Rep. Donnie Brown

Maddy summaryHB 169 modifies Missouri's definition of "cotton trailer" in transportation law. It specifically changes the speed limit for these trailers from 40 mph to 65 mph when transporting cotton between fields or to market. The bill repeals and replaces two existing legal definitions to clarify that cotton trailers are designed for this purpose at the new speed limit. This change directly affects cotton farmers and transporters who use specialized trailers for moving cotton. The key policy change is the increased allowable speed for cotton trailer operations.

Maddy summaryHB 204 creates tax credits for employers and workers related to engineering degrees. Employers can claim credits for reimbursing tuition (up to 50% of reimbursed amount, capped at 50% of average program tuition) and for paying compensation (10% of salary, up to $15,000 annually or $75,000 total per worker) to new engineering graduates hired after January 1, 2026. Workers themselves receive a $2,500 annual tax credit for five consecutive years (capped at $12,500 total) for holding a qualifying engineering degree from an accredited program. The bill applies only to engineering degrees accredited by ABET or regional bodies, with credits valid through 2031.

Maddy summaryHB 1315 restricts health care facilities from requesting non-emergent ambulance transport between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for patients without a life-threatening condition or time-critical diagnosis. It directly affects hospitals and ambulance services operating with 24-hour employee shifts (defined as "covered emergency ambulance services"). The bill includes an exception allowing requests during those hours if an emergency department is at 80% capacity or higher, regardless of patient condition. Exemptions apply to air ambulances, hospital-owned services, and services with shorter employee shifts (under 16 hours). The law aims to prevent unnecessary ambulance use for non-urgent cases during overnight hours.

Maddy summaryHB 173 establishes salary schedules for prosecuting attorneys in Missouri counties classified as "third class," based on the county's assessed property valuation. Full-time prosecutors receive pay equal to associate circuit judges, while part-time salaries range from $37,000 to $55,000 depending on valuation (e.g., $37,000 for counties with $18-40.9 million in valuation). The bill requires prosecutors to complete 20 hours of annual approved training to earn an additional $2,000, with training costs reimbursable by counties, and mandates state reimbursement of 30% of salaries for third-class counties. This affects all prosecuting attorneys in third-class counties, including city circuit attorneys not within a county.

Maddy summaryHB 1375 allows construction material transporters to carry loads up to 10% heavier than standard weight limits when moving specific materials (like asphalt, concrete, or raw materials such as sand and gravel) between production sites and construction projects. This applies only to non-interstate roads, requires vehicles to be safely maintained and not exceed the manufacturer's weight rating, and prohibits operation on bridges with lower weight limits or above 30 mph on bridges. The bill directly affects construction companies and transporters moving these materials within Missouri. It does not change general weight rules but creates a limited exception for efficiency in the construction supply chain.

Maddy summaryHB 171 would allow specific qualifying counties (based on population thresholds) to impose a 5% tax on hotel and motel room charges for transient guests, but only after voters approve it in an election. The tax would be listed separately on guest bills, with 50% of the revenue funding local law enforcement and 50% supporting tourism promotion. Counties must submit the tax proposal to voters via a ballot measure asking if they approve the tax, requiring majority approval to take effect. The bill applies only to counties meeting defined population criteria and does not take effect without voter consent.

Maddy summaryHB 172 establishes a new salary formula for county sheriffs in Missouri counties of the third classification. It sets sheriff pay as a percentage (ranging from 45% to 65%) of an associate circuit judge's salary, based on the county's assessed valuation. The bill also requires sheriffs to complete 20 hours of approved annual training to receive an additional $2,000, and mandates the state reimburse 30% of third-class county sheriffs' salaries. These provisions replace prior compensation rules and prevent salary reductions from the previous year.

Maddy summaryHB 927 designates June as "Fathership Month" in Missouri to promote awareness of fathers' roles in children's lives and establishes the "Missouri Fathership Project" within the Department of Social Services. The bill creates a grant program to fund community organizations that hire "fathership project specialists" who help fathers rebuild relationships with children, navigate court systems, and overcome barriers to reunification. These specialists serve as direct liaisons for fathers in family court cases, developing personalized plans to address relationship breakdowns and support compliance with court-ordered case plans. The initiative directly affects fathers seeking to reconnect with children, particularly those involved in family court or child support cases, and is funded through state appropriations and dedicated grants.

Maddy summaryHB 168 creates a $1,500 annual STEM grant for Missouri students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields. It directly affects students who qualify for Missouri’s Access Missouri financial aid program and are enrolled in an approved STEM program at a participating Missouri college or university. To receive the grant, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and stay enrolled in a STEM program, with a total cap of $6,000 per student. The grant is renewable each year but ends if students earn a bachelor’s degree, complete required credit hours, or exceed enrollment limits at two-year or four-year institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 167 creates a process for the state's Division of Facilities Management to establish "master agreements" with architecture, engineering, and land-surveying firms for ongoing, as-needed services. These agreements allow the state to hire qualified firms for projects under $100,000 each, with a total annual value capped at $1 million. The bill requires a public qualification process (including 10 days online notice and two newspaper ads) and sets master agreements for no longer than two years. Each specific project under the agreement is then finalized through a separate "task order" outlining scope and cost. This directly affects state agencies and service providers by streamlining procurement for smaller projects.