Rep. Cameron Parker

Maddy summaryHB 2968 modifies Missouri's judicial circuit structure by reorganizing judgeships in specific counties. It primarily converts two associate judge positions (treatment court and family court commissioners) in the 23rd judicial district (Jackson County) into full circuit judge positions effective January 1, 2007, adding two new divisions (5 and 6). The bill also adjusts election schedules for judges in multiple districts, including setting new election years for divisions in Jackson, Clay, and other counties. These changes streamline court operations by formalizing existing roles and aligning staffing with county populations. The bill directly affects judicial staffing in 13 Missouri counties across seven judicial districts.

Maddy summaryHB 3116 changes Missouri's civil court filing rules, allowing lawsuits to be filed in counties where the cause of action occurred, where a defendant resides, or where a victim resides in identity theft cases. It updates discovery procedures to let courts order document production and permit parties to use prior statements without special justification. The bill also revises the priority order for paying claims in receivership cases, listing eight categories from secured creditors to unsecured claims like wages or taxes. These changes directly affect plaintiffs, defendants, and courts handling civil litigation in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 2865 modifies how "reasonable fees and expenses" are calculated in legal challenges against Missouri state agencies. It directly affects small businesses (with net worth under $7 million and 500 employees or fewer) and individuals (net worth under $2 million) who sue or are sued in administrative proceedings. Key provisions cap attorney fees at $75 per hour (unless special factors justify more) and limit expert witness payments to the state's highest rate for similar cases. The bill applies to most agency disputes but excludes cases involving child custody, driver's licenses, or tax matters.

Maddy summaryHB 2967 establishes the "Missouri Expungement Fund" to support clearing criminal records. The fund, managed by the state treasurer, accepts gifts, donations, and grants (not general tax revenue) and earns interest on investments. It directs three state agencies - the Office of State Courts Administrator, Department of Public Safety, and IT Services - to use appropriated funds for technology systems and personnel costs related to expunging or sealing criminal records, including bulk expungement efforts. Funds must remain in the dedicated account and cannot revert to general revenue at the end of each biennium.

Maddy summaryHB 2926 grants private contractors, subcontractors, and their employees working under Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) contracts the same legal immunity from negligence lawsuits as government entities. This protection applies to work performed within MoDOT-approved plans and specifications, starting from the official notice to proceed and continuing until MoDOT formally accepts the completed project. The bill specifically extends this immunity to cover claims arising from their work, subject to existing limitations on liability awards. It directly affects contractors hired for MoDOT projects by shielding them from tort claims related to their work under approved contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 2863 creates a new court process allowing trust beneficiaries (interested persons) to seek a preliminary ruling before challenging a trust. It lets them file a verified petition asking if their claim would trigger a "no-contest clause" (which could cause loss of trust assets). The court must then determine this based on the trust document and verified facts, before the beneficiary proceeds with their claim. The bill specifically lists 11 situations where no-contest clauses cannot be enforced, such as challenging trustee accounting or jurisdiction. This directly affects beneficiaries who might otherwise risk forfeiting trust assets by contesting terms.

Maddy summaryHB 3161 would have allowed spouses to take over utility accounts without extra fees or deposits when the original account holder dies, is deported, or is jailed for over 60 days, provided the account was in good standing. Exceptions would apply if the spouse had unpaid bills (within 5 years), interfered with service, or failed to provide required ID or documentation like a marriage certificate. The bill also permitted utilities to require installment payments for any required deposits. However, this legislation was withdrawn by the House on February 4, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1067 extends legal protection from negligence lawsuits to private contractors, subcontractors, and their employees working under Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) government contracts. Specifically, it grants these contractors the same immunity from liability claims as MoDOT itself, meaning they cannot be sued for negligent acts or omissions while performing work within the scope of their MoDOT contract. This applies to all negligence claims except where contractors are already covered by separate statutes (like Section 210.114). The bill directly affects contractors hired by MoDOT, changing their legal exposure for work-related negligence claims.

Maddy summaryHB 180 modifies Missouri's estate planning laws to establish new rules for trust administration and electronic wills. It allows trustees to transfer a trust's management location to another state or country with 60 days' notice to beneficiaries, detailing reasons and potential legal changes. The bill also creates a framework for valid electronic wills, requiring witnesses in physical or real-time electronic presence and enabling remote online notarization for self-proving affidavits. This directly affects trust beneficiaries, trustees, and individuals creating wills, modernizing estate planning procedures while maintaining core legal standards.

Maddy summaryHB 181 repeals the expiration date (December 31, 2025) for Missouri’s Basic Civil Legal Services Fund, making the funding permanent. The fund provides legal aid to low-income Missourians meeting federal income guidelines for civil matters like housing, family law, and benefits. It collects court filing fees and other public/private funds to distribute annually to legal services organizations, which must use the money solely for eligible clients under federal rules. The bill does not change eligibility criteria, funding formulas, or operational rules - only removes the sunset provision.