Maddy summaryHJR 153 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri courts. It would replace current election-based selection with a system where the governor appoints judges (with Senate approval) from a list of nominees recommended by a nonpartisan judicial commission. The amendment also establishes a new seven-year term for all judges, including circuit and associate circuit judges, instead of varying terms under current law. Voters in certain counties could later choose through a ballot measure whether to maintain this appointment system or revert to elections. This change would affect all judges serving in Missouri's circuit courts, associate circuit courts, and higher courts, with the proposal requiring voter approval in the 2026 election.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1797 updates Missouri's accounting laws by revising definitions and licensing requirements for certified public accountants (CPAs). It replaces outdated terms with new definitions (like "attest services" and "peer review") and requires CPA exam applicants to hold a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration starting June 2021. This directly affects CPAs, accounting firms, and individuals seeking licensure in Missouri by clarifying professional standards and raising educational thresholds for exam eligibility. The bill focuses on modernizing regulatory language and alignment with national accounting standards, without changing core practice rules.
Maddy summaryHB 1759 modifies how Missouri counties assess personal and real property taxes. It lowers the personal property assessment rate from 33.3% to 30% of current market value for most properties starting in 2027, while maintaining specific lower rates for items like solar panels (5%), historic vehicles (5%), and agricultural crops (0.5%). The bill also updates real property assessment rules, including a provision reducing assessments for airport-related properties where private parties funded improvements. These changes directly affect property owners, county assessors, and local governments managing tax assessments across Missouri.
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 1919 changes Missouri's requirement for employers to file wage tax information returns electronically. Starting January 1, 2027, employers with at least 10 employees must submit these returns electronically by January 31 each year, using the same file specifications as required by the Social Security Administration. This applies to employers who withhold wages and would otherwise be required to file similar returns with the IRS. Employers granted an IRS waiver for electronic filing automatically receive the same waiver for Missouri filings.
Maddy summaryHB 1762 modifies Missouri's income tax rules for retirement benefits, primarily affecting taxpayers receiving private pension income. It increases the maximum deductible amount for retirement benefits from private sources: $6,000 annually for tax years 2002-2026, rising to $12,000 annually starting in 2027. The bill specifically includes 401(k) plans, IRAs, and other private retirement arrangements (but excludes Roth IRAs) in the deduction calculation. Deduction limits apply based on filing status (e.g., single, married filing jointly) and income thresholds, with higher limits for lower-income taxpayers.
Maddy summaryHB 1766 modifies how local governments adjust property tax rates when property valuations change. It requires counties, cities, and school districts to revise tax rates for different property types (like residential or commercial) to maintain the same total tax revenue as the previous year, excluding certain properties such as railroads and utilities. The bill sets limits on rate increases, preventing them from exceeding voter-approved ceilings or a 5% annual inflation cap. This ensures local governments collect consistent revenue after valuation changes while adhering to constitutional and legal constraints.
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 1607 would require K-12 schools and colleges to determine athletic eligibility based on a student's biological sex as recorded on their official birth certificate or another government record (correcting only clerical errors). It prohibits students from competing in sports designated for the opposite sex unless no comparable sport is available for their sex. Schools violating this rule would lose state funding, and affected students or parents could seek legal remedies. The bill expires in 2027 and is currently pending in committee.
Maddy summaryHB 45 modifies Missouri's "circuit breaker" property tax credit by increasing the maximum credit amount and adjusting how income thresholds phase out eligibility. It directly affects Missouri homeowners aged 65+, disabled veterans, or disabled residents who pay property taxes on their primary residence. Key changes include raising the income limits for qualifying and modifying the step-by-step income reduction increments, making the credit accessible to more households within the program's framework. The bill does not expand eligibility categories but adjusts existing rules to provide greater relief for moderate-income residents facing property tax burdens.