Rep. Dane Diehl

Maddy summaryHB 1520 expands Missouri's urban farm tax credit to include small-scale specialty crop farms (growing 3+ crop types on ≥50% of land) located in rural food deserts, while adding a new credit for these farms starting in 2026. It creates a 50% tax credit on eligible construction or improvement expenses (capped at $10,000 annually per farm), with annual program limits of $1.5 million for urban farms and $1.5 million for specialty crop farms after 2025. The bill defines "food desert" as areas with high poverty or low income plus limited grocery access, and specifies that credits apply only to farms focused on public food distribution (not personal use). The program expires on December 31, 2028, unless renewed by the legislature. (Note: The bill does not establish a tax credit for grocery stores, as incorrectly stated in the query.)

Maddy summaryHB 914 increases base salaries for Missouri circuit clerks based on county classification, with specific rates effective September 1, 2025. For example, clerks in first-class counties (excluding dual-city counties) will earn $94,330 annually after 2025, up from $36,145, while third-class county clerks (excluding Marion County) will move from $27,218 to $85,565. Salaries must be adjusted annually to match judicial department raises and cannot fall below the previous year's amount. The bill also requires clerks to collect a $10 annual fee for child support payments (in Marion County) and specifies that all compensation replaces fees paid to the state or local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 727 would allow Bates County voters to approve a 1% sales tax on retail purchases to support local hospital operations. If approved by majority vote in a special election, the tax must be listed separately on receipts, with all revenue deposited into a dedicated "County Hospital Operations Sales Tax Fund" for hospital use only. Voters could later repeal the tax through petitions (requiring 10% of registered voters) or elections, and any remaining funds in the dedicated account would continue supporting hospitals even after repeal.

Maddy summaryHB 1572 authorizes specific cities in Nevada meeting defined population and county criteria (e.g., cities with 3,000-16,000 residents in certain county settings) to propose a sales tax of up to 0.5% for public safety. Cities must first gain voter approval via a ballot measure requiring majority support before implementing the tax. Revenue collected must be used exclusively for public safety services - including police, fire, and emergency medical equipment, salaries, and facilities - and deposited into a dedicated trust fund. The tax is in addition to existing sales taxes but cannot be implemented without voter consent, and any leftover funds must continue funding public safety after the tax ends.

Maddy summaryHB 533 prevents fire protection districts from applying certain fire safety regulations to agricultural buildings. The bill directly affects farmers and agricultural operations by prohibiting districts from requiring permits or imposing fire safety rules for the construction, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings (like barns or storage structures). Its key provision explicitly states that fire prevention ordinances "shall not be exercised" to regulate farm structures, removing a potential regulatory burden. The bill focuses on clarifying that standard fire safety requirements do not apply to typical agricultural facilities. This is a targeted policy change affecting rural property owners, not a broad legislative overhaul.

Maddy summaryHB 534 modifies Supreme Court Rule 52.08 to clarify procedures for class action lawsuits. It updates the requirements for certifying a class action, including stricter standards for when courts can approve such cases and clearer rules for notifying potential class members about their rights to opt out. The bill specifically addresses how courts must define the class, appoint attorneys, and provide notice in cases where individual claims might be resolved separately. This procedural change directly affects courts, plaintiffs, defendants, and individuals participating in class action lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHB 855 modifies Missouri's "Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant" program to provide state-funded grants for eligible residents pursuing qualifying education or training. It directly affects Missouri residents aged 25+ or those not enrolled in school for two years, with income limits of $100,000 (joint) or $50,000 (single) adjusted annually for inflation after 2026. The grants cover related educational costs (like tools and books) for programs addressing occupational shortages, requiring enrollment in approved institutions or apprenticeships. Eligibility includes residency, income thresholds, and maintaining a 2.5 GPA for renewals, with grants expiring after four semesters or a bachelor's degree.

Maddy summaryHB 720 creates Missouri's State Loan Repayment Program (MOSLRP) to help healthcare professionals repay student loans in exchange for working in underserved areas. It directly affects qualified professionals including doctors (allopathic and osteopathic), dentists, nurses (including nurse practitioners and midwives), psychologists, social workers, counselors, pharmacists, and chiropractors (once federal guidelines exist). The program funds repayments for loan principal, interest, and related expenses - up to National Health Service Corps limits - for each year of service in designated shortage areas, such as regions with physician shortages, mental health gaps, or post-disaster needs. Administered by the Department of Health and Senior Services, the program uses a dedicated state fund financed by recovered payments and penalties, requiring participants to maintain licensure and fulfill service contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 669 creates a nonrefundable tax credit for eligible Missouri rail entities, allowing them to claim 50% of qualified railroad track maintenance or new rail infrastructure costs against their state income tax. It directly affects Class II/III Missouri railroads and owners/lessees of rail sidings/industrial spurs, with annual caps of $4.5 million for track work and $10 million for new infrastructure projects. The credit can be transferred to eligible customers or vendors and carried forward for up to five years, but claims exceeding annual limits are processed in order of submission. This policy changes tax treatment by incentivizing rail infrastructure investment within Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 1540 changes how personal injury lawsuits are handled in Missouri by implementing a "comparative negligence" standard. It states that if a plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault for their own injury, they recover nothing. Otherwise, their damages are reduced proportionally to their share of fault, and courts must calculate fault percentages for all parties involved, including multiple defendants. The law applies to cases occurring on or after August 28, 2025.