Rep. Betsy Fogle

Maddy summaryHB 3427 establishes that non-compete agreements cannot be enforced against hourly wage employees. The bill specifically voids any covenant not to compete (a clause restricting work with competitors after leaving a job) for employees paid hourly wages, making such agreements unenforceable. This directly affects hourly workers in employment contracts, while leaving non-compete terms for salaried employees unaffected. The law targets a common practice that often limits job mobility for lower-wage workers.

Maddy summaryHB 3419 establishes a new minimum wage schedule that adjusts annually based on cost-of-living changes, starting at $6.50 per hour in 2007 and rising to $13.75 by January 1, 2025, then to $15.00 by 2026. It requires private employers to provide earned paid sick leave and bereavement leave, with specific eligibility rules for family members. Public employers (like government agencies) are exempt from the wage provisions after 2025 but must still follow other minimum wage rules. The bill directly affects most private-sector workers in the state, excluding certain categories like seasonal camp staff, small businesses under $500,000 annual revenue, and some government employees.

Maddy summaryHB 3021 sets a 36% annual percentage rate (APR) limit on interest and fees for short-term consumer loans of $500 or less, directly affecting lenders offering these loans. It requires such lenders to obtain a $600 annual license, prominently display the maximum APR they charge, and provide clear borrower disclosures. The bill prohibits disguised loans (like leasebacks or rebates), mandates a 5% principal reduction on each renewal, and limits renewals to six times total. Lenders violating these rules face misdemeanor charges or license suspension, with strict requirements for loan terms (14-31 days) and recordkeeping.

Maddy summaryHB 3022 modifies Missouri's empowerment scholarship program to provide state-funded accounts for eligible students. It directly affects Missouri students with disabilities (via IEPs) or from low-income households (income ≤300% of free lunch standards), and schools accepting these funds. Key provisions require participating schools to not discriminate based on race, religion, or gender identity, and ensure public schools continue receiving state/federal funding for students who use scholarships to attend non-resident schools (counted for up to five years). The law expires five years after its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 3019 establishes rules for community solar gardens, allowing multiple subscribers to share electricity generated from solar facilities. It directly affects retail electric suppliers (who must run a 2027-2029 pilot program requiring 2% of annual sales to be covered by subscriptions), community solar operators, and subscribers - including low-income households. Key provisions include defining community solar facilities (100-5,000 kW, 10+ subscribers), requiring bill credits for subscribers based on solar output, and mandating special bill credit values to ensure low-income customers save money. The bill also requires suppliers to process credits, allow subscription transfers, and report usage data in standardized formats.

Maddy summaryHB 3020 expands the list of acceptable photo identification for voting in Missouri to include student IDs from Missouri schools or colleges, military IDs, and specific documents meeting strict criteria (like matching voter registration details and showing a photograph). Voters without an acceptable ID can cast a provisional ballot but must later provide one of the listed IDs or have their signature verified against voter records for the ballot to count. The state will provide free nondriver's licenses and certain vital records (e.g., birth certificates, marriage licenses) to help voters obtain required identification. This bill directly affects all Missouri voters casting ballots in person or by absentee ballot at designated offices.

Maddy summaryHB 1321 requires counties not currently using a nonpartisan court election system to hold a vote at the next general election after August 28, 2026, to decide whether to adopt or reject the nonpartisan court plan. This applies only to counties operating under a different court election system (e.g., partisan elections). Voters in these counties will directly determine if the nonpartisan system becomes their county's standard. Counties already using the nonpartisan plan are not affected by this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 requires voters in Missouri to present specific photo identification at polling places or when voting absentee in person. It directly affects voters without one of the listed ID types (such as a Missouri driver's license, student ID from a Missouri school, or military ID) by requiring them to cast a provisional ballot and return to the polling place with acceptable ID or have their signature verified. Key provisions include expanding acceptable ID options, creating a process for provisional ballots with strict verification steps, and mandating that Missouri provide free copies of essential documents (like birth certificates or Social Security cards) to help voters obtain required ID. The bill also requires the state to post ID requirements online and covers free nondriver's licenses for qualifying voters.

Maddy summaryHB 1322 establishes a framework for community solar gardens in the state, allowing multiple subscribers to share electricity generated from a single solar facility. The bill requires retail electric suppliers to run a three-year pilot program (2026-2028) aiming for 2% of their annual electricity sales to come from community solar subscriptions, with specific rules for facility size (100-5,000 kW), minimum subscribers (10), and bill credits that offset subscribers’ electricity costs. It mandates that low-income subscribers receive additional bill credits to ensure savings, allows subscription portability if subscribers move within the same utility area, and defines key terms like "community solar facility" and "subscriber administrator." The bill also specifies that retail suppliers must process monthly bill credits based on facility output and standardized reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 1324 modifies Missouri's empowerment scholarship program by defining "qualified students" (Missouri residents with specific needs like an IEP or household income under 300% of free lunch standards) and "qualified schools" (public, charter, or private schools that don't discriminate). It requires public schools to continue counting scholarship students in their attendance records for five years if they enroll in a non-resident school, ensuring ongoing state/federal funding for the original public school. The bill also prohibits schools from changing admissions or curriculum to accept scholarship students and clarifies that participating private schools aren't considered state agents. These changes directly affect students using scholarships and participating schools in Missouri's education system.