receive tax relief based on disability levels, ranging from $3,000 to full exemption on their primary home. To offset lost property tax revenue, the bill increases cigarette taxes and adds new excise taxes on vaping products, tobacco paraphernalia, and hemp consumables. Revenue from these taxes funds a dedicated state fund to reimburse counties for property tax losses tied to the veteran exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1908 ensures Missouri courts can grant a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or legal separation even if one party is pregnant. The bill explicitly states that pregnancy status does not prevent a court from entering such a judgment, removing any prior barrier. Courts must still meet standard requirements, including residency, the marriage being irretrievably broken (for divorce) or not (for legal separation), and arrangements for children and property. This change directly affects individuals in Missouri family court cases involving pregnancy who seek divorce or legal separation.

Maddy summaryHB 2323 establishes Missouri's "Domestic Abuse Offender Registration and Accountability Act," requiring high-risk domestic abuse offenders (those with two prior convictions or a high-risk assessment) to register with the Department of Public Safety. Offenders must provide detailed personal, residential, employment, and vehicle information within 72 hours of conviction or release, update details within 10 days of changes, and maintain registration for five years post-sentence. The law mandates court hearings before registration orders, restricts database access to law enforcement for victim safety (not public disclosure), and requires victim notification before sharing offender data. Violations carry civil fines for first offenses and misdemeanor penalties for repeat failures, with biennial reports to the legislature on registry effectiveness.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 2321, the "AI-Generated Content Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2026," would require explicit written consent before publishing AI-generated content that alters a person's appearance, voice, or likeness. Violations could result in fines up to $110,000 or up to five years in prison, with higher penalties for sexual or pornographic content without consent. The law exempts artistic, educational, or research content if clearly labeled as AI-generated, and platforms hosting such content face increased fines. It also mandates privacy safeguards for verification systems, prohibiting third parties from retaining or selling biometric data. The Attorney General must report on the law's effectiveness by August 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 1917 creates a new process for landowners in Missouri to seek detachment from a public water supply district. It allows owners of 50% or more of a land parcel not receiving water service to petition a circuit court for detachment if four conditions are met: no residents live there, no district water infrastructure is present, no district bonds are outstanding, and the land is in a qualifying county (with charter government, multiple water districts, or adjacent to a city in another county). The bill requires petitioners to submit legal descriptions, sworn affidavits, and certified mail notifications to the district and county offices. If county or district authorities fail to respond within 30 days on required checks, the court treats their silence as meeting the condition. This directly affects landowners seeking to exit a water district without service.

Maddy summaryHB 2325 would increase sentencing for individuals convicted of specific crimes when they intentionally wore face coverings to hide their identity during the offense. It applies only to misdemeanors or felonies involving theft, assault, or property damage exceeding $500, allowing courts to elevate the offense class by one level. The law includes exemptions for religious, medical, or occupational use of coverings, or if concealment was incidental and not intended to aid the crime. It does not create new offenses but modifies sentencing for existing crimes when concealment intent is proven.

Maddy summaryHB 1814 creates a new offense called "grooming of a minor" in Missouri law, targeting adults (18+ years) who engage in a pattern of conduct - such as repeated sexual communications or acts - with minors (17 or younger) that a reasonable person would interpret as preparing them for sexual activity. The law classifies this as a class B felony (or class A if sexual conduct occurs), requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence with no probation or parole eligibility. It includes exemptions for age-appropriate relationships (within 4 years), licensed professionals acting within their role, and family members providing standard care, provided no sexual intent is shown. The bill also mandates restitution for victims covering mental health, lost income, and relocation costs, and requires state guidance for the public and professionals on identifying and responding to grooming.

Maddy summaryHB 2551 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming of a minor," defining it as a pattern of sexual acts or communications by someone 18+ directed at a minor under 17, with intent to prepare them for sexual conduct. It allows prosecutors to prove intent through context and frequency of communications (not direct statements) and includes exceptions for teachers, parents, and minor age gaps (up to 4 years older) without exploitation. Violations are punishable as a serious felony (class B or A if sexual conduct occurs), requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence with no probation, and mandating court-ordered restitution for victims covering mental health, lost income, or relocation. The bill also requires state guidance for the public and professionals on recognizing grooming and supporting victims.

Maddy summaryHB 594 replaces Missouri's tax calculation rules for individual income tax by adding specific items back to federal adjusted gross income. It directly affects Missouri residents filing state income tax returns by increasing taxable income for certain deductions, such as federal tax refunds related to pandemic credits (excluding specific pandemic relief), interest on certain government bonds, and business deductions like accelerated depreciation. The bill also modifies how net operating loss carryforwards and out-of-state property taxes are treated in state tax calculations. These changes adjust Missouri's taxable income upward for affected taxpayers without altering the state's tax rates.