Rep. Mike Jones

Maddy summaryHB 2465 amends Missouri's definition of "eligible employee" under the Small Employer Health Insurance Availability Act. It specifies that an eligible employee must work a full-time schedule of 30+ hours per week, including sole proprietors, partners, and independent contractors covered under a small employer's health plan. The change explicitly excludes part-time, temporary, and substitute workers from eligibility for small employer health insurance programs. This adjustment affects small employers (typically those with fewer than 50 employees) and their workers seeking coverage under this state insurance program.

Maddy summaryHB 1756 designates the first week of June each year as "June's Week" in Missouri to honor June, a Missouri child with a rare pediatric cancer (ATRT-B), and to raise public awareness about rare pediatric diseases. The bill encourages Missourians to participate in events that promote early symptom recognition and support families affected by these conditions. It is a symbolic observance with no new funding or regulatory changes, solely focused on commemoration and awareness. This is a procedural resolution, not a substantive policy bill.

Maddy summaryHB 3220 modifies learner's permit rules for drivers under 16. It requires applicants to complete 40 hours of supervised driving (including 10 nighttime hours) with parental permission, and mandates accompaniment by a licensed adult aged 21+ (or specific alternatives like instructors or designated relatives). The bill also requires a "PERMIT DRIVER" sticker on vehicles and verifies U.S. residency for permit applicants. These changes directly affect teen drivers and their supervising adults, focusing on structured training and safety compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 3157 establishes a statewide mobile food vendor license that replaces local permits, directly affecting vendors operating food carts or trucks and local governments. It requires a single application to the Department of Health and Senior Services for all mobile units, including health inspections and fees paid to a public health fund. Vendors with this license can operate anywhere in Missouri without additional local permits or licenses. The law prohibits local authorities from creating rules that conflict with these state licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2589 requires owners of noncommercial motor vehicles registered in Missouri to display only one license plate instead of two starting August 28, 2026. Specifically, owners with a front license plate on that date must surrender it to the Missouri Department of Revenue within 90 days. The bill affects all noncommercial vehicle owners by changing the standard plate requirement from dual plates to a single plate, aligning with existing rules for commercial vehicles. It does not alter registration fees or other vehicle-specific requirements. This change applies only to noncommercial vehicles, excluding commercial motor vehicles, which continue to follow separate plate regulations.

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 2032 requires companies operating "AI companion" chatbots in Missouri to implement strict age verification before users can access them. These chatbots are defined as AI systems designed to simulate emotional interactions like friendship or therapy, not limited-purpose tools. Covered entities must: (1) require user accounts, (2) verify ages using government IDs or reliable third-party methods (not just birth dates), and (3) periodically re-verify users. The bill prohibits designing chatbots that risk encouraging minors to engage in sexual content or self-harm, with fines up to $100,000 per violation. It applies to all such chatbots operating within Missouri, effective August 2026 for existing accounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1749 requires Missouri state agencies and local governments to give a three-point preference in contract bidding to veteran-owned businesses that are based in Missouri or maintain Missouri offices. It defines "honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprises" (including sole proprietors, partnerships, or corporations with 51% veteran ownership) and "service-disabled veteran businesses" (with similar ownership requirements). The bill sets a goal for 3% of state contracts to go to these businesses, but exempts agencies if no qualified veteran-owned bidders submit proposals for a specific contract. This policy change directly affects Missouri-based veteran entrepreneurs seeking state government contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 3490 allows cities, towns, and counties to create historic preservation commissions through local ordinances. These commissions can survey historic sites, recommend landmark designations, review construction and alterations in historic areas, provide technical assistance to property owners, and develop preservation plans integrated with local planning. The bill directly affects local governments and property owners in designated historic districts by establishing formal processes for preserving historic resources. Key provisions include requiring commissions to maintain registers of landmarks, recommend preservation incentives, and review projects that impact historic integrity. The bill does not apply to college/university properties in large cities (over 400,000 residents across multiple counties).

Maddy summaryHB 2418 creates the "Missouri Crime Victims Fund" to provide dedicated funding for crime victim services. The fund, managed by the state treasurer, accepts state appropriations and donations from public or private sources. It ensures leftover funds at the end of each biennium stay in the fund (not revert to general revenue) and requires all money to be used by local organizations eligible for federal Victims of Crime Act grants, for the same purposes those federal grants cover. This bill directly affects Missouri organizations providing victim assistance services by aligning state funding with existing federal grant requirements.