Rep. Jeff Vernetti

Maddy summaryHB 658 prohibits Missouri counties, cities, towns, and state agencies from using automated red light cameras and automated license plate reader systems for traffic enforcement. The bill bans installing red light cameras at intersections and using license plate readers that capture data like location, time, and license plate numbers on public roads. Exceptions allow peace officers to use such systems in patrol vehicles and permit third-party vendors to access captured plate data under specific state laws (sections 303.420-303.440). This law directly affects local governments and agencies that currently operate these automated enforcement technologies.

Maddy summaryHB 108 adds a fourth division to Missouri's 26th Judicial Circuit, which covers Camden, Laclede, Miller, Moniteau, and Morgan counties. This creates a new judicial position with its own election cycle, requiring a judge to be elected in 2026 (following a temporary governor appointment until 2027). The bill directly affects the judicial operations and representation in these five counties by expanding the circuit's structure. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences per guidelines.)

Maddy summaryHB 243 ensures that pregnancy cannot delay or prevent a court from granting a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or legal separation. It explicitly states that a court must proceed with the judgment regardless of whether one party is pregnant, removing pregnancy as a barrier to these proceedings. The bill affects individuals seeking divorce or legal separation who are pregnant, requiring courts to follow standard residency and procedural requirements without considering pregnancy status. This change applies to all divorce or separation cases, maintaining existing rules about residency, custody, and property division while clarifying that pregnancy alone does not block finalization.

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 summaryHB 967 creates a new "Division of Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund" in Missouri to support tourism marketing and promotion. The fund collects money from state appropriations, gifts, grants, and a portion of sales taxes generated by tourism-related businesses (identified by specific SIC codes like hotels, travel agencies, and attractions). It requires the Division of Tourism to submit marketing strategies to legislative committees before using funds, and limits annual deposits to no more than $3 million above the previous year's amount. The fund was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2020, and was intended to operate alongside the division's base budget. This bill directly affects Missouri's Division of Tourism by providing dedicated funding streams for its promotional activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1175, titled "Reestablishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibits Missouri state officials from enforcing federal laws, regulations, or executive orders related to firearms within Missouri. It declares that federal actions restricting firearm ownership, possession, or use in Missouri are "unauthoritative, void, and of no force," and grants Missouri exclusive authority over such matters under state law. Key provisions include imposing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation on state officials who knowingly enforce federal gun laws, allowing citizens to sue for damages, and removing sovereign immunity as a defense in such cases. The bill directly affects Missouri law enforcement officers and state agencies operating within Missouri’s borders, ensuring they cannot comply with federal firearm regulations. It does not alter Missouri’s own firearm laws but asserts state authority against federal overreach in this domain.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 reclassifies single-family homes rented for less than 30 consecutive days as "residential property" for tax purposes, instead of treating them as "transient housing." This directly affects landlords using short-term rental platforms (like Airbnb) and local property tax assessors who determine tax classifications. The bill clarifies that such rentals - subject to sales tax under Missouri law - must be taxed as residential property, not under transient housing rules. This change ensures these properties are taxed at standard residential rates rather than higher transient rates. The law takes effect upon enactment, impacting how short-term rental properties are evaluated for property tax.

Maddy summaryHB 520 amends campaign finance and financial disclosure filing requirements, primarily increasing late fees for candidates, committees, and officials who miss deadlines. It establishes tiered late fees ($10 to $100 per day) for unfiled campaign reports and financial interest statements, with notices sent via certified mail. The bill includes appeal processes for fee assessments and mandates collection procedures, including state treasurer deposits for unpaid fees. It directly affects state/local candidates, committee treasurers, and officials required to file campaign or financial disclosures. The bill passed committee but remains pending legislative action (Voted Do Pass on 2025-04-28).

Maddy summaryHB 1489 restricts the use of electronic communication devices while driving noncommercial vehicles (like personal cars) and school buses on public roads. It prohibits holding devices, texting, making calls, watching videos, or manually entering data, with exceptions for hands-free features, emergency calls, navigation, and specific commercial vehicle operations. The law allows fines up to $500 for violations, increasing with prior offenses or if occurring in school/work zones, and includes specific exemptions for school bus operators during loading/unloading and emergency personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 501 creates a tax credit program for Missouri taxpayers who donate to certified sponsors (nonprofits in the Sports Events and Tourism Association) to fund sporting events hosted in the state. Taxpayers can receive a refundable credit equal to 100% of eligible costs - like event preparation, staff, and facility retrofitting - but not construction or payments to for-profit site selectors. The credit is calculated based on actual ticket sales or participant registrations verified after the event, and applicants must submit documentation to the Missouri Department of Economic Development for certification. This directly affects certified sponsors, taxpayers making qualifying donations, and sporting events selected by organizations like the NCAA or USOPC.