Rep. John Hewkin

Maddy summaryHB 1783 allows Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to directly contract with Missouri-affiliated public health organizations (like national associations or institutes) to help deliver health services and manage grant programs across the state. The bill requires these contracted organizations to provide the state legislature with an annual report detailing how funds were used and including service improvement suggestions. This directly affects the Department of Health, the contracted public health organizations, and Missouri residents receiving health services. The key provision is creating a formal mechanism for the state to partner with external public health entities while adding transparency through annual reporting.

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 2189 creates a voluntary five-year vehicle registration option for owners of motor vehicles manufactured within the last six model years (e.g., 2020-2025 models for a 2026 registration year). This would allow eligible vehicle owners to pay for registration once every five years instead of annually or biennially, directly affecting most passenger car owners with relatively new vehicles. The key provision replaces the standard annual/biennial registration cycle with a five-year term for qualifying vehicles, as specified in the bill’s section 7. The change applies only to vehicles under six model years old and does not alter existing requirements for older vehicles or commercial vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 2176, titled the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Missouri state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" (including federal or state orders requiring temporary firearm seizure or confiscation). It bans the use of state or federal funds to enforce such laws and imposes a $50,000 civil penalty for violations. The bill specifically exempts firearm seizures as evidence during criminal investigations. It directly affects Missouri citizens' firearm rights and law enforcement practices by blocking enforcement of red flag laws across state and local agencies.

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 1849 modifies Missouri's unemployment benefit duration based on the state's average unemployment rate. It sets specific benefit weeks: 20 weeks if the rate is 9% or higher, decreasing to 13 weeks for rates below 6%. The rate is calculated using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' seasonally adjusted statewide data for January-March and July-September. This directly affects unemployed workers in Missouri who qualify for benefits, as their eligibility period changes monthly with economic conditions. The bill replaces prior formulas with this rate-based system, effective for benefit years beginning after its enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1851, the "Building Permit Reform Act," simplifies permit requirements for homeowners who live in and improve their own detached single-family homes. It prohibits local governments from requiring these homeowners to obtain professional licenses, certifications, or registrations for specific projects like replacing appliances, repairing interior walls, or installing flooring. The bill also allows a one-time administrative fee (up to $5,000) if the home is sold within one year of the work, sets inspection deadlines (10 business days for a 50% refund or 20 days for a waiver), and permits free permit extensions. However, it does not affect building code enforcement and excludes rental properties, gas work, and water/sewer connections from the exemption.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 419 establishes new rules to provide in-state tuition rates at Missouri public colleges and universities for military personnel and their families. It directly affects active-duty military members stationed in Missouri, their spouses, and unmarried children under 24 who enroll in eligible institutions. The bill deems military personnel serving in the Missouri National Guard or federal reserves as domiciled in Missouri for tuition purposes, requiring them to demonstrate physical presence in the state. It also specifies that this tuition benefit applies only after other federal or state aid is applied, ensuring no student receives more than the actual cost of attendance.

Maddy summaryHB 567 establishes paid sick leave requirements for Missouri employees. It requires employers with 15+ staff to provide at least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked (capped at 56 hours yearly), and employers with fewer than 15 staff to provide 1 hour per 30 hours (capped at 40 hours yearly). Employees begin accruing leave upon hire or January 1, 2026, with unused leave carrying over up to 80 hours annually. The law applies to all Missouri-based employees, including part-time and temporary workers, and covers scenarios like job transfers, rehiring, and employer succession.