Rep. Bill Owen

Maddy summaryHB 2289 transfers management of state surplus property and real estate to Missouri's Office of Administration, requiring legislative approval for most property sales. It centralizes data processing and telecommunications services under the commissioner of administration, mandating standardized planning and approvals for equipment and services. Lease revenues from excess state property must be deposited into the real estate fund to cover operational costs like rent and maintenance. The bill also establishes a comprehensive state facilities plan prioritizing service efficiency and space consolidation.

Maddy summaryHB 2119 modifies Missouri's "Property Assessment Clean Energy Act" to establish a program financing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for non-residential properties. It creates "clean energy development boards" (formed by municipalities) that can offer long-term property assessments (up to 30 years) to fund projects like solar installations or building retrofits, with these assessments recorded as liens on the property. The bill excludes residential properties, requires annual reporting to municipalities and the Department of Natural Resources, and defines key terms like "energy efficiency improvement" (e.g., insulation, efficient lighting) and "renewable energy improvement" (e.g., solar, wind systems). These boards gain authority to issue bonds, collect fees, and administer the financing program under state oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 2116 modifies Missouri's tax treatment for qualified tuition programs, primarily federal 529 college savings plans. It exempts program assets, income, and refunds for qualified education expenses from state income tax, while allowing taxpayers to deduct up to $8,000 annually (or $16,000 for joint filers) from their state taxable income for contributions. Distributions not used for education expenses or transferred per federal rules would become taxable income. This bill directly affects Missouri residents who use 529 plans for education savings, providing state tax benefits tied to federal program rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 modifies Missouri's tax treatment of qualified tuition programs (like 529 education savings plans). It allows Missouri taxpayers to deduct up to $8,000 annually (or $16,000 for joint filers) from their state adjusted gross income for contributions to these programs. The bill also exempts program assets and income from state taxation, but requires that distributed funds used for non-qualified education expenses be included in taxable income. This directly affects Missouri residents using 529 plans, providing state tax benefits for education savings while specifying conditions for tax treatment.

Maddy summaryHR 44 is a Missouri House resolution (not a bill) requesting federal action to support new banks in the state. It asks the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to reduce capital requirements for new bank charters based on local county economic output and shorten the initial regulatory compliance period for new banks over their first five years. The resolution directly addresses Missouri’s loss of over 90 chartered banks since 2008, particularly impacting rural communities experiencing "banking deserts." It does not create new law but formally requests the FDIC and other federal agencies to adjust their processes to facilitate new bank establishment.

Maddy summaryHB 1258 creates two key mechanisms for addressing deteriorating properties in Missouri counties and municipalities with over one million residents. First, it allows local governments to impose a semiannual $200 registration fee on vacant residential or multi-unit commercial properties with housing code violations (after six months of vacancy), with owners able to appeal or fix issues to avoid the fee. Second, it establishes a "nuisance action" enabling neighbors within 1,200 feet or recognized neighborhood organizations to sue owners for property value damage caused by neglected properties, including court costs. Unpaid fees become liens after one year, triggering foreclosure-like procedures similar to unpaid property taxes. The bill directly affects property owners of deteriorating vacant buildings and neighbors impacted by blight.

Maddy summaryHJR 44 proposes a constitutional amendment modifying term limits for Missouri General Assembly members. It would allow legislators to serve up to 12 years in one house (House or Senate) and a maximum of 16 years total across both houses. Service before December 3, 1992, or less than one year in the House (or two years in the Senate) to complete another member's term would not count toward these limits. The bill also restricts the House Speaker to two terms and the Senate President Pro Tempore to one term.

Maddy summaryHB 885 modifies Missouri's continuing education requirements for certified public accountants (CPAs). It replaces existing rules with new provisions that cap required continuing education at 120 hours over a three-year period (no more than 40 hours in any single year), while requiring the board to consider accessibility for licensees and barriers to practicing across state lines. The bill also allows the board to grant exceptions for individual hardship and exempts CPAs actively serving in the Missouri General Assembly from annual requirements. This directly affects all licensed CPAs in Missouri who must fulfill these education standards to maintain their credentials.

Maddy summaryHB 739 modifies Missouri's legal process for nuisance lawsuits in specific home rule cities. It allows property owners within 1,200 feet of a nuisance property or neighborhood organizations (as defined in the bill) to file lawsuits seeking damages or court-ordered fixes. The bill requires a 60-day written notice to the property owner and tenant (via certified mail or posting if undeliverable) before filing, and mandates expedited court handling of these cases. It applies to home rule cities with populations between 160,000-200,000 or over 350,000, or cities outside counties. The changes replace outdated sections of law to clarify who may initiate nuisance actions and streamline the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies retirement provisions for judges in Missouri, establishing new eligibility requirements and contribution rules for those who first became judges on or after January 1, 2011. Under the new rules, judges aged 67 with at least 12 years of service or those aged 62 with at least 20 years of service may retire with benefits, while those with shorter service periods can retire at age 67 or 62 with reduced compensation proportional to their years of service. The legislation requires judges to contribute four percent of their compensation to a retirement account, with the state employer paying these contributions on their behalf and crediting interest annually based on Treasury rates. Judges who terminate employment may request a refund of their contributions and interest, though this forfeits future retirement benefits unless they return to the system and repay the amount with interest.